[m1ke]

All Ignazio Abate talk in here.

(IMG:http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7604/urlae5.jpg)

[Tennie]

Nice interview with Abate today on acmilan.com (translation by Fishdoll) link

Ignazio, it's 2 days to the derby. How's the preparation going?
'Tension's growing but I'm calm because we're training well and that's the most important thing. The coahc is preparing for the game with Inter very well. It was important to recupreate all the elements because with the squad complete I believe we can play our game.'

You're in your first year with Milan's first team. What's the effect of training with great champions?
'From champions like Seedorf, Ambrosini, Gattuso, Flamini and the others I can only learn, but I'm also convinced of the fact that I have to do my best to make it hard for the coach day by day (fishdoll note: the implication in Italian is that he's trying to make it hard for Leonardo to pick the regular starters above him).'

What sort of Inter do you expect after their home draw against Bari?
'I think it'll be the same Inter: a squad that's very physically strong with great quality going forward. They're very cynical because players like Milito and Eto'o have impressive goalscoring averages, but we also have our cards to play and I think we'll play a good game.'

Do you think Pato can cause problems for the opposition's defense?
'The coach is trying different solutions. Alexandre is a very important player for us, but at the same time there are also other great champions especially in the offensive positions like Huntelaar and Inzaghi who could be decisive. We have different solutions to play and we'll try to do it in the best manner.'