MD1: AC Milan v Bologna [31-08-08]
Ancelotti: Scudetto or bust Saturday 30 August, 2008
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Carlo Ancelotti is well aware Milan will settle for nothing less than the Scudetto after bringing in Ronaldinho and Andriy Shevchenko.
“We certainly won’t be happy if we finish in second place,” noted the tactician. “Everyone working for Milan must remember the objective is to take the title.”
Serie A has been low on the list of priorities for some time now, but after failing to qualify for the Champions League, they need to win back the faith of infuriated fans.
“I am charged up and cannot wait to get started. We have seven strikers, so it won’t be easy to make sure they all get playing time. I trust the players will work with me and each other to ensure the team can progress. It would be difficult if it were only up to me.”
Copying Inter Coach Jose Mourinho’s surprise announcement, Ancelotti also confirmed nine of the starting XI that will face Bologna.
“I don’t want to be outdone by Mourinho! So I’ll tell you that Abbiati, Zambrotta, Maldini, Kaladze, Jankulovski, Flamini, Pirlo, Ambrosini and Seedorf will definitely start.”
With Kaka and Marco Borriello injured, Ronaldinho could make his first appearance in a Rossoneri jersey against Bologna on Sunday afternoon.
“He needs to learn how the team operates and he won’t have that free-flowing rapport with the others for another two or three months, but there is a great deal of expectation surrounding him.”
Another newcomer is Shevchenko, who returns to San Siro just two years after the £30m move to Chelsea.
“He has been mulling over mistakes he made in the past. He’s very motivated and eager to impress.”
Ancelotti confirmed that Christian Abbiati will start between the posts against Bologna, while Daniele Bonera, Philippe Senderos and Gennaro Gattuso are all out.
Chief of Milan medical staff Massimo Manara confirmed Gattuso “is still not 100 per cent” after damaging his shoulder in last week’s 2-2 draw with Austria, but he will be fit for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“Kaka has made incredible progress and should be working with the team next week. He won’t go on international duty with Brazil so that he can continue the therapy.”
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