ENTHUSIASTIC OF MILAN

"They have been three difficult months for me, but now everything's over. I have to think about training to be ready as soon as possible. I'm still very enthusiastic about being here." - THE WORDS OF RONALDO -

MILANELLO - Going back to work makes Ronaldo happy as he leaves behind the problems of the start of the season and is preparing to give his contribution on the pitch. Today the Rossoneri Phenomenon talked exclusively to Milan Channel's microphones. Here is what he said:

'Three months have passed since my injury, it's been a difficult period for me but now, I think, my problems have passed. I leave behind an injury that caused me many problems. Now I only have to use the trainings with the team and get back in form as quickly as possible.'

'Staying out of the team is never easy, mentally it was very difficult for me, also because I wasn't sure when I would return. It's been tough, but we had the necessary calmness to heal and work and now I think it's all over. I see the end of my problems.'

'I'm still very enthusiastic about being here and have the possibility to help this team. Last year things went well, I did well in the league. Now a new season starts for me, even if a little later. We are there now.'

Ronaldo: My Injury Is Healed

Milan striker Ronaldo has revealed that he believes his injury-nightmare is finally over and is looking to return to action very soon.

The Brazilian superstar has yet to play this season due to a persistent knee problem and his return to the field has been repeatedly delayed due to setbacks.

However the 31-year-old has now returned to first team training with the rest of the squad and although he will sit out tomorrow’s clash with Torino, he is looking likely to feature against Atalanta next weekend.

“It’s three months since I picked up my injury and it has been a difficult period, but I think that it’s over now,” El Fenomeno told the Milan Channel.

“Now I’m just thinking of making the most of training with my team-mates and trying to be ready to play as soon as possible.

“Being on the sidelines is never easy and mentally it has been very tough not having a definite recovery date, but it’s all in the past now.”

The return of Ronaldo could provide Milan with a massive boost as their forward line has struggled for most of the season up to now.

Ancelotti: Time To Break San Siro Taboo

Milan Coach Carlo Ancelotti has called on his squad to register their first Serie A win at home this season, when they host Torino tomorrow night.

The Rossoneri have played five times at San Siro this campaign but have notched up just three draws and two defeats, and scored a paltry three goals.

“I think that it is time to break this taboo at San Siro, even though we don’t consider it a taboo,” Ancelotti said in today’s press conference.

“San Siro is our home and we want to return to do things well, even though it will not be easy because the game is delicate. It’s an important moment; tomorrow we shall need all the support of our public.”

Ancelotti also played down the recent comments of Real Madrid defender Fabio Cannavaro, who hinted that he would like to move to the Rossoneri to resurrect his telepathic partnership with Alessandro Nesta.

"Cannavaro? He's from Naples and likes to joke,” added Carletto.

“The fact that him and Nesta are a good couple was proven many times with the national team.”

Milan Would Love To Have Kompany

European champions AC Milan are reported to have developed a keen interest in Hamburger SV defensive star Vincent Kompany.

The Rossoneri have endured a rollercoaster campaign thus far and their creaky defense could certainly use some fresh reinforcements. The youthful vitality and dominating presence presented by the Belgian international would certainly fit the bill, and if the reports are to be believed a 10m Euro bid is being prepared for January.

The 21-year-old counts as one of the most promising defenders in the game and as such his club would only allow him to leave if Milan are willing to pay above the odds – especially since they were so unluckily to lose him for almost all of last season due to an injury he suffered shortly after arriving on a 8m euro deal from Anderlecht as a direct replacement for Daniel van Buyten.

Milan are also said to be interested in Werder Bremen defender Per Mertesacker, though there have been no reports of them being ready to splash big cash on the towering German international defender just yet.

Gilardino Thanks Milan Fans

In-form Milan striker Alberto Gilardino has thanked the Milan fans who helped lead them to an emphatic victory over Sampdoria last night.

The Rossoneri thrashed the Blucerchiati 5-0 at the Stadio Ferraris, with Gilardino hitting the back of the net twice.

