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| Ronaldinho is enjoying coach Leonardo's approval after finding his form [EPA] |
Seven-time European Champions AC Milan have been buoyed by Brazilian Ronaldinho's return to form, knowing that a win against visiting French side Olympique Marseille on Wednesday will qualify the Italians for the knockout stages of the Champions League.
The attacking trio of Ronaldinho, Marco Borriello and Alexandre Pato have enabled the Serie A side to top Group C on the same points as Real Madrid, despite a rollercoaster start to their campaign, hallmarked by a shock home defeat by FC Zurich and a win at Real.
Ronaldinho has found consistency after a frustrating first 16 months in Italy, leading AC Milan coach Leonardo to compliment the former two-time world player of the year, saying he is close to his best form.
The 29-year-old, now settled on the left of a front three, blasted in a penalty and produced some exquisite touches in Sunday's 4-3 win over Cagliari.
Finding form
"Now, he is very focused and working hard for the team,'' Leonardo said of Ronaldinho.
"He is approaching his best form from the past. Finally, he understands (what he has to do) and has found the right role.''
Ronaldinho has been playing on the left wing but often drifts infield to link with Borriello and Pato.
"For me it's easy to be able to play with intelligent players like Marco Borriello and Alexandre Pato who understand what I can do for them on the pitch," Ronaldinho said.
"I feel great and where I'm playing I can do my best.''
"I'm happy to play behind the strikers, but where I'm playing now is my best position.
"Right now playing at the San Siro makes me feel good, here I feel at home, the fans understand I needed their support and this makes me happy."
Forward Borriello was so impressive against Cagliari he could keep European specialist Filippo Inzaghi out of the line-up while coach Leonardo will have defender Alessandro Nesta back from suspension after shipping three bad goals on Sunday.
Leonardo is hoping to welcome back midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who began his career on the south coast of France before moving to Arsenal and then Milan. Borriello is set to undergo a test on a knee injury but is likely to play.
"I twisted my ankle last Wednesday,'' Flamini said.
"I could not play on Sunday and we'll take a test on Tuesday. I will then train with my teammates to see whether I am OK or not. But I'd really love to be present for this game.''
Mixed season
Marseille go into the match off the back of a morale-boosting 1-0 victory against fierce rivals Paris Saint-Germain, but it has been a mixed season for Didier Deschamps' side, who are seventh in the league standings.
"We had a good rhythm and pace (against PSG),'' midfielder Fabrice Abriel said.
"We managed to keep it up in the good parts and bad parts of the match. We protected our goal and looked after the ball and made their players do the running.
"We should have scored more than the one goal though.
"Milan will play its game no matter what happens and play attacking football. They will try to put us under pressure, play the ball and use their individual skills. We can't fear them, even if we respect them.
Abriel said the man to watch would be Clarence Seedorf, who set up both Inzaghi's goals in Milan's 2-1 win at Marseille in September.
"Seedorf is their most important player and we'll have to keep an eye on him," said Abriel.
"He's the one who gives all the good balls, he's very intelligent and he's real added value for Milan."
Milan are joint top of Group C, along with Madrid on seven points. Marseille are third with six, three more than Zurich.
If Marseille lose, Real will go through at their expense with a home win over Zurich.
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