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| Pazzo mad for continuity |
Saturday 1 November, 2008 |
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Fiorentina hitman Giampaolo Pazzini has responded to criticism by demanding more playing time to prove his worth.
The 24-year-old is now arguably the Viola’s fifth choice striker and has only made two starts so far this season, the last coming on Wednesday night against Inter.
“I don’t read the newspapers anymore, I don’t feel under examination,” said Pazzini, counteracting reports that he is suffering in the shadow of Alberto Gilardino.
Gilardino has made himself indispensable to Coach Cesare Prandelli since joining from Milan this summer and leads the Italian scoring charts.
“I am who I am and he is Gilardino,” explained Pazzini who has come on for the former Milan striker on several occasions this season. “Everyone goes along their own path.”
Pazzini was keen to impress, though, that the championship has only just begun and Italy has yet to see the best of him.
“We are still in October, there is a lot of time. For now, I only think about playing and finding the continuity to improve my condition.”
Pazzini then set about defending his performance against Inter in midweek, blaming his abject display on a lack of regular first team football.
“The Nerazzurri are a great team, it is never simple. There was not the Mr Pazzini that there could be out there, but with little continuity it is not simple.
“I looked to give the team a hand and, for this, I am happy about what I did. I also missed a chance of a header, but it was a fast ball to which I arrived after a 30-metre dash and I didn’t score.”
The former Atalanta starlet will start against Siena on Sunday as Gilardino is still suspended following his handball at Palermo last Sunday.
“We feel this game and want to win it. The Bianconeri are a good team and without that penalty assigned to Milan on Wednesday they would have drawn at San Siro.”
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