Gila has now scored six goals in five games and has won over the Milan fans who booed him when he went the first nine matches of the season without scoring.

"Tonight it went well and the whole team played good football,” said Gilardino.

“After the first goal the match was unlocked and the flow of the game changed completely. When we manage to go in front we always start playing with more serenity and controlling the proceedings.

“Tonight the fans were very important, because despite it being a midweek match they came in many numbers and I'm very thankful to them.”

Milan next face Torino on Saturday evening and Gilardino is hoping that the Rossoneri can finally win their first Serie A match at home this campaign.

“In two days we are playing another match again. Let's hope that on Saturday night we can finally break this taboo at San Siro and finally pick up three points at home," the striker concluded.

Gourcuff Hopes For Run In The Team

Milan youngster Yoann Gourcuff is hoping to play with continuity after scoring against Sampdoria last night.

The 21-year-old came on as a second-half substitute to score the fourth goal in the Rossoneri’s 5-0 win at the Stadio Ferraris.

The Frenchman is regarded as one of the most promising young players in Serie A, but with a plethora of talent ahead of him in the Rossoneri midfield, he has found chances hard to come by.

Last season Gourcuff made just 14 appearances for Milan and things have not been much better this time around.

“My hope is always the same, that is to play with continuity,” said Gourcuff.

“It is for this reason that during training I do my best to improve and to show my coach all of my desire.

"Five goals give trust to a team. I’m happy that we managed to score them last night and that after my goal my team-mates all came to hug me.”

Gourcuff finished by looking ahead to Saturday’s home match with Torino.

“I hope, for our club and our fans who come to San Siro, that we can also win on Saturday,” added the ex-Rennes star.

“It would be very important for the serenity and the morale of this team.”

Ancelotti's Solution: Score First, Score Early

Carlo Ancelotti made it all sound so simple after his side thrashed Sampdoria 5-0 this evening: get the first goal, and victory will be yours...

AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that the first goal - hopefully an early one - is key to his AC Milan side's quest for a home victory.

They have not yet won at the San Siro in the league, but a 5-0 thrashing of Sampdoria in Genoa indicated that there is sufficient talent to do so.

Ancelotti, then, feels that going all-out for the first goal could be the answer.

"We just need to break the deadlock," he told the press after the 5-0 win.

"Our victory tonight proves that individual incidents settle matches. In home games, we struggle to score first, and then things become difficult.

"It's key to score first: once you do that, space appears for you. And In the first half tonight we did well, and put a lot of pressure on Sampdoria."

That being said, not all was rosy in the Milanese garden. They didn't open the scoring until the second period, by which time the manager had already locked horns with star midfielder Kaka.

"Kaka wanted to go a bit deeper, but I wanted to channel play up the flanks, instead," explained Ancelotti on the vocal difference of opinion between the pair.

"We discuss positioning on the pitch, but he knows where he needs to be."

Goalkeeper Nelson Dida, meanwhile, had his second consecutive fine showing in Milan colours.

"At 0-0, he was great for us," agreed the coach. "He's gone through a tough time, but he's got some pride back now."

Milan remain mid-table with just 13 points from 30.

ROSSONERI HURRICANE

Milan raise their head again. It's a red and black hurricane which overwhelms Sampdoria at Marassi. Five brilliant goals for a victory that could turn out to be decisive for the team's morale.

A medicine for the whole team and the environment. Five goals away from home against a Sampdoria side who had never conceded any goals when playing at home this season. After the two consecutive defeats against Empoli and Roma Milan raise their heads again with pride and anger, imposing all of their class.

The protagonists of the match were Alberto Gilardino who scored a splendid brace, Ricky Kaká on a perfect assist by Gilardino, Gourcuff and Clarence Seedorf.

Aside from the amount of goals scored there were many positive notes for Carlo Ancelotti. The great return of Alberto Gilardino, a pure striker who was able to carry the team on his shoulder with an anger that is usually not considered one of his qualities. The alternative solutions provided by the improving condition of Serginho, who's playing as a midfielder who is always able to create numerical superiority and find space for dangerous crosses. Finally, why not, the goal by Yoann Gourcuff, a powerful shot from close range, it was almost a liberation for him, a technical move that gives self esteem to the player and takes some pressure off his shoulders.

