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AC MILAN: CONFIDENCE, NOT FEAR

Carlo Ancelotti is focusing on defence and attitude ahead of Empoli.

/noticias.info/ MILANELLO – Carlo Ancelotti spoke from the pre-game press conference: ‘We hope to play a good game tomorrow. We must pay more attention in defence. We must try to concede less to our opponents and we must try to stay more covered and be more prudent. Empoli are a young team and are amongst the most dynamic in the league. The system used against Roma could give good results but it won’t be the same as Empoli’s because with Roma we must occupy the field in a different manner.

The coach then commented on what really happened at the beginning of the week: ‘Some false things were written about this week, there were no fights between the players. We must focus on our possibilities and our objectives. We don’t have to work on the fear, but instead work on the confidence in our possibilities. Certainly, we must take a good look at what we are doing and what we are doing at the moment is not enough. The foundation must be the defence. We aren’t afraid, we’re just having some difficulties and we must not allow outsiders to push their fear on us.’

Ancelotti then spoke about the classifications: ‘Certainly making points is fundamental and in order to do so we must do better at doing those things that we haven’t been doing the best lately. We played a good hour against Roma, but there were some areas where we didn’t do our best. We must play better, and be more careful on the defensive side and apply ourselves better when it comes to the defensive side. Last year we were shored up with the 0-0 against Lazio away, after the Italian Cup blow. I believe that game wasn’t played in a spectacular way, but there was a lot of concentration. That is exactly the kind of game that could help us now. Reaching fourth place is the minimum objective for this team. We must shorten the distance in as little time as possible.’

The coach spoke about some of the problems encountered this season: ‘The difficulties that we have had are tied to preparation. At the beginning we were able to rotate the players, then the injuries prevented us from continuing. Playing some of the players so often has lowered their condition. Nesta has the same problem with his shoulder. For now he must stop and focus on rest and recovery. He can’t play and I hope that he is able to recover for Athens. Nesta definitely isn’t in top shape but his performance has always been good. Kaladze and Ambrosini are closer to recovering, perhaps they will even be back in time for Athens.’

In finishing he spoke about some individual players: ‘We want to thank Amelia for the praise, but Milan’s keepers are Dida, Kalac and Fiori. His arrival in January is unthinkable. Our club is looking at various players on the market, not for right now but for next summer. Seedorf is applying himself with his national side, so (laughs Ancelotti) I want to thank Van Basten. Now, Clarence already has a smooth road ahead of him. He, Kakà and Simic played 90 minutes, therefore they will all rest. I called Van Basten after Netherlands-England because I wanted to know how it went and Marco was very happy. The two have resolved a problem of communication. Cafu can also play in the midfield, in some of the games. Gourcuff is starting to do decidedly better. After the forty day stop and the three consecutive games, now he is doing really well and is in good shape.’ notas_de_prensa_archivo