[Portman]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 29

Milan v Atalanta

Sunday, 18th of March 2007

Time: 14:00 (UK), 15:00 (IT)

We've no other chance - get the 3 points in San Siro. Atalanta is a mid-table team, should not be underestimated.

Forza Milan!

Prediction: 1-0.

[Rossoneri7]

WE NEED MORE IMPROVEMENT

Carlo Ancelotti covered a wide range of themes in the Saturday afternoon press conference but maintained that Milan still had room for improvement


MILANELLO - Carlo Ancelotti held his pre-match press conference on Saturday and said:

'I know what Seedorf has said and this is the great thing about Milan because everyone is look to discuss things. I know what he would like but he's played well in other positions. Kakà has played further forward to free him from defensive duties. He loves the space, loves to start his runs from a long way out and he's done well further forward, as against Celtic. In this game Seedorf and Kakà played behind Inzaghi and in Palermo Seedorf and Kakà played behind Gilardino.

'As for my future, I have some news for you all, I have a great relationship with the players and club while I have a contract until 2008, that's it. I will make the best choice for my life. I am fine in Italy and Milan is a good choice but I have not thought about the future. The coach is under discussion every Sunday and this is normal at Milan. The team can improve even more and I want us to push on before the break and what counts is the final rush. I feel Manchester United are playing best at the moment but they won't play in the final because they will be knocked out before.

On Atalanta: 'Hopefully Milan will be competitive tomorrow, hopefully we'll get to fourth place. In the first game Atalanta were in top condition and Milan at the lowest point but now things are different. We won't have Maldini, Kaladze and Serginho but Nesta is in good shape and is available. He could even play from the start. Everyone is fine. Jankulovski made an error in the derby but he's resolved a lot of problems this year and hopefully he will do so in the future. As for Inzaghi, he's been out with an ankle problem but he's played his part such as the Celtic game and sat out the derby as part of the normal of the rotation system. I can't have three strikers on the bench.

On other issues: 'Ronaldo never has not been a continuous player for the whole game, has splashes of great class and of great talent, acceleration and then is a bit absent, but that's normal. The truth is that Ronaldo has played from the start in three games and scored three goals, set-up two and hit the bar. In the tests on Wednesday Gilardino and Ricardo Oliveira also did well. Gilardino needs to score while Ricardo Oliveira is fine on the bench at the moment. I don't make these choices with the heart but objectively, evaluating the technical aspects, tactics of the opponents, mental aspect. Inzaghi could also play.

In closing, Ancelotti said: 'The battle for fourth place will be decided right at the end. We are behind Palermo and we have to be aware of Fiorentina. We have have 11 game left and in the previous 11 we gained 26 points. If we get 26 points then we'll finish fourth. Dida is still an excellent player. He's just renewed his contract and is relaxed. As for Bayern, Kahn, Lucio and Van Bommel are players of great experience, they are still a side to fear.'

[MizNelson]

In closing, Ancelotti said: 'The battle for fourth place will be decided right at the end. We are behind Palermo and we have to be aware of Fiorentina. We have have 11 game left and in the previous 11 we gained 26 points. If we get 26 points then we'll finish fourth. Dida is still an excellent player. He's just renewed his contract and is relaxed. As for Bayern, Kahn, Lucio and Van Bommel are players of great experience, they are still a side to fear.'

Interesting that he mentions just those three players when talking about Bayern. Doesn't he read the newspapers? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[arivanjj]

Interesting that he mentions just those three players when talking about Bayern. Doesn't he read the newspapers?  (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

he mentions them because Van Bommel is suspended for both legs and Khan and Lucio are in doubt for the first leg!

This post has been edited by arivanjj: Mar 18 2007, 03:38 AM