Yepes impressed with new AC Milan signings

Aug 24, 2012 7:00:00 AM

The Colombia defender believes that the latest arrivals will complement the Rossoneri squad, and is anticipating a tough season opener against the Blucerchiati

Mario Yepes has praised AC Milan summer signings Giampaolo Pazzini and Cristian Zapata, and is confident that the Rossoneri can make a flying start to their Serie A campaign against Sampdoria on Sunday.

The Colombian defender believes that Pazzini and Zapata can fill the holes left by Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, who both left the Italian giants in a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"Pazzini is an out-and-out striker that maybe we've been missing, so let's hope that he can settle in well and do those things that he was doing at Sampdoria, