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| Ancelotti: We deserve first |
Monday 3 November, 2008 |
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Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti believes the Rossoneri deserve to be in first place after their last gasp victory over Napoli on Sunday night.
A 86th minute German Denis owngoal gave Milan the points and allowed them to go top of the table for the first time since May 16 2004.
“Milan have stayed on their feet above all thanks to the will of the group,” said Ancelotti, referring to the dramatic turnaround in the Rossoneri's season, which started with two defeats.
“In the summer, there has been a strong renewal with many new faces. The initial difficulties we had demonstrated just how difficult it was to assemble the team.
“But in those difficult moments the group could either ruin itself or compact itself. Our group is united and it has been together for a long time. You have seen it.”
Returning to last night's game with Napoli, Ancelotti revealed how Kaka put his foot down and rallied his teammates after an abject first half performance.
“At the beginning we neither succeeded to attack nor defend well. The team was imbalanced. But the turning point came above all from the quality players I have at my disposition.
“A statement of Kaka has been fundamental. In that moment, he said that talent was not sufficient to win the game. He is the symbol of our turning point.”
Ancelotti also reserved praise for Ronaldinho whose shot in the 86th minute took a wicked deflection off German Denis and ended up in the back of the net.
“Dinho is acclimatising well,” said Ancelotti of the Brazilian who joined Milan from Barcelona in the summer.
“He is beginning to get to know Italian football and to understand how much physical preparation counts. After the Olympics he put himself to work seriously and you can see the results of his great talent.”
When asked whether Milan were lucky to win against Napoli as they had been against Siena and Atalanta, Ancelotti admitted the Rossoneri's performances were less than sparkling.
“In these games you have seen a Milan aesthetically less able, but more concrete. To some extent it is because we miss [Andrea] Pirlo, a fundamental player who makes the team play well.
“I hope he returns in a hurry even if without him the team has changed its attitude, becoming more solid. But we continue to look for quality.”
Looking to the future, the former Juventus and Parma boss commented on the possibility of making David Beckham's three-month loan deal permanent.
“I would say no. The talk is very clear. He only needs to train during the pause of the MLS. For this year, there is no possibility of keeping him.”
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Zambrotta: Result is everything
Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta believes the Rossoneri got what they deserved after they beat Napoli 1-0 at San Siro last night. More
Ancelotti: Who'd have thought it?!
Carlo Ancelotti admits “few thought after the first two games we'd be on top of the table” as Milan lead Serie A for the first time in four years. More |
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