Wow. THANK YOU for scanning that in and posting it, Paloschi43. It's a very nice read.

Top job paloschi43! Thanks

Ur welcome.

Thanks heaps, paloschi43!

Paloschi43 , it was really great , thanks , you bring fresh excitement to forum ! Welcome .

Thanks a bunch, Paloschi43!

Alexandre Pato continues to be plagued by a mysterious muscular injury that has left the Milan doctors stumped.

The teen sensation has made a huge impact since arriving in January and has become Carlo Ancelotti’s first-choice hitman after seven goals in 14 appearances.

However, Pato has been out of action since the start of the month and, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the medics have been unable to find the exact nature of the problem.

The former Internacional man has been complaining of a pain in his adductor muscle and the doctors are puzzled as they have been unable to find any damage in tests.

With Pato still unable to train, the Rossoneri will rely on Pippo Inzaghi at Reggina this weekend and will hope he can continue his recent scoring form

its a Dejavu for me!

its the exact story of another Brazilian: 14 app / 7 goals ... and then suddenly a mystery injury

It's frustrating...

Hehe... mysterious injury my @ss!

its called getting time off to make his relationship a little more intimate with his gf.

Julio Cesar: Pato Ahead Of Balotelli, For Now

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar believes that Alexandre Pato may be slightly ahead of fellow teenage sensation Mario Balotelli, but only because he is more experienced.

Both Pato and Balotelli have burst onto the scene this season, with many people describing them as two of the best teenage talents in the whole world.

Pato has scored eight goals in 15 Serie A matches since debuting in January, while Balotelli has struck twice in eight matches, as well as excelling in the Coppa Italia.

"Pato is great and will become even greater. He shoots well, and has the same coordination with both his right and left foot.

“I am not saying that he is better than Mario, but he has already lived some more important experiences. He is a little more experience, but Balotelli is growing a great deal.

“Now he must work on his quality, but he has two big advantages; he has class, so much class and also the power of serenity."

The two teenagers will come up against each other this Sunday at San Siro in the Milan derby.


GOAL.COM

Pato really needs a haircut!

Nooo, this haircut Ok, kind of natural, it gives him an innocent look too, that way, the opposition defenders wouldn't kill him every time he makes them look like amateurs

Maybe




Pato prioritises Olympic dream
Thursday 8 May, 2008

Alexandre Pato hopes to compete at the Olympics, but would be disappointed to miss the start of Milan's Champions League campaign.

At the age of 18, Pato has become a key figure for Milan and made his international debut for Brazil against Sweden in a friendly in March.

With the Rossoneri now in the box seat for Champions League qualification, Pato could be at the centre of a tug-of-love between club and country because the Olympic Games clash with the Champions League third qualification round in August.

“It would be a shame to miss the first Champions League games because I would have liked to give my contribution in both competitions,” the former Internacional man told the Corriere dello Sport.

“I don’t know yet whether I will be selected for Beijing, but naturally I hope so.

“Brazil have never won a gold medal in football and to get one would mean entering the history books.”

While Pato is expected to make the trip to China, it is highly unlikely that his teammate Kaka will be allowed to represent his country.

“All I can say is that if things go well then it would be great to see him in the dressing room,” Pato stressed.

C4




There's no doubt playing for Brazil in the Olympics means so much more to him than CL qualifications!

I don't think out management will have any problem with letting him go to Beijing.

They've said they'd have no problem with him going, zd. The rationale is that players under 23, they'll release with good luck wishes. It's the over 23 players that they may not release (ie, Kaka).

Go to the Olympics ducky!!! If the mercato plays out right, we should have a player to fill in our forward position easily.

Pato Reflects On Debut Season

Milan striker Alexandre Pato has reflected upon his debut season for the Rossoneri.

The young Brazilian striking sensation has been a revelation at San Siro. Scoring on his debut against Napoli, he has gone on to score eight goals in 16 appearances for the club and he has analysed his first few months as a Milanista.

“I am growing up in Italian football after months of just training and watching the game from the stands,” Pato Italia Uno.

“Now I think about things differently compared to September, I saw a really difficult and competitive league but now I know that I can play well in it. [ma boy! ]

“The defenders are very intelligent in Serie A and I have to learn how they play in order to do well against them.

“I am always happy and ready to play, I just have to be patient.

“As for Pippo Inzghi, he’s a great player and he is in great form at the moment. He has to take Milan to the Champions League.

