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15/07/2008 18:12
Gilardino: I Didn’t Fail At Milan
New Fiorentina signing Alberto Gilardino has stressed that he doesn’t consider his spell at AC Milan as a failure.
Much was expected of Gilardino when Milan forked out a whopping €24m for the striker to take him from Parma in 2005.
However, things never really happened for the 26-year-old at San Siro, and eventually he completely lost the faith of coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Gilardino broke his ties with the Rossoneri at the end of the campaign, joining Fiorentina for €15m, but he does not consider his spell at the Stadio Meazza as a failure.
"At Milan I do not think that I failed,” Gilardino told Guerin Sportivo.
“In my first year I scored 19 goals, more than Sheva and in the next I still scored 16. I think that this experience was positive and educational, training with great champions, Maldini above all.
“This taught me to have a winning mentality and approach the big games in the best way.
“I've never had problems with my team-mates, although of course one can not be friends with everyone.”
The Italy international also expressed his admiration for Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli, the player who coached him when he rose to prominence at Parma.
"He made me explode at Parma, and in terms of his values I think that he resembles Ancelotti a lot.
“I learned a lot from Prandelli, and I have a great desire to return to working with him,” he concluded.
Goal.com