MILAN – These are the declarations of the Rossoneri players at the end of Milan-Braga 1-0:
KAKHA KALADZE:
“I’m very happy for myself, but especially for the team that won. I managed to return on the pitch and play for ninety minutes with feeling any pain. However, we must compliment the entire team for this evening. Even Nelson was very good on a save in the first half. Braga is a team which plays the ball well, they were well placed on the pitch, but luckily Ronaldinho's extraordinary goal arrived.
“Tonight it was the first time that I played alongside Senderos in the middle of the defence, it went well, as we were both returning from an injury and we managed not to suffer goals, this is the important thing. Now many close games await us, the important thing is to always manage to win because this way we feel less tired.
“On Sunday we shall go to Lecce, we must take the three points because it is important to maintain the top spot in the standings. It was difficult to arrive at the top and now we must be good enough not to make mistakes. On Sunday against Napoli we had many chances which we did not finish, then once Ronaldinho’s goal arrived, all went well.”
RONALDINHO:
“I'm happy for everything. Tonight’s goal is different to the others, because it arrived from outside the penalty area. Rino was good to recover that ball and see me behind me, allowing me the chance to shoot. He was the one who gave me the opportunity to score. Me and him compliment each other and I think that both of us are important in the same way for the team.”
PHILIPPE SENDEROS:“It was quite a difficult game for me from the physical point of view, but once I went in it started getting better. Then we didn't suffer a goal and it’s a positive thing. For me it has been a long time since I last played in an official competition, I need to put in minutes in my legs to find back my condition and return to my highest level.
“Now at the end of the game I feel tired, I must recover well and we shall see by the end of the week. For me it was a difficult period, arriving in a club and not being able to prove my qualities. I worked well, trying to return as soon as possible. It has been just a week that I started training with the team, we shall see how I will be in the coming days.
“Those of tonight were three important points and we managed to achieve them. On Sunday we shall go to Lecce, it will be a difficult game because away from home.”
ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO:
“I saw a good Milan side tonight. At the end we arrive from a series of games won in consecutive ways in the Uefa Cup. Tonight it wasn’t easy, because in the team we had various players who were coming back following a bit of time. The experiment of the three attackers, two of whom wide, went well. We created many chances. The difficulties were due also to their positioning, Because tehy defended in many players and we did not have too much space. I miss the goal, it’s true, especially at San Siro. Tonight I tried to score with many chances. I think that I have always done the right choice, except once, where I could have passed the ball. However, what is important is that I feel fine, the legs move always well. Pippo and me? We don’t get in each other’s way. In the cup it’s not a problem who scores, even though we’re at the top of the European top-scorers. That’s history…we live in the present.”
EMERSON:“The entire team did well, it was important to win and we managed despite the game was not easy. In the first half we could have done more, but luckily then we managed to find the win and practically reach the qualification.
“In the midfield we always play trying to manage the moves, today I tried to give good balls to my team-mates, but the important thing is the spirit with whom this team went on the pitch, it always wants to win.
“Ronaldinho came in and managed to solve the game with his goal. On Sunday Lecce will be waiting for us, in today’s football no game is easy, but if our objective is the Scudetto, Milan has the responsibility to do well.”
CLARENCE SEEDORF:
“I believe that we did well for the entire game. They have a tough team and this was proved by the few goals they suffered this season. They have real qualities, not comparable to ours, but during the game they did very good thing. Today everyone knows how to defend well, for this reason we need head and determination. The goal can arrive at the start of the game or at the end. For many players today it wasn’t easy, because it was the first time that they played in this position. The coach is giving the opportunity to everyone and it’s fair that it’s like this, because Milan does not look at the present only, but also at the future. Now we go to Lecce, like I said, knowing that it will not be an easy game and we shall prepare it like we should. We look at ourselves and what we do. Inter will play against Udinese, but we must think only about maintaining this rhythm and continuing with these results. At least for two more games, then there will be the break and will allow us to rest, before another long series of games.
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