Without the suspended Massimo Ambrosini, Milan showed once again they have important players available on every occasion. Once again Cristian Brocchi showed his worth, as he sacrificed himself to the team, fighting, running, and as he often does, also found a winning assist for a team mate. Cristian was great tonight, showing enthusiasm and fighting spirit throughout the match.

This new step towards a more balanced performance level was undoubtedly fundamental, but now it becomes necessary to win at San Siro. An important performance in front of the home fans is necessary, also to show the team is able to win against teams who come to Milan to defend themselves. This Milan has all the players, the pride, and the anger to get past any difficulties.

Sampdoria 0:5 AC Milan - match report

Scorers: Kaka 47 (M), Gilardino 53, 61 (M), Gourcuff 75 (M), Seedorf 80 (M)

Milan may be incapable of winning at San Siro, but they are having no problems on their travels, as they have scored 10 goals in their last two away games.

The Rossoneri had their worst Serie A start since 1983 with just 10 points in nine games and the 1-0 home defeat to Roma on Sunday all but ended their Scudetto ambitions. Massimo Ambrosini saw red in that tie and was suspended, joining the injured Massimo Oddo, Marek Jankulovski and Ronaldo in the stands. Milan had started the season with a 3-0 win in this stadium against Genoa and hoped it would bring them luck again.

Samp were also struggling after the 2-0 loss at Catania and a new Antonio Cassano thigh injury, while Gennaro Delvecchio, Pietro Accardi and the suspended Hugo Campagnaro missed out.

On 10 minutes from a corner kick Kakha Kaladze's downward header was fingertipped off the line by a very alert Luca Castellazzi in a spectacular and decisive save.

The home side lost Stefano Lucchini to injury after just 15 minutes, but they almost took the lead when Luigi Sala went on a strong run through the centre and his deflected strike was fingertipped over the bar by Nelson Dida.

Although the Rossoneri had a strong start, they became increasingly shaky at the back as the first half wore on. Yet Clarence Seedorf went close to opening the scoring against his former club, a volley wide at the back post.

Milan broke through within 90 seconds of the restart. Andrea Pirlo's chipped pass over the defence found Gilardino and he cut back for Kaka to tap in from seven yards.

Gila turned scorer soon after, as he doubled the Rossoneri's advantage. Seedorf confused the defence with some smart footwork and Serginho's cross found a Gilardino header.

The former Parma striker was on stunning form and made it 3-0. He gathered from Serginho with his back to goal and turned marker Bastrini to place a quick finish past Castellazzi from close range.

Milan were utterly dominant at Marassi and Yoann Gourcuff got his first goal of the campaign with a splendid finish in off the underside of the crossbar from a tight angle.

Seedorf rounded out the 5-0 scoreline with a precise close-range header from a Daniele Bonera cross from the right.

Sampdoria: Castellazzi; Lucchini (Bastrini 15), Sala, Gastaldello; Maggio, Palombo, Volpi, Ziegler (Bonazzoli 75); Sammarco, Bellucci (Caracciolo 66); Montella

Milan: Dida; Bonera, Nesta, Kaladze, Serginho (Simic 76); Gattuso (Gourcuff 67), Pirlo, Brocchi; Seedorf, Kakà (Cafu 81), Gilardino

Ref: Ayroldi

THE EVALUATIONS ARE MADE AT THE END

Three points in five home games and four points in the last five games of the league are certainly very few in comparison to Milan's potential, but the 2007/08 Serie A season did not end yesterday

MILAN - Here is the comparison between the last two season of the Rossoneri, in the same period.

