Alberto Gilardino reveals why he is doing so much better in
Europe and hopes Ronaldo can soon make his debut.
“It is only normal that if you start the way I did this season, with two goals
against Shakhtar, you are able to play every other game with a more relaxed
state of mind,” said the Milan striker.
He had struggled badly to break his duck on the continent, but has become
visibly more confident and was fielded as the lone striker during the 1-1 draw
with Benfica.
“It depends on the opponents, so the Coach does well to choose the right
tactical system for that situation. The two strikers worked better in Cagliari
and the one-forward system was more advisable here.”
Ronaldo was ready to make his Champions League debut for Milan, but pulled up
with a twinge during the warm-up.
“I am accustomed to both roles. Having said that, when Ronaldo is beside you it
creates more space and helps give the defenders something else to worry about.”
As Pippo Inzaghi is home with tonsillitis, Gilardino had to hold the fort on his
own in Lisbon.
“We played extremely good football for the first half-hour, then that goal from
distance changed the game and we tried to sit back a little more and control the
tempo. We attempted to move the ball around well, but the service didn’t always
get to me.”
Now Gila’s attention is aimed towards Tokyo, where Milan will compete in the
Club World Cup.
“This is my first time at the Club World Cup and after winning the top trophy at
international level I hope to also become world champion with Milan.” |