Rino trusts in Milan mentalityMilan midfield dynamo Gennaro Gattuso believes that Milan’s secret weapon for success in Europe lies in the spirit in the dressing room.
The Rossoneri start their defence of the European throne against Benfica at the San Siro on Tuesday evening.
After having to settle for a point against Siena last weekend there is a feeling in the peninsula that the Diavolo may struggle against the Portuguese giants, but Gattuso tells a different story.
“The key lies in the dressing room and that’s no big secret,†he told Spanish newspaper El Pais.
“When you see someone like Paolo Maldini who at 39-years-old can play in a Champions League Final and give blood, sweat and tears to the caiuse you’d be an idiot not to see how he is an inspiration.
“Then there’s Clarence Seedorf who has won four Champions League titles with three different sides, but I saw him cry with the emotion of winning last year’s semi-final against Manchester United.
“We are the kind of club that finds motivation in the hardest times and has winning in our DNA, Silvio Berlusconi has seen to that.â€
As for his own role, the ex-Rangers man was typically modest as he described the pugnacious spirit that has defined his career.
“At times I look at my feet and curse them as they never gave me any joy,†he chuckled. “I’m always telling Carlo Ancelotti to imagine what I’d be like if I had silky skills – we wouldn’t have space for the trophies!“There are players like Kaka who are born as stars and then men like me who have to build a career from endless passion.â€
Andrea Pirlo is set to overcome injury problems to feature against Benfica, but Ronaldo’s absence limits the attacking options to just Alberto Gilardino and Pippo Inzaghi.
Milan squad: Dida, Kalac; Bonera, Cafu, Favalli, Jankulovski, Kaladze, Nesta, Oddo, Simic; Ambrosini, Brocchi, Gattuso, Emerson, Gourcuff, Kaka, Pirlo, Seedorf; Gilardino, Inzaghi
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BOLD text. Isn't he great? (IMG:
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