“Ronaldo? He’s always my idol, he is a good man and he has to return for us.”

Milan are on course for the Champions League this season but they need to ensure victory against Napoli and hope that Fiorentina slip up against Parma.

link

^^
Don't get the last part. If we win both our games, it doesn't matter what the Viola do right?

Yes captain, it's just the media playing with words. But I wouldn't mind a Fiorentina draw next match, no sir. That would create even more breathing space for us against Udinese.

Ancelotti is doing it again... Playing with a player's confidence... I don't like this. This is one of the areas he truly lacks knowledge.

Ancelotti's steps:

1) Let the player start a couple of games.

2) Bench him for no apparent reason in the next games even though he has been good.

3) Give him a couple late 2nd half appearances.

4) Wait for him to lose his confidence and make a couple of mistakes...

5) Congratulations! You are now justified to glue that player's @ss to the bench forever...

I disagreed with that assessment of Ancelotti-Gourcuff and I disagree with the assessment of Ancelotti-Pato.

What the above neglects to take into account is Pato's injury - and I'm told thigh/groin injuries are particularly icky for guys - and the fact that Pippo has been on fire.

Carletto seems wedded to the Xmas Tree formation so he's only been fielding one striker for most games (and yeah, even I agree he should be reamed for that one) -- and frankly until the Napoli disaster, Pippo's been on fire for the last month +.

This in no way means there's no confidence in Pato or that Ancelotti wants to bench him, etc.

Sorry, Max. I think you've got this one wrong.

One of the main reasons Pato didn't start against Napoli was the bad impression he made after he came on against Inter. I want to get this straight, before his injury, he is our starting attacker, our savior week in, week out. He gets injured, then he gets back to fitness, Inzaghi all of a sudden shows up, Pato stays on the bench, we play against Inter with 1 forward, Pato comes on in the dying moments of the second half, makes a couple nervy passes, he loses his place as a starting player against Napoli? Ancelotti doesn't LOVE... the 4-5-1 formation... He mostly uses that formation when he doesn't have an abundance of attackers at his disposal, or if we're playing a big team. Pato is being wasted on the bench. He is healthy, he obviously wants to play as he said himself, Ancelotti just doesn't trust him as much all of a sudden. I'm not worried about it. Pato is different than Gourcuff. He'll be a starter again next season. But, Ancelotti has a record of doing this. He even did it to Paloschi. Even though Paloschi was our best and most effective attacker, if not player, at one point, Carletto did the same to him. Paloschi broke into the first team by some great performances. Got a couple starts, played very good football. Got benched for no reason after, then got introduced late in the second half a couple times, wasn't as effective as before, got cut out and hasn't played since..

pKillerTruth

I disagree still with what you think Carletto's doing. You seem determined to blame him no matter what.

The only reason Pippo's been starting over the kid is because - until the Napoli disaster - Pippo's been on a hell of a scoring run. If he hadn't been, Pato would almost certainly have started.


Paloschi is still a primavera and he's been regularly playing and scoring goals there. The primavera competition is still going on (milan-zebra primavera is being shown live on sky calcio this weekend, for example) and it's IMPORTANT to the club for the primavera to do well. When he came onto the senior team and shocked everyone, Ancelotti said AT THE TIME that Paloschi would only be with the senior team while other strikers were hurt and that when they recovered, he'd go back to the Primavera. That's just what happened.

I think Ancelotti could not have done worse in the Gourcuff issue. In my opinion, he has truly ****ed up on this!

And he has done some mistakes with Pato I believe.

But I don't think he's done wrong with Paloschi. I mean... he did not have a chance to do wrong; the kid was introduced because we had no other forward available and I think it's right he was left out when our forwards were available again... he's too young for this I think.

Anyway... Ancelotti is terrible in this. Not only because of the above... but also because he finds it easy to play it tough with the youngsters and let the out when they do not do well but when Kaladze, Seedorf or Pirlo underperform every week he keeps fielding them...

Ancelotti is my only favorite coach. I don't particularly like any other coach out there. He is stubborn though, and not always in the good way. A lot of times that means his decisions are not in the best interest of the team. And he has a knack for benching younger players and giving endless chances to older ones. Bonera anyone?

