[misha]

FOR close on 16 months, Zeljko Kalac, by his own admission, was nothing more than a glorified cheerleader for Italian giant AC Milan.

While delighted to be at the famous Serie A club, the towering goalkeeper was resigned to the fact that the imposing presence of Brazilian star Dida would relegate him to picking up the occasional bit-part roles in minor competitions such as the Copa Italia.

All he could rely on, at best, was a game here or there in the Serie A whenever Dida was injured or was rested because of a heavy club and international workload.

It certainly proved that way in the first 15 months, with the Australian reduced to just four matches, two in the Serie A in the 2005-2006 season and two in the Copa Italia this season.

A lesser player would have been tempted to chuck it in and seek shelter at a smaller club and thus at least guarantee himself regular match appearances, especially given he was involved in a fierce tussle with Mark Schwarzer for the Australia goalkeeping spot leading up to the World Cup.

Kalac, though, never thought of giving up. He looked on being at AC Milan as a "privilege and an honour".

"Players around the world dream about being at a club like Milan," he said in an interview four months ago. "I can't be unhappy being here. No way. It is exciting to be part of such a famous outfit."

Kalac's patience and determination has paid off, for the cheerleader has now become the cheered.

A serious knee injury to Dida that will sideline him for at least two months has thrust Kalac into the spotlight and he is determined to stay there.

Having sat on the bench for so long, he is now in the early stages of playing eight matches in the space of four weeks.

It started with a 1-0 win over Messina in the Serie A on November 25, followed by a Copa Italia 2-1 win over Brescia, a 2-2 draw in the Serie A with Cagliari last Sunday and a Champions League match against French club Lille on Wednesday.

"The famine has turned in to a feast," Kalac said this week as he prepared for the game against Lille, which the six-time European champion subsequently lost 2-0. It had already qualified as group winner for the next stage.

"That's what happens in football. One minute you are wondering if you'll ever get to play again, then next thing you are wondering how you are going to cope with the workload.

"Still, I know what position I'd rather be in."

Kalac admitted that the long stretch "twiddling my thumbs" had played with his mind a little.

"The doubts do creep in," he said. "It's only natural. You start wondering whether you'd still cut it on the field when you get the chance. It can be tough.

"You train and train and train, but you know, no matter how well you do, there is going to be nothing to show for it because you will still be on the bench."

The hardest part for Kalac has been adapting from the small field games at training to the big picture of a serious match.

"Strange as it may sound, it takes a bit of getting used to when you finally get to a play game because you have been so conditioned to training in tight situations in small-sided games," he said.

But it did not take the 33-year-old Kalac, who has been something of a lucky charm for Milan whenever he has played, long to adjust.

He was man of the match by making a string of spectacular saves in the draw with Cagliari last week.

"I got the highest marks (seven out of 10) of all the players in all the newspaper ratings, so I was happy with that," Kalac said. "My form has been pretty good and I think the goalkeeping coaches and the boss are happy with me."

Kalac, who has another year of his contract to go, says the return to playing has done wonders for him.

"I'm a rejuvenated man," he said. "I'm excited and happy. I have this renewed energy and I feel like I'm starting my career all over again. It's a weird feeling, but one I am enjoying."

Despite now playing regularly, Kalac says he is not thinking about overturning his decision to retire from international duty. He played his last game for the Socceroos in a friendly against Paraguay in Brisbane on October 7.

"No, that was it for me. I've had my time at that level," he said. "I enjoyed being part of the Socceroos and I don't have too many regrets. I played at the World Cup finals and that was a highlight for me."

Dida's contract expires at the end of the season and Kalac is unsure what plans the club or Dida has. As for himself, he would like to stay but said there is interest from at least two clubs.

"The question is: do I want to go to a lesser club that struggles, but where I play regularly or do I stay here, fight for the No.1 spot and still have the satisfaction of being part of a famous club? I guess we will just have to wait and see what develops," Kalac said.

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[whoarethepatriot...]

If Kalac puts in a good performance against Fiorentina he deserves to carry on playing for the forseeable future

[Fillipo Simone]

If Kalac puts in a good performance against Fiorentina he deserves to carry on playing for the forseeable future

No chance,..guys I warn you, this guy cannot be trusted. He's a real danger...

[acid911]

No chance,..guys I warn you, this guy cannot be trusted. He's a real danger...

That he is. And I'm afraid Abbiati is starting to fade into the same void after a bright start. I quiet honestly recall a match where he single handily won us, and got an 8-9 in the process. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) Both unfortunately are 2nd choice material, and were it not for Dida's bad form, might not have earned the top spot.

Anyway, for the moment, I don't mind them here. But a top, young keeper (Samir Handanovic gets my vote) should be a top priority, unless it gets too late. Which probably is.

[Fillipo Simone]

That he is. And I'm afraid Abbiati is starting to fade into the same void after a bright start. I quiet honestly recall a match where he single handily won us, and got an 8-9 in the process. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/innocent.gif) Both unfortunately are 2nd choice material, and were it not for Dida's bad form, might not have earned the top spot.

Anyway, for the moment, I don't mind them here. But a top, young keeper (Samir Handanovic gets my vote) should be a top priority, unless it gets too late. Which probably is.

If there's anything you should avoid when scouting players from this region it's keepers. Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian, Slovenian keepers...they are just like South Americans. They are born with a bug. They always managed to make wonders, like Kalac also, but screw up in the most unexpected way. Trust me, Handanovic is nothing different.

My suggestion - Roma no. 2 Curci.

[acid911]

My suggestion - Roma no. 2 Curci.

Consider it done. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/devil.gif)

[MizNelson]

This was too bizarre to be ignored. From acmilan.com:

BOLOGNA-MILAN: KALAC CAN'T GO
1/24/2009
MILANELLO - Due to a problem to his cervix, Zeljko Kalac is forced to stay at Milanello. In his place Carlo Ancelotti has called up the goalkeeper of the Rossoneri's Primavera team, Antonio Donnarumma.

Now, either that's a very bad English translation, or our #3 GK is a constipated hermaphrodite.

[han2503]

This was too bizarre to be ignored. From acmilan.com:



Now, either that's a very bad English translation, or our #3 GK is a constipated hermaphrodite.

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

I love our official site, so entertaining