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#4702
MALDINI: 'Unfortunately, my injury is up and down'
2/13/2006
MILAN - Speaking at the margins of the presentation (Westin Palace in piazza della Repubblica in Milan) for Demetrio Albertini's farewell to football, Paolo Maldini answered some questions: 'I don't know if I will play against Cagliari, I am not that great. We have to look at it over the next few days. It's not a fitness problem, the problem is to do with the pain that I still have. I would like to play against Bayern Munich but I would also like to play before that game, however, this injury has its ups and downs. I am 80 per cent at the moment but I need to be 100 per cent to play. It's essential to have a test in a game after two and a half months out. Unfortunately, there have been ups and downs and as I said I need to be 100 per cent to play and I have to get over this injury to get the season going. And not just the season.'
GALLIANI: ‘Must focus on ourselves’
2/13/2006
MILAN – AC Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani also spoke after the Demetrio Albertini press conference: ‘We have recovered six points on Inter in four days. This is a good thing, but now we must try to continue to win as much as possible. In regards to second place, nothing is certain. Right now we are really happy with what we have done, but we must continue like this against Cagliari and onwards. We are doing really well in the league. We have 54 points, just the same as last year when we were tied with Juventus. We are doing really well, but the truth is that Juventus are doing something extraordinary. If they continue on like this, then they will win and we will congratulate them. We must look at ourselves and think about winning as many games as possible. There are no controversies about the way Milan played in Reggio. I think that Milan should use the rhombus formation because with it we have won two Champions League finals, a league title, the European Supercup, an Italian Cup and secured second place. It’s Carlo Ancelotti’s invention, not mine. Bayern? I continue to think that the last sixteen of the competition should be divided in two, the top eight in the ranking and then the other eight. Without going over this line, then there are no important games such as Bayern-Milan, Barcellona-Chelsea and Real Madrid-Arsenal. We were one of the top teams in the most important tournament in Europe. It will be difficult for us but also difficult for them.’
RIJKAARD: ‘I wish Ancelotti and Tassotti the best'
2/13/2006
MILAN - Former team-mate of Carlo Ancelotti and current coach Frank Rijkaard said: ‘You asked me why there are a lot of coaches from Sacchi’s team? Perhaps because he taught us about the tactical side of the game. We worked hard and also learned a lot along with Capello, who is also a great coach. As for coaching for Milan, no I don’t think I would. I have lots of friends that work for Milan, like Carlo Ancelotti and Mauro Tassotti, and I wish them the best. Milan have many former players that could someday coach, but not me. I just don’t see it as possible for me. I am working with Barcelona, which is a great club. I don’t think about other things.’