Well, Bonera is starting ahead of Oddo now ... So I guess it's a matter of form really

There's no doubt for me Carlo IN GENERAL prefers old players. he could easily continue benching Pato and playing Pippo until Pippo's 40 years old. he destroyed Gourcuff by benching him in favor or Seedorf and Brocchi, with the former usually playing like sh1t against smaller teams (talking about last season) and the latter... well, you know it.

I'm not worried about Pato, because I'm sure he will become a great player one day. I'm worried about Milan's Pato, because I fear if this silly confidence killing habit of Carlo continues we won't be seeing Pato [and other gifted youngsters like Paloschi] in Milan for a very long time...




Anyhow... Pato's been called up for the Selecao again.


Brazil recall Adriano for World Cup qualifiers

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 15 (Reuters) - Adriano was recalled by Brazil for next month's World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, only the second time he has been picked by his country since the 2006 World Cup.

The 26-year-old was included in a 25-man squad for the matches away to Paraguay in Asuncion on June 15 and at home to arch-rivals Argentina in Belo Horizonte three days later.

Paraguay lead the 10-team South American qualifying group with 10 points from four games, one ahead of Argentina and two ahead of Brazil.

The same squad will face Canada in a friendly in Seattle on May 31 and Venezuela in Boston on June 6, minus Adriano who has club commitments with Sao Paulo.

As expected, there was no place for troubled forward Ronaldinho, who has been out of action with Barcelona because of fitness and weight problems.

Adriano, plagued by physical and reported alcohol problems last year with Inter Milan, has refound his form since joining Sao Paulo on loan in December and has scored 16 goals in all competitions.

"Everyone knows his potential and he has shown great willpower and capability to come back," Dunga told reporters. "His footballing talent was never in doubt. He deserves to return to the national team."

"Great players like important games. That's where we see their potential," Dunga added.

"He has been under a lot of pressure for a long time and a striker gets back his form by scoring goals. We have been watching him and hoping for his recovery."

IMPORTANT TITLES

There were no major surprises as Ronaldinho was left out while AC Milan pair Kaka and Alexandre Pato were included.

Dunga asked for understanding for Ronaldinho, saying his recent problems should not cloud his previous years with Barcelona.

"There's a lot of sensationalism with Ronaldinho," said Dunga. "He gave Barcelona back their soul, winning important titles. Now we have to leave him in peace so he can get back his form."

"We know we can count on him in the future."

Dunga reiterated that he wanted Kaka to take part in the Olympic Games as an over-age player but said it would depend on negotiations with Milan, who are not obliged to release him for the tournament.

He also asked for patience with 18-year-old Pato, who scored a stunning goal against Sweden on his international debut after coming on as a substitute.

"I want to protect Pato as much as possible and I can't put the expectations of millions of people on his shoulders," said Dunga.

"Things have to happen naturally. We have to deposit confidence in him, give him incentives. There's no point in doing things in a hurry, we have to let him play his football."


Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Diego Alves (Almeria)

Defenders: Daniel Alves (Sevilla), Maicon (Inter Milan), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Marcelo (Real Madrid), Kleber (Santos), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Alex Costa (Chelsea), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Elano (Manchester City), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Mineiro (Hertha Berlin), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg), Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen), Kaka (AC Milan)

Forwards: Adriano (Sao Paulo), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan), Julio Baptista (Real Madrid), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Rafael Sobis (Real Betis), Robinho (Real Madrid)

reuters

I can't wait to see Kaka' & Pato playing together in yellow shirt, it's been awhile since Kaka played for Brazil. I suspect after Lucio, Kaka' will be made captain

Wish Carlo knew how to deal with youngsters as much as Dunga knows! you either introduce a young player naturally and gradually, little by little, or take the risk and play him in every match from the start, Carlo played him in 10-12 games from the start and then all of a sudden relegated him to a bench warmer status. that's murdering a youngster's confidence

I don't know why are you guts complaining? This is Carlo and everybody knows that, he hates to play with 2 strikers and it's old news. Actually he doesn't play the youngsters because he doesn't have nay guts at all (I said that before) he's under pressure and doesn't want to be blamed for playing with inexperienced players, so instead he puts in his usual team and gets no motivation, the youngsters get loaned or sold and we keep showing up only when for the big matches with the likes of Seedorf and R10 now. This **** will end when he goes away from Milan ... in 2 years time!

