Emerson is determined to make a contribution to the Milan cause and hopes to score his first goal since arriving in the summer.
The former Juventus man joined the Diavolo from Real Madrid in pre-season, but has made little impression due to injury problems.
Having made just six Serie A starts all term, the No 5 is desperate to make the most of his return to fitness and to erase question marks over his importance to the club.
“I haven’t scored for Milan yet and it would be important for me to get a goal on a personal level and for the team,” Emerson told the Milan Channel.
“When I arrived at San Siro, I hadn’t been doing the right physical preparation. Once I told Real that my head was elsewhere, I was training on my own.
“I knew that there would be difficulties in commanding a starting spot. Unfortunately I then had a tibia problem, which is the biggest battle I have ever fought.
“I am trying to get over it and I am making all the sacrifices to be available for the Coach. I still have a year on my contract here and I am pushing myself hard. I really want to do something good here.”
Emerson’s first club in the peninsula was Roma and Il Puma rejected Milan’s advances when he left Bayer Leverkusen.
“Milan were interested in me when I was at Bayer, but I had already committed to Roma,” the defensive midfielder, who turns 32 tomorrow, explained.
“I remember that my meeting with the Diavolo lasted just five minutes because I wanted to keep my promise to the Giallorossi, but I was very pleased to have interest from Milan.
“Now I am here I understand the greatness of the club. When I arrived and saw some of my teammates who had been here for a decade I was sorry I hadn’t arrived earlier.”
