Brazilian Trio Unleashed
AC Milan will have a new three-pronged Brazilian attack when the second half of the Italian season kicks-off this weekend following a three-week winter break. Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has been talking about this partnership for months and has likened it to the great Swedish ‘Grenoli’ partnership of the 1950s. Gre-No-Li was of course the Gunnar Gren, Gunnar Nordahl and Nils Liedholm triumvirate and 50 years later its Brazilian equivalent consists of Kaka, Pato and Ronaldo (Ka-Pa-Ro).
Kaka is already the world player of the year, while the word from inside the San Siro is that Ronaldo has started to get back in shape and should be flying soon, but the most excitement is reserved for the teenager Pato. At just 18 years of age he has had barely half a season of experience in senior football and that for Internacional in Brazil. But the whole of Italy is awaiting his introduction to Serie A and Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has already said that could happen as early as this weekend, against Napoli.
Milan have been in desperate need of a boost at home in the league having gone their first seven games at the San Siro without winning, losing twice and scoring a paltry three goals in the process. That has been the main cause of their poor league position and lacklustre start to the season. They sit 12th, a massive 25 points off leaders Inter Milan and notwithstanding their three games in hand, their title hopes are certainly dead.
Even the players admit it with Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Nesta both claiming that Milan’s sights have been set somewhat lower. “The goal in the championship is fourth place because it’s unthinkable that Milan will not qualify for the Champions League,” said Gattuso. “Our aim is to win as many matches in a row as possible and go on a positive run. In the fight for fourth place I think we have a really dangerous challenger to look out for: Fiorentina,” added Nesta.
But with a rejuvenated Ronaldo and with Pato’s arrival, Milan certainly have the squad and the quality to bounce back. Despite Milan not yet winning at home, Napoli will certainly not arrive at the San Siro on Sunday believing they’re the favourites. But if Pato does feature at all, that could work in Napoli’s favour with Milan’s focus shifting from simply winning the game.
Plus the expectation on Pato’s shoulders is immense. “In terms of quality he will certainly give us something extra and we have no fears about heaping too much responsibility on his shoulders,” said Ancelotti.
However, others are more guarded. “Is he the new Ronaldo, I think so. But there is a risk that the expectation will put too much pressure on him,” added Kaka.
But Milan do need any such distractions and simply must win to start clawing back some of the ground they have lost on rivals. With Inter 25 points clear and Roma and Juventus 18 and 17 points ahead respectively, Milan must look to try to close the 11-point gap to fourth-placed Udinese and the 10-point one to fifth placed Fiorentina. Source
"... we have no fears about heaping too much responsibility on his shoulders.” Huh. He just went ahead and said it. Doesn't Kaka feel bad calling Pato the next Ronaldo when Ronaldo IS STILL THERE?! He's still part of your team, 'member? Plz don't be calling someone the next Genna while I'm still around mmmkthx.