18 Games, 9 Goals
Not bad for an 18 year old, so you guys think the transfer was a successful one?

Not bad? I say it's great . an inexperienced 18yo on his first ever Italian league adventure, surrounded by stars he used to play with on PS3 or watch on television, and of course with SO MUCH hype and pressure around him... he did GREAT! name one other South American teenager that performed like this in his first ever European season with a big club... only Ronaldo comes to mind, but he played for PSV and Pato played for a troubled Milan side and yet was the most consistent scorer. the biggest gap between two games he scored on was 2 games. that's something to be proud of. like I said he really was an inexperienced kid when he signed for us. those 5 months did only good to him, but that doesn't quite explain his success. I guess scoring goals is in his blood! like his idol!

Absolutely he was a good transfer.

He's still got some maturing to do, but the raw talent is immense.

Anyway, I like being able to say QUACK QUACK.

Ledesma Is A Thug – Pato

Milan wonderkid Alexandre Pato has launched a stunning attack on Lazio midfielder Cristian Ledesma, saying that he “massacred” him during a game earlier in the season.

Pato has had a superb start to life in Serie A, scoring nine goals in just 18 Serie A appearances since debuting in January.

In an interview with GQ Magazine, Pato has talked about his first season in Italy, and he has launched a scathing attack on Lazio’s Cristian Ledesma, who issued out some rough treatment to him during a game in March.

“I remember Cristian Ledesma repeatedly hitting me - massacring me,” stated the Brazilian.

"I was not bothered. Actually, I like playing this way. It has made me grow up.

“In Brazil, you get the ball and are allowed 20 seconds to look up and think about what you are going to do.

“Here, instead, you have three seconds to do something before someone like Ledesma arrives.” [ ]

Pato also expressed his wish that crocked team-mate Ronaldo recovers from injury so that he can play alongside him up-front.

“I would like it a lot if we could play together,” he said.

“We are really good friends.

“Ronnie is going through a rough patch at the moment. The media are always hounding him.

“Nevertheless, he has such a great character that I expect he will get over his injury and image problems.

“We talk all the time, but never about football. He always asks me how I am doing. It's crazy, Ronaldo is my idol.”




I remember all those nasty fouls he suffered in Lazio games, one of which led to a red card.

Anyway, Forza Pato

Pato gets Olympic call

Alexandre Pato has been included in Carlos Dunga’s Brazil squad for this summer’s Olympic Games.

The Milan starlet made a superb start to life in Serie A with nine goals in 18 games for the Diavolo after arriving from Internacional in January.

Pato made his full Brazil debut against Sweden on March 26 and found the net and the 18-year-old’s form made his place in Beijing a formality.

While Milan were determined to prevent Kaka from travelling to the Olympics as they want him fresh for the start of next season, the San Siro side didn’t stand in Pato’s way.

Brazil’s Olympic squad contains just one play over the age of 23 – Real Madrid star Robinho.

Dunga’s youngsters will play a Rio De Janeiro representative side on June 22.

Brazil Olympic squad:

Goalkeepers: Diego Alves (Almeria), Renan (Internacional)

Defenders: Rafinha (Schalke), Nei (Atletico Paranaense), Leonardo (Olympiacos), Filipe (Deportivo La Coruna), Alex Silva (Sao Paulo), Breno (Bayern Munich), Thiago Silva (Fluminese), Leo (Gremio)

Midfielders: Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Ramires (Cruzeiro), Charles (Cruzeiro), Anderson (Manchester United), Diego (Werder Bremen), Thiago Neves (Fluminese)

Strikers: Robinho (Real Madrid), Pato (Milan), Sobis (Betis), Oldoni (Atletico Paranaense)


Channel4

Great to see him at the Olympics. let's hope he comes back healthy, and victorious.

So i will follow Olympic games !

Diego is 23

I hope I can see him play, and I hope they face Argentina

pato will be a starter, i'm sure of it.

Pato & Sthefany enjoying a holiday in the Maldives.

Quack Quack

School kid better be enjoying his holiday because next season hes going to be expected to score 20+ goals the way our transfer market has been going.

What a pic, thanks Tennie!

True, but I'm confident that he can handle it

OK, I know it's no big deal, but just for the record, Pato scored a goal for Brazil's Olympic team against Rio Selection [a week ago or something, and I think Robinho was playing too. we need Porty's confirmation though]

watch the goal

credit to soccerpulse

QUACK QUACK!

Good for Pato.

^^^

You just cured her tic zd. Good on you! She was bursting to say quack quack for weeks!!