RSS
ATOM
advertisement
Goal.com 50: Alexandre Pato (36)
Goal.com is counting down the top 50 players of 2008-09 and at number 36 is the Brazilian wonder kid and Milan’s hope for the future, Alexandre Pato…
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £19.50 | Draw £32.50 | Arsenal £36.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £20.50 | Draw £34.00 | Arsenal £36.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £20.00 | Draw £32.00 | Arsenal £35.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £19.50 | Draw £34.00 | Arsenal £40.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Milan £19.90 | Draw £32.50 | Arsenal £34.50 |
|
Jul 14, 2009 11:10:17 PM
37. 
Pato has had a good season for his club side, Milan. He is improving at a rapid pace, whilst showing maturity and a confidence which will serve him well on the pitch, along with his humble approach to the game.
Winners of the 2007 UEFA Champions League, the Rossoneri then came fifth in Serie A, thereby forfeiting their place at the pinnacle of club football to Fiorentina. This left Milan with a clear and achievable goal for the season just ended: to win the Scudetto.
The Scudetto prize was elusive, however, and despite a relatively strong season from the Rossoneri, rivals Inter took the title once again. Still, the most successful club in the world secured Champions League qualification with a third place finish in Serie A, tied with second placed Juventus on 74 points. Pato was key to the team's run in Serie A; overall, he contributed a great deal in his first full season with the Rossoneri.
In other competitions this season, Milan faltered earlier than expected, dropping out of the Coppa Italia at the hands of Lazio, before ending their UEFA Cup run against Werder Bremen thanks to the away goals rule. Despite this disappointment, Pato left his mark on the game once again, scoring a stunning goal against the Germans after a solo run and powerful strike, leaving everyone in awe of his abilities.
The youngster has been in fine form all season, scoring 15 goals in Serie A, adding five assists in the top-flight. The skilful Brazilian striker has mesmerised defences in the Italian league with his pace and spectacular dribbling ability, rounding off his good work with powerful and accurate finishing. In the UEFA Cup, Pato was his usual prolific self, scoring three of the Rossoneri's goals in the competition.
Working Hard | Pato Has Improved A Great Deal
Pato has surely been the most influential and consistent Milan player throughout the 2008-09 season, and he went on to end the season with the Confederations Cup trophy. The youngster had a minimal part in his national team's success at the festival of champions - coming on as a substitute for only a single game - but he gave Brazil an extra dimension in attack, with the option of bringing him off the bench to torture opposition back lines.
Otherwise, Pato took part in three World Cup qualifiers for the South Americans during the season past, contributing to a campaign which currently sees Brazil placed at the top of the standings.
Along with his performances for the full national team, Pato was part of the star-studded Brazilian Olympic football team that came third at the recent Beijing Olympics. It was a successful year for the youngster in terms of his early adventures with the Selecao.
His hard work and displays of sublime talent have not gone unnoticed this season, with a number of teams said to be interested in his services. Milan, though, are unwilling to let their gem slip away. He has impressed and is improving at a staggering rate with the Rossoneri and Brazil, and it will be interesting to see how our number 36 fares next season and beyond.
2008 – 09 HONOURS
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup (Brazil)
2008 Olympic Bronze Medal (Brazil)
Individual
Italian Serie A Player Of The Month - January 2009
Peter Pedroncelli, Goal.com
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
67 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
Capello-Terry debacle won't be the last FA scandal
Keir Radnedge takes a trip down memory lane and concludes that the FA will continue to frustrate friend and foe alike following the England manager's resignation
-
AC Milan have one match to get back on track
The Rossoneri appeared to be building momentum ahead of the Derby della Madonnina but since losing to Inter the flaws that were evident at the start of the season have resurfaced
-
The Sweeper: Bale will not renew Spurs contract
Goal.com can also reveal that Guus Hiddink is ready to consider a return to club management and explains how West Brom's coaches are the poor relations of the Premier League
-
Why Real Madrid don't want to host the Copa final
The capital club are doing everything in their power to prevent their fiercest rivals from turning their famous ground into a Blaugrana base for the day against Athletic Bilbao
-
Cartoon: Maradona throws his toys out of the pram
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day ...
Advertisement
Advertisement