2006-2007
Points in the table after 9 league matches: 7
Points after 3 matches in the Champions League: 7 (first place)
European Supercup: did not participate
Club World Cup: not on the calendar
Tim Cup - Coppa Italia: not started yet

2007-2008
Points in the table after 9 league matches: 10
Points after 3 matches in the Champions League: 6 (first place)
European Supercup: Won against Sevilla
Club World Cup: on the calendar for December
Tim Cup - Coppa Italia: not started yet

Last year Milan had promised themselves to wait until the end to assess the situation, and the same goes for this year. It's very important to win again in the league, and the whole of Milan will do everything to reach that objective, but the assessments have to be made at the end of all competitions. Yesterday came a defeat in Serie A, it's a delicate moment, but the league did not finish yesterday: it ends on the 38th matchday. Also in other competitions, except one, the European Supercup which has already been won, everything is still open and everything can still happen.

Brocchi: We Will Have The Last Laugh

Milan midfielder Cristian Brocchi is confident the club can re-emerge from this difficult period of form and go on to achieve more success.

The Rossoneri go into tomorrow's match at Sampdoria having made their worst start to a domestic season for 24 years.

"For tomorrow's game we definitely need to think positive," said Brocchi.

"We are all hoping to return home with a victory, because unfortunately in the league we've been losing too many points and it's time we go back to having a normal consistency to obtain what are our objectives.

The team's struggles in the league have a resembling parallel to last year when Milan finished a whopping 36 points behind Scudetto-winners Inter but ended the year as European Champions.

This campaign Milan have also impressed in Europe with excellent home performances against Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk.

"In the past we've already gone through difficult times, but in the end the strong character of the squad has always comes through," Brocchi pointed out.

"Last season everyone was against us, but we went forward just the same and we obtained our objective, the Champions League final, even though many people laughed at us when we said that.

"In the end, though, it was us who laughed when we became European Champions. Again, I think this team has the will to win and we will get out of this delicate moment together."

Berlusconi's Rossoneri remedy

Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has an unorthodox solution for the Rossoneri’s slump and condemns protests against Adriano Galliani.

The Diavolo are going through a miserable period and are languishing in the bottom half of the table.

While critics are falling over themselves to prescribe the cure to the Milan malaise, Berlusconi insists that his men are working too hard.

“The players are too tired, they need a rest,” he told journalists.

“Rather than have the players come to Milanello for training, they should go home and get some sleep.”

The lack of a reliable hitman has blighted Carlo Ancelotti’s side so far this campaign, but Berlusconi believes the solution will come from Brazilian stars Ronaldo and newcomer Alexandre Pato.

“We are still without two of our strongest strikers who have been at the centre of our transfer campaigns over the last two years,” the Milan chief continued.

“The young Brazilian has shown himself to be a great champion. When we played defence v attack in training the other day it finished 8-0 and Pato scored seven.”

Berlusconi concluded by lambasting those sections of the ground that chose to protest against Vice-President Galliani during the Roma game.

“There aren’t words to describe that kind of behaviour,” he roared.

“Milan are European champions and Super Cup winners and we are going to play in the Club World Cup.

"It isn’t right to protest because of a run where we don’t play all that well.”

Ancelotti: We're not depressed

Carlo Ancelotti insists Milan are “not depressed” after getting off to their worst Serie A start in 24 years and won’t change their system.

“We are not depressed, just disappointed. After the game we evaluated the current form,” he explained following their 1-0 home defeat to Roma, leaving the side with just 10 points from nine games.

“It is a tough time, especially on home turf. Today was a balanced match with chances for both sides. They broke the deadlock, although we played just as well.”

Mirko Vucinic’s strike secured the victory, but it could have been more as Daniele De Rossi chipped a penalty off target and Massimo Ambrosini was sent off.

It was a completely different performance to that seen in the midweek 4-1 demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

“We didn’t do as well as Wednesday,” continued Ancelotti. “We have to think of how to quickly get over this tough moment. We are very inconsistent, a little distracted and as usual conceded a goal with a cross from the byeline. We can do better.

“I did not shout at anyone. We just need to find the cure for what ails us and the only certain thing I can say is that we will not change our tactics. We are all united and can get back up again, just as we did in the past. When we have other players at our disposal, then perhaps we can adjust a few things.”

