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EXCLUSIVE: Luther Blissett Backs AC Milan Stars Marco Borriello And Ronaldinho To Shine Against Manchester United
Former Rossoneri striker looks ahead to Champions League showdown
Feb 15, 2010 11:00:00 AM
By Matt Monaghan
Former AC Milan forward Luther Blissett has warned Manchester United that Marco Borriello is ready to make a name for himself if passed fit to face them this week.
Blissett, 52, has a foot in both camps as an ex-Rossoneri player and boyhood United fan. The Stevenage Borough youth coach led the line for Milan during the 1983-84 season and grabbed five goals in 30 Serie A appearances before he was transferred back to Watford.
Borriello is in a race against time to prove his fitness for Tuesday's Champions League second round, first leg clash after missing the 3-2 win against Udinese on Friday night. Leonardo will be keen for the 27-year-old striker to come through tests from his medical staff even though understudy Klaas-Jan Huntelaar bagged a brace in the game.
Blissett - an ambassador for Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign - predicted that the unheralded Italian international has “all the attributes” to become a Milan striking great, and makes the side "tick."
“I watched Borriello when he was at Genoa when I was working as a television pundit and he looked like such a good player,” he said.
“I couldn’t figure out why he was there. He’s coming in to a good run of form now and he’s got all the attributes to be one of the all-time greats for Milan.
“A lot of people won’t be aware of him but he can hold the ball up, is good in the air, his shooting is decent, he’s got good ability to get in behind defences and he makes Milan tick.”
While Borriello has crept under the radar even though he’s bagged seven league goals this term, everyone’s attention is centred on Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney. ‘Ronnie’s’ renaissance has him at the top of the Italian assists chart, while Rooney is the Premier League’s top scorer.
Blissett heaped praise on both superstars and stated United’s talisman is on track to match Ronaldinho’s achievements.
“At this time of their careers you have to go for Rooney if you had to choose between the two, but you’d go for the Ronaldinho of three or four years ago every time.
"Rooney is well on his way to reaching that level and you can see now that his appetite, will to win and instincts are getting sharper all the time.”
The United players can expect a hostile reception when they take to the pitch tomorrow night. Blissett enthused about his experience of the “phenomenal” atmosphere in the San Siro, though was convinced United’s experienced European campaigners will not be intimidated by it.
“The games in Italy are just phenomenal because you get the flares, the noise and the horns going off. It’s a crescendo of everything and it is just fantastic,” he said.
“The ones who have been at United for a while played at the San Siro three years ago and will know exactly what to expect.
“When you play for Manchester United or AC Milan, every game is a big game. No-one will be intimidated by the opposition or the occasion.
“If Milan turn United over by a couple of goals then it will be a tall order. If United keep it tight and come away with a draw or even a goal advantage I can see them pushing on from there.”
Kick It Out works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change. Visit www.kickitout.org to find out more information.
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Blissett, 52, has a foot in both camps as an ex-Rossoneri player and boyhood United fan. The Stevenage Borough youth coach led the line for Milan during the 1983-84 season and grabbed five goals in 30 Serie A appearances before he was transferred back to Watford.
Borriello is in a race against time to prove his fitness for Tuesday's Champions League second round, first leg clash after missing the 3-2 win against Udinese on Friday night. Leonardo will be keen for the 27-year-old striker to come through tests from his medical staff even though understudy Klaas-Jan Huntelaar bagged a brace in the game.
Blissett - an ambassador for Kick It Out, football's equality and inclusion campaign - predicted that the unheralded Italian international has “all the attributes” to become a Milan striking great, and makes the side "tick."
“I watched Borriello when he was at Genoa when I was working as a television pundit and he looked like such a good player,” he said.
“I couldn’t figure out why he was there. He’s coming in to a good run of form now and he’s got all the attributes to be one of the all-time greats for Milan.
“A lot of people won’t be aware of him but he can hold the ball up, is good in the air, his shooting is decent, he’s got good ability to get in behind defences and he makes Milan tick.”
While Borriello has crept under the radar even though he’s bagged seven league goals this term, everyone’s attention is centred on Ronaldinho and Wayne Rooney. ‘Ronnie’s’ renaissance has him at the top of the Italian assists chart, while Rooney is the Premier League’s top scorer.
Blissett heaped praise on both superstars and stated United’s talisman is on track to match Ronaldinho’s achievements.
Twin threat | Borriello and Ronaldinho in fine form
“At this time of their careers you have to go for Rooney if you had to choose between the two, but you’d go for the Ronaldinho of three or four years ago every time.
"Rooney is well on his way to reaching that level and you can see now that his appetite, will to win and instincts are getting sharper all the time.”
The United players can expect a hostile reception when they take to the pitch tomorrow night. Blissett enthused about his experience of the “phenomenal” atmosphere in the San Siro, though was convinced United’s experienced European campaigners will not be intimidated by it.
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"Both nations have had their own versions of the Holy Trinity - Law, Charlton and Best for Man Utd in the 1960s, and Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard for Milan in the late 80s and early 90s." You can find all our Man Utd-Milan editorial content here |
“The games in Italy are just phenomenal because you get the flares, the noise and the horns going off. It’s a crescendo of everything and it is just fantastic,” he said.
“The ones who have been at United for a while played at the San Siro three years ago and will know exactly what to expect.
“When you play for Manchester United or AC Milan, every game is a big game. No-one will be intimidated by the opposition or the occasion.
San Siro striker | Blissett spent one season at Milan
“If Milan turn United over by a couple of goals then it will be a tall order. If United keep it tight and come away with a draw or even a goal advantage I can see them pushing on from there.”
Kick It Out works throughout the football, educational and community sectors to challenge discrimination, encourage inclusive practices and work for positive change. Visit www.kickitout.org to find out more information.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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