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| Sheva wants great 2009 |
Sunday 28 December, 2008 |
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Milan striker Andriy Shevchenko believes 2009 could be the year he returns as a force in European football.
The 32-year-old Ukrainian re-joined the Rossoneri this summer after a disastrous two-year stint at Chelsea where his form really suffered.
“I am well and feel like being able to give a lot to Milan,” said Shevchenko in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I am a work in progress, I await my renaissance after many problems.
When confronted with the fact that the last few years have not exactly been the best of his career, Shevchenko replied: “On the whole, I am satisfied because I found Milan again.
“I have been able to work well for some months and have also found myself again. I feel like I have rediscovered my best characteristics. You’ll see, but I really feel that it could be my year.”
Shevchenko is also optimistic about the Rossoneri’s chances of catching Inter who are currently nine points ahead of them in Serie A.
“First of all, we have to think about ourselves, we’ll take the Winter break well. In Dubai there is a wonderful climate and it’ll do our muscles good.
“We have to be positive. Conviction is one of the most important things. You cannot attain anything without being convinced of your possibilities.”
Milan currently lie third in Serie A and have struggled of late despite beating Udinese 5-1 last Sunday.
Shevchenko believes that result was a turning point, though, marking the beginning of a winning streak.
“Milan will change face in 2009 and give her fans lots of satisfaction in the championship and UEFA Cup,” he predicted.
The 2004 Ballon d’Or winner then turned to the arrival of David Beckham who he insists will not be distraction.
“The pressure of the media is part of the world. The attention will be all for him, but David is used to it. He is a great guy and introduced himself well.
“He said that he wants to give the team a hand. The rest is the work of the media, but that’s none of our business.”
Next, Shevchenko gave his opinion on the Champions League draw, which pitted all three Italian sides against English opposition.
“The teams of the Premier League are very good, but they are not the favourites in the Champions League.
“Juventus–Chelsea will be a wonderful duel, as will Roma–Arsenal and Inter–Manchester United. It’s games like these that make you love European football.”
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