[Fillipo Simone]

Ancelotti explains Dream Team
Saturday 28 June, 2008
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Carlo Ancelotti has explained precisely how he’ll field Ronaldinho, Alexandre Pato, Kaka, Clarence Seedorf and Andrea Pirlo together.


Milan are struggling to overcome Arsenal’s £31m price-tag for Emmanuel Adebayor and therefore turning their attention back towards Barcelona outcast Ronaldinho, although that will take some tactical reshuffling from the Coach.


“We agreed to sign either a striker or a Trequartista. It makes no difference to me, we’d just change the system,” he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.


“If we sign a centre-forward, then we’ll play the 4-3-1-2. Otherwise it’ll be the classic ‘Christmas Tree’ formation, a 4-3-2-1, which we know well and has given us a great deal of success.”


This was the system used in 2002-03 when the Rossoneri lifted both the Champions League and the Coppa Italia.


“Aside from the tactics, it is a question of studying the movement of the three forwards. Pippo Inzaghi and Marco Borriello have the characteristics to stay up there alone, but Pato does not.


“This means he would have to adapt and learn many new things. He is young, so I don’t think there will be problems in that sense. It will take time, but he’ll do it, I can guarantee that.


“Kaka is the best player in the world, so I wouldn’t dream of changing his position or characteristics. Kaka will do what he always has done, following his instinct and his quality.”


Seedorf complained last season when he was forced into wide midfield positions, but with Ronaldinho coming in would be pushed out yet again.


“Seedorf is an intelligent man and a very useful player,” noted Ancelotti. “He can play as a Trequartista and a pure midfielder. There are no problems.”


The midfield has also been reinforced with the arrival of Mathieu Flamini on a free transfer from Arsenal, while the Coach assures Emerson has overcome his injury woes.


The defence was the shakiest area of Milan’s squad last term, but there is only one big signing, Gianluca Zambrotta from Barcelona.


“He is a great full-back who can play on the right or the left. He’s not exactly young, but he is very reliable. On the left we have Marek Jankulovski as well as Giuseppe Favalli, while Massimo Oddo has the opportunity to prove himself on the right after a below par campaign.


“Plus we have brought back Luca Antonini, a youngster who really impressed when out on loan and is a valuable alternative for defence or midfield.”


As Milan are out of the Champions League, the club must inevitably turn its attention towards recapturing the Scudetto for the first time since 2003-04.


“It is our primary objective. We all want to prove ourselves after missing out on Europe and nobody liked that turn of events. It will be an unusual year and we’ll fight on three fronts – Serie A, the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia. Milan will be centre stage.”

Source: Football Italia

This post has been edited by Fillipo Simone: Jun 28 2008, 08:34 PM