The Rossoneri went into this match without the injured Ronaldo, Massimo Oddo and Marek Jankulovski, forcing veteran Paolo Maldini to go back to his roots at left-back.

“Paolo is in good shape and I asked him to play as left-back. He had no problems with it and I would never have pushed if he had not wanted that role.”

AC Milan 0:1 AS Roma

Scorer: Vucinic 72 (R)

Milan cannot shake off their dismal home form, as Mirko Vucinic gave Roma a victory that all but rules the Rossoneri out of the title race. Daniele De Rossi also missed a penalty and Massimo Ambrosini was dismissed.

The Scudetto contenders went head-to-head to see who would get back on track in the hunt for leaders Inter. Both sides have been inconsistent in Serie A this season, but they also had injury worries, as Francesco Totti, Alberto Aquilani, Mauro Esposito and Rodrigo Taddei were ruled out for the visitors, while Marek Jankulovski, Massimo Oddo and Ronaldo forced a reshuffle at Milan. Veterans Paolo Maldini and Marcos Cafu took on their old roles.

Both were coming off confidence-boosting Champions League wins midweek, in which Mirko Vucinic netted his first goal of the campaign. Last term Roma won both trips here against Milan and Inter.

There was a good chance for the visitors when Vucinic pounced on a Kakha Kaladze error, but Nelson Dida was alert and rushed off his line to clear. Amantino Mancini robbed Andrea Pirlo only to shoot off target, while Daniele De Rossi helped crowd out Kaka.

On 16 minutes a Kaka angled drive from the edge of the area shaved a coat of paint off the far post with Alexander Doni beaten. Dida did well to turn a powerful Cicinho strike round the far post, but from the resulting corner the goalkeeper did not clear effectively and made up for it with a fine one-handed save on Cicinho's right-foot volley.

Cicinho almost hit the back of the net at the other end, his deflection anticipating Alberto Gilardino skimming his own goalmouth. But Dida was under a lot of pressure during this period, flying to palm a De Rossi rocket out of the far top corner.

Roma should have taken the lead on 27 minutes with a classic counter-attack, but when Mancini rolled across, Vucinic side-footed wide with only Dida to beat.

There were chances for both sides in an entertaining game, Clarence Seedorf drilling two opportunities past the post and Kaka's was deflected wide. Cafu's crucial tackle halted a dangerous Vucinic counter-attack and Philippe Mexes' toe-poke prevented Gilardino tapping in Seedorf's assist from six yards.

After the restart Gennaro Gattuso chested down the ball and flicked it past Juan before firing straight at Doni. The goalkeeper rushed out to smother Kaka's through pass to Pirlo and Gilardino's looping free header skimmed the woodwork from Maldini's cross.

It was Roma who eventually broke the deadlock. Cicinho went on the counter from Mancini's assist and crossed from the right for a splendid Vucinic diving header at the near post.

Substitute Serginho set up a good chance for Gilardino, but there was another turning point 10 minutes from time. Ambrosini held De Rossi's shirt as the Roma midfielder went for a header, leading to both a penalty and a second booking for the Milan man. De Rossi took the kick himself and attempted to chip it over Dida, but in fact fired over the bar.

That dreadful miss restored the Rossoneri's confidence, even though they were playing with 10 men, as Gilardino's twisting header shaved the base of the far post.

Ludovic Giuly struck the side-netting in stoppages and Dida was surprised by the former Barcelona star's snapshot, able to control it at the second attempt, as Roma cruised to victory.

Milan: Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini (Favalli 78); Gattuso (Serginho 74), Pirlo, Ambrosini; Seedorf, Kakà, Gilardino

Roma: Doni; Cicinho (Panucci 84), Mexes, Juan, Cassetti; De Rossi, Pizarro; Mancini (Giuly 76), Perrotta (Brighi 59), Tonetto; Vucinic

Ref: Rosetti

Sent off: Ambrosini 79 (M)

Missed penalty: De Rossi 80 (R)