Ancelotti: "Winning is guaranteed with Milan this season!"Carlo Ancelotti, Milan's head coach has been given extra privileges this season, that wasn't available to him in the past, in planning for the team and interfering in the summer mercato.
Gazzetta dello Sports had an exclusive interview with him on matters that pertain to the market and the team for the coming season.
Q. Ancelotti, will Milan be with Ronaldinho tomorrow ?Carlo: "We have not bought him yet, we are following the plan of Andiamoshi (have no idea what that is)."
Q. So the main goal is Ronaldinho ?Carlo: "I have discussed with the management about this and also assessing the possibilities of buying forwards, I have transmitted my opinion and ideas to the upper management."
Q. You mean, you don't have a preference .. If it was Adebayor or Ronaldinho that arrived ?!Carlo: "It would change the shape of the team, either we play with a 4-3-1-2, or we play in our classical set-up of which we know well the 4-3-2-1 the christmas tree, which we are most comfortable in implementing."
Q. It seems as though you are on the verge of playing with two strikers again, just like you did in the 2002-2003 season ?Carlo: "Ohh, yes and everyone remembers what we achieved back then!"
Q. The Champions League and the Coppa Italia ?Carlo: "Exactly, and that means that the fans have to be calm, the club and myself are working on making a competitive team of the highest order!"
Q. If you don't get a striker in the, level of Adebayor, will anything change ?Carlo: "In that case we would play with three forwards. We would be concentrating on positioning deep in the field which will obviously mean a bigger strategy will have to be implemented while playing deep."
Q. On the occasion who will be the striker ? Pato, Inzaghi or Borriello ?Carlo: "Inzaghi and Borriello have the ability to play on their own upfront. As they play on the basis of poaching only, while Pato doesn't."
Q. What does that mean ?Carlo: "In simple terms Pato has to understand the role, he has to concentrate and learn a lot of things, he is still very young and I don't think he will have any problems with this."
Q. And will he do that ?Carlo: "It is a matter of time only, and it is something logical, and he will do that I assure you of this!"
Q. And Kaka' will change his style of play ?Carlo: "Kaka' is the best player in the world and what he does best is following his instinct and feelings. I am not going to change his position nor ask him to change his style!"
Q. And Seedorf ? Is there a problem with him playing behind the strikers ?Carlo: "He is a very intelligent man and extremely useful as a player. Whether he plays behind the strikers or in the central midfield role, he wont face any problems either way."
Q. Let's talk about the other areas, what is your opinion on the midfield ?Carlo: "It is solid and strong, we have the quantity and the technical ability. Emerson had gotten over his physical problems and will be a big helping hand, we got Flamini who was one of the best midfielders in the Champions League. He is a first class player and will be in good hands with us."
Q. Gourcuff moved to Borduex, did he loose the bet ?Carlo: "There wasn't enough place for him to play, and in big teams like Milan there will always be such problems. From his stand point, it will be an important season at Borduex, he has to show consistency and continuity in his form and I will be following his progress."
Q. In defense, are you content with Zambrotta ?Carlo: "He is a great fullback both on the left and right side, he is not young but he is very reliable. On the left we have Jankulovski and Favalli, and lets not forget Oddo who despite the bad season that he had is now getting prepared for the new season. We also have brought back Antonini who has been able to develop his abilities in a big way and can play in both defense and midfield, he is a good alternative."
Q. Milan are now leaning towards the Scudetto ?Carlo: "This has no meaning to me now, what is important for me now is to succeed in spring on the success that we are having this summer."
Q. Of course, but do you believe in your luck in competing for the Scudetto ?Carlo: "It is our first goal, we all have a desire to win it especially after failing to make the Champions League. We will fight on all fronts, in the league and in the UEFA cup, it is lower than what we wish to achieve but it is guaranteed, Milan will be champions at the end of the season!"