OBJECTIVE: NO MISTAKES!5/9/2008 6:10:00 PM
On the day of his 31st birthday, Marek Jankulovski gave a press conference at the Milanello sporting center two days before the match at the San Paolo stadium. - THE DECLARATIONS -
MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by Milan defender Marek Jankulovski, who gave a press conference at Milanello today:
Sunday you have the match against Napoli at San Siro...
"Certainly Sunday's game against Napoli will not be an easy game because Napoli already showed their strength at home and for them it will be their last home game of the season. We should have the only objective to get the three points."
Marek, how's your knee?
"I feel good now, the knee isn't bothering me anymore, and I hope it won't give me any problems in the future. I had already come back for the Club World Cup in Japan, but then I had to stop again each time."
How do you see the team during training?
"I think we're in good form, we've waited a long time to reach the fourth place and now we're there we know it only depends on us to keep it. We have more motivation now, again it only depends on Milan."
The balance of your season?
"It's not been a lost year for me, but it's been difficult. I still scored a goal in the European Supercup and participated to the Club World Cup in Japan, I'm only disappointed not to have given a bigger contribution to Milan so from that point of view it wasn't a good year for me, but I hope to be in better shape next year."
What should change to do better next season in the league?
"Next year we should be more careful, like we were in the derby even though we played very well. We know we are far from Inter and next season we will have to start strongly in the league. We lacked a bit of consistency. This season we did less than we could in certain matches that were easy on paper, now we have two left in which we cannot afford any missteps."
After eight years you will return in Naples on Sunday. What has changed for you in these years?
“After all this time I have improved from the technical-tactical level. When I played at Napoli I was at the start of my Italian experience and I believe that in these years I have grown under all point of views.â€
How do you see Gilardino in this period?
“I think that Alberto will not be very happy like any player who finds less space than others, but I’m convinced that he will return at his best like he was in his first year here."
Would you play in midfielder as an alternative?
“When I played at Udinese under Spalletti I was played on the right hand side, but lately as a left back I find myself quite well even with the national team.â€
You’re Nedved’s friend, what do you think he will decide for his future?
“I know Nedved well, both as a friend as well as a national team-mate and I hope that he continues to play for Juventus and maybe even for the European Championships in June. I hope that he thinks about it and he comes to help us out because I just found out that Rosicky will not take part to the European Championships and Nedved could help us a lot, but this will only and exclusively depend from his decision."
What do you think of a possible arrival of Zambrotta or other champions
like Amauri or Ronaldinho at Milan?
“I consider Zambrotta to be a very strong player who could help us out both on the right hand side as well as the left hand side, because he can cover many roles. If great champions arrive, they are welcome because we need reinforcements for the team. Even Amauri is another strong player, but for him, for Ronaldinho and for all the purchases, it must be the club and coach who decide.â€