Massimo Ambrosini backs AC Milan to win the Scudetto
AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has said it is high time for his team to collect their first Serie A trophy since 2004.
Massimiliano Allegri's team, boosted by the arrival of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer, top the Italian league with 29 points from 13 games. Milan claimed five league titles in the 1990's but only one in the last decade.
Speaking to Sky, Ambrosini said last month's 2–0 defeat away to Real Madrid in the Champions League motivated his team to perform in the league.
"The title has been missing since 2004 and now we really want to win it," said the 33-year-old. "The defeat against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu taught us something, so maybe it was a good thing to lose like that. It made us realise that
to compete at the highest level, it takes many different components."
Adaptable tactics a must
Ambrosini, who was brought to Milan by Fabio Capello in 1995, also said that Milan need to be able to adapt their tactics to the opposition as the season progresses.
In recent games, Ambrosini has formed part of a defensive midfield trio alongside Mathieu Flamini and Gennaro Gattuso as Allegri has left the now injured Andrea Pirlo and playmaker Ronaldinho outside of the starting lineup.
"In order to win and advance far in competitions, a team must have the ability to change and to understand what is needed in a given moment. This is a solution that is delivering results right now, but may not be the definitive one. We all
expect a lot from Pirlo, who is a crucial player for us, when he returns. During certain phases of the season the characteristics of the squad can be exploited. The problem with formations, beyond the tactics, is the spirit in which the squad interprets the
instructions."
Milan qualified for the Champions League's round of 16 on Tuesday 23 November after beating AJ Auxerre 2–0. Allegri's team travel to face Sampdoria on Saturday 27 November.
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