OBJECTIVE: 3 POINTS AT SAN SIRO!
"We are all waiting for our first home victory. For Sunday we have great expectations and let's hope to get our first points in front of the San Siro audience."
- MARCOS CAFU'S PRESS CONFERENCE –
MILANELLO - Here are the declarations made by Marcos Cafu made during today's press conference which was held at 14.00 at the Milanello sporting center.
Can we say by now that the Brazilians on an individual level are the strongest players in the world, after the match we saw by the national team, and that Kaká is the best of them all?
"Yes, in this moment Kaká is undoubtedly the best. He's a player who has matured a lot, he has shown and continues to show he is a champion, I consider him the number one and I think he deserves the Golden Ball."
You are seen as a reference point for many Brazilians who come to you to discuss their personal problems. In this regard what can you tell us about Ronaldo, how he is doing?
"I hope Ronie will come back as soon as possible, then as far as the clinical aspects go I can't say much, you have to ask the doctors. We all want to see him back so that he can show his worth, unfortunately he had this injury that prevented him from going on the pitch until now, but Ronie too is eager to come back."
Do you think that this injury has damaged his confidence?
"As long as he can't come back on the pitch a bit of uncertainty is completely normal, but the important thing is that he stays calm and awaits the most appropriate moment to come back because after that he will no longer need physiotherapy."
And how are you doing Marcos? You are often called into action when turnover becomes necessary.
"I'm always ready, in any circumstance, we all have to be always ready. It's normal that when you don't play with regularity it's difficult to get back to your best condition. Unfortunately we found some difficulties after the opening victory in Genoa, but then gradually we improved. But there are still a lot of matches to go, but we have to stay calm and work well. The thing that disappoints me is that when Milan lose they say we have old players, but when we win they say nothing. We are a united group and we win or lose all together, we obtain our results together."
The San Siro audience are awaiting the first home victory in the league, do you think it might come this Sunday against Empoli?
"We are all awaiting this big home victory just like our public, also against Fiorentina and Catania we came on the pitch to take home the three points. For Sunday we all have great expectations and we really hope to get our first three points in front of our audience at San Siro against Empoli."
Both on Sunday against Empoli and Wednesday against Shakhtar you will be facing two fundamental games where you cannot lose points.
"Now begins a period where all the matches are important, fundamental even. We have to keep faith in ourselves and increase it as we do well. If against Empoli and then against Shakhtar we play two great matches we will have more serenity to face our next encounters."
How does it feel to play with Curva Sud empty at San Siro?
"It's an awful feeling, we always hope to have many fans on our side present, because they are really important. Their support always gives an extra boost."
Yesterday Drogba said he wants to leave Chelsea, how do you think he would do at Milan?
"He's a very strong player, any player or coach would want him in their squad. It's known how good a player he is because he's always shown it on the pitch."
Do you already know what you will do next year?
"This season has just started, there are still many things to face before the next transfer window. Milan are a squad full of very experienced players, I don't know what I'll do in my future yet, I will decide next year at the end of the league. If I would decide not to stay at Milan, I could evaluate the possibility to go to Japan or somewhere else, perhaps I will stay in Italy, again I don't know, but I'm nothing of quitting just yet."
Pato?
"I think he's a great player, but he still has to show a lot, we are all eagerly waiting for January when we will be able to see him play. But Pato has to remain calm, he has to insert himself gradually in the Italian football scene, but no one should hold overly high expectations of him. Off the pitch he is a good lad, he comes from a good family."
Marcos, you are very good friends with Dida. Do you think he could have handled the situation better after what happened in Glasgow?
"I know Dida very well, we have talked about what happened. But he is a person that has to be understood, he has his personality and we should not try to change it. Nelson has to remain calm, he has to think about what happened and what he is going through. To me he remains the number one."
It's well known that Brazilians always tend to smile, but Dida and Ronaldo aren't showing this smile at the moment.
"Yes sure. But they both accepted the situation as it came. They are things that happen, they have to continue to work and look ahead."
Don't you think the hype surrounding Pato has been bigger than when Kaká joined Milan?
"Kaká really had to show his worth, and when he came we already had Rui Costa and Leonardo in the team. But around Pato there has been too much expectation, we have to be cautious and take care of Alexandre because much patience is needed with a young player like him."
timothy, 27/11/2006 - 16/08/2010