MILAN, January 14 (Serie A) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti had nothing but
praise for Alexandre Pato and Ronaldo after the Brazilian duo engineered a 5-2
victory over Napoli on Sunday.
Veteran striker Ronaldo opened his account for the season with two goals and
teenage sensation Pato also hit the back of the net on his debut as Milan
finally claimed their first league win of the campaign at the San Siro.
Ancelotti said: 'Ronaldo has done something extraordinary and it's all the
more impressive considering he has only been training for 10 days.
'He has proved he has great ability despite still not being at his best. It
has been a fantastic evening, especially with Pato having confirmed all the hype
about him.
'Pato is a very fast player with great technical skills and he is a mature
guy.
'His debut is on the same line as that of Kaka in Ancona. The feelings are
the same, there's value and there is a technically important element.
'I am really happy the fans applauded him and cheered him yesterday.'
Ancelotti's men are 25 points behind league leaders and bitter rivals
Internazionale, but trail fourth-placed Udinese by 11 and have three games in
hand.
The defending Champions League winners need to finish in the top four to
qualify for Europe's elite club competition.
It has been a difficult season for Ronaldo, who is under contract with Milan
until the summer. A muscle injury limited the Brazilian striker to just one
appearance before Sunday.
Ronaldo said: 'At this time I am not worried about my contract extension. My
main concern is to play and always try to do well.
'I have experienced the worst six months of my football career and to return
to play and score two goals has been great. Now I have returned and I am really
happy.'
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is confident Ronaldo will stay.
'I have an agreement with Ronaldo,' said Berlusconi on the club's official
website.
'Ronaldo is well aware Milan will fulfil their duty, the player has always
been supported and I don't believe there will be any problems regarding his
contract extension.'
The 18-year old Pato, meanwhile, is just glad to be playing.
He said: 'I must thank Milan for giving me the opportunity to play. I am
really happy for the game and for the goal that I have scored.
'I always dreamt of playing a game for AC Milan and that dream has come true.
In the future I want to become a great player in the Milan shirt.'
