Filippo Inzaghi has declared that winning next month's FIFA Club World Cup is Milan's primary objective this season.

The Rossoneri have already won the Champions League and European Supercup this calendar year and a victory in Japan next month would complete a magnificent treble.

"Personally I participated only once in this competition, against Boca Juniors," said Inzaghi.

"It didn't go well, but this time it will be nice to be in Japan to have the opportunity to play against several teams and that's why Milan positioned this Club World Cup in first place in their objectives after the successes of Athens and Montecarlo."

However Inzaghi was quick to stress that Serie A and Europe were still very high on Milan's radar list.

"But we always try to give our best in the league and the Champions League, where currently we are top of our group." added the 34-year-old.

"We have been preparing for the Club World Cup trying to give our maximum in every game played until now, then when we'll arrive in Japan in December and the objective will be to bring home this Cup which this group are still missing."

Goal.com

Inzaghi just summarized all that I have been trying to say ever since this season started ... The fact that the CWC is the priority for this team. As it really is the ONLY real cup left for the team to win.

Though both the league and CL are BIGGER targets, Milan will be the ONLY team in Europe who is competing for it It might not rank that high up for us fans, as we want to see the team go all out for Serie A or the CL .. But for these players and the club, this is a priority.

Maldini: Fourth time's the charm




Paolo Maldini is eager to add the Club World Cup medal to his collection after losing three Finals with Milan.

“I am thinking back to the Finals I played. We went to the first not realising exactly how important this trophy was and only realised it after we had won,” said the captain of the tournament that used to be called the Intercontinental Cup.

His side thrashed Paraguayans Olimpia Asuncion 3-0 in 1990, but crumbled on three successive trips to Japan.

Milan lost 3-2 against Sao Paolo in 1993 and fell 2-0 to Argentines Velez Sarsfield a year later, but only capitulated to Boca Juniors in 2003 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

“The next three Finals still hurt to recall. We lost to Sao Paolo after a game played on level terms. In the other two we did not feel inferior to our opponents and the flight home was a bitter one, as we really wanted to win.”

The Rossoneri have the opportunity to take their revenge on Boca Juniors as they are the two favourites to win the 2007 edition in December.

“We are very proud to be participating in the Club World Cup. It is the first time we have entered this new format and I think it will be more difficult than in previous years.”

It is now a tournament between the champions of all the different confederations, although qualifying has whittled it down to seven clubs.

Boca Juniors and Milan won’t enter the fray until the semi-finals on December 12 and 13 respectively, where the Italians will face one of Sepahan, Waitakere United and Urawa Red Diamonds.

“Thankfully we will be given enough space to get accustomed to the time difference and rhythm of Japanese life. On a physical level I think the team will arrive in Japan in their best form.”

I can see why Milan are so eager to win this one, I just hope they don't lose their focus on the all-important triumph, the Coppa Italia.

I'd really like it if we won the CWC but I won't consider this season a successful one if we win it.

I'd really like it if we won the CWC but I won't consider this season a successful one if we win it.

IMO the CWC is a useless trophy without any prestige that the FIFA only created to compete with UEFA succesfull Champions League (Money, Money, Money...)