Shevchenko Praises Milan Team-Mates Inzaghi And Pato

With Alexandre Pato and particularly Filippo Inzaghi continuing to steal the headlines for Milan,a certain Andriy Shevchenko sits patiently on the bench.

The Ballon d'Or winner made a much publicised return to Milan on loan from Chelsea, but it's been a largely unsuccessful second spell at the club for him, and his future remains uncertain.

Today he spoke to Sky Sport program 'Il Rosso e il Nero' ("the red and the black") about his personal situation, and about his prolific colleagues Pato and Inzaghi.

"Pippo [Inzaghi] has always scored goals," he said. "He never quit scoring. There was a moment where he also had some physical problems, but then he recovered again.Scoring goals is in his blood, he doesn't need anything else."

On being the second highest goalscorer in Milan's history with 175 goals, behind Gunnar Nordahl with 210, 'Sheva' said, "Playing in a great team, winning the Champions League, the league and playing at the highest level is a great joy in itself, but being the second highest goalscorer in this club's history is fantastic.

"I always hoped to reach the great Nordahl, but I'm afraid it's very difficult. Scoring again would be wonderful, but to score you have to play."

Asked if Pato is his heir, he said, "No, Pato has his own characteristics. In Milan's history no two players have been alike. If a player is a great champion, he should write his own history with his own name, he should not resemble someone else.

"The only thing Pato and I have in common is that he's a second striker like me. I think he has all the qualities to write Milan's history."

Danilo Pochini, Goal.com