[vahid]

Official news from the club: Gianluca Zambrotta is a Milan player


-My first topic in Milanfan.com (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Tennie]

from: http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/blogs/sb1.html

The red and black kingdom is in raptures over Ronaldinho. And avuncular Coach Carletto Ancelotti has praised midfield dynamo Mathieu Flamini. But little fanfare has greeted the arrival of another star. Where is the excitement surrounding Gianluca Zambrotta’s signing? Clearly, his Barcelona misadventure has damaged his reputation.

Was World Cup 2006 that long ago? Fabio Cannavaro won the plaudits in Germany. But for my money, the bandy-legged fella from Como was Italy’s star.

Zambro’s performance in the quarter-final against the Ukraine was the best by any full-back in any World Cup game. He executed all three fundamental aspects of football. He stopped a goal, blocking the ball on the line. He made a goal, penetrating the Ukraine penalty box to cross for Luca Toni. And he scored a goal, rasping in the brilliant opener.

He impressed in the semi and Final too. But since that competition, something has happened to the man with a marathon runner’s lungs and lovingly-maintained facial hair.

It’s as if the Zambro that went to Catalonia was a clone. He looked and sounded like Italy’s all-conquering No 19, but the zip went out of his game. The right flank was no longer his private sprinting track. There was industry, but little cutting edge.

Perhaps, like Cannavaro, he couldn’t adjust to La Liga’s attack-orientated style. It can’t have helped that the man in front of him, mercurial wisp Lionel Messi, was spared of defensive duties. Zambro had to reduce his raids.

Zambrotta’s ghastly errors against Manchester United in the Champions League, and Romania at Euro 2008, were out of character. They confirmed his rustiness. But he’s not an old man. If any club can coax more golden seasons out of the 31-year-old, it’s the Rossoneri.

Milan’s defence has trophy-winning potential. Alessandro Nesta suffers fewer niggles since he quit the Azzurri. Fixture management and cod liver oil willing, Paolo Maldini can partner Nesta. Marek Jankulovski isn’t at their level, but he is a decent left-back. Add a re-invigorated Zambrotta at right-back, then put the indefatigable Flamini in front of them.

The Scudetto and UEFA Cup may be San Siro-bound. It’s about time we saw Zambro on a winners’ podium again

Forza Zamborghini! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/96.gif)

[acid911]

Forza Zamborghini!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/king.gif)