[D-Kin]

Milan hitman Alberto Gilardino was clearly relieved after opening his account for the season with a brace against Lazio.

The ex-Parma marksman had been the victim of jeering from the Diavolo fans after failing to find the target in the first six weeks of the season, but he silenced the critics in style in the 5-1 win over Lazio.

“I couldn’t score during the summer break, so it isn’t such a long time that I didn’t score for,” he told Sky Sports Italia.

“We showed everyone that we aren’t the side people are talking about in the Press and we want to turn things around in the Champions League and in Serie A.

“It was largely a mental transformation. We were convinced that we would play well against Lazio and we really did.”

Gila has slipped out of contention for the Azzurri and doesn’t feature in Roberto Donadoni’s latest squad, but he believes that if he keeps finding the target that will take care of itself.

“I’m just thinking of Milan at the moment,” he stressed.

“Donadoni has made his decision and all I can do is make it tough for him by continuing like this.”

channel4.com - Football Italia