Ignazio Abate intends to fight for a place at AC Milan
Italian defender Ignazio Abate said it was never his intention to leave AC Milan during the recent transfer window.
The 23-year-old full-back began playing for Milan's youth team in 1999 before making his senior team debut in 2003. After various loan spells, he spent one season with Empoli and one with Torino before returning to his former club last summer.
Former coach Leonardo Araujo employed Abate as a right-back during last season before extending the player's contract to 2014.
Despite being used as a winger by Massimiliano Allegri, who took charge of the club this summer, the Italian has said that he intends to continue to fight for a place in the starting team at the San Siro.
"I am here to prepare myself to the best of my abilities, and will be ready whenever the coach calls me up," he told the Milan Channel in an interview. "I have changed roles compared to last season under Leonardo, and I think it is normal that I
make some errors, but I hope to do well."
Abate has made a total of four appearances for Milan this season, three in the league and one in the Champions League.
Serie A title within reach this season
With the arrival of star strikers Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the defender said his team will be even better equipped to challenge for the Scudetto this season.
"I am working hard every single day. Under Leonardo, we played well, and were in the race to win the Scudetto when nobody predicted we had a chance. This season, we can do better, as many champions have arrived. We must not hide from the fact that we can
finish near the top."
With six games played, Allegri's team are fourth in the table on 11 points. Milan host Chievo after the international break.
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