Berlusconi worried by Pato injuries

Nov 23, 2012 6:55:00 PM

The AC Milan owner has admitted that the Brazilian's struggles for fitness are a problem, and could potentially hamper his development at the club

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi has voiced his concerns about forward Alexandre Pato's series of injuries.

The Brazil international had picked up a thigh knock during his side's 3-1 over Anderlecht in the Champions League, adding to the catalogue of fitness problems that has hampered him in 2012.

“Pato is a problem,” Berlusconi told reporters.

“We really hope that he can fully recover from all these injuries. It is a problem because he was the one Milan player with the brightest future ahead of him.”

The former Prime Minister of Italy went on to say that his recent visits to the team have had a positive effect on the squad's results.

“I will be at Milanello tomorrow because Milan need me. Have you seen how the side become reinvigorated when I come here?

“There is a need for my presence and I will visit the squad at Milanello before the game against Juventus.”

The 76-year-old then went on to admit that he is sad that he no longer has Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the squad, but insisted that the Swede's sale to Paris Saint-Germain was necessary.

“I certainly have regrets that Ibrahimovic is not on the pitch, yet we have saved €160 million over three years by selling him," he continued.

“But now we have [Stephan] El Shaarawy. Counting on youngsters is the right way forward.”

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 to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Inside Goal.Com

BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants six new signings
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Soulless EPL must face up to grim reality
After a season marred by controversy and a failure of its top teams to put up a credible Champions League challenge, the world's supposed best league is falling behind
Bayern's jinx - CL final referee Nicola Rizzoli
Goal takes a look at the career of the Italian arbiter to date following Uefa's decision to appoint the 41-year-old for Saturday's showpiece at Wembley
Cartoon: Injured Gotze ready to 'do a Terry'
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day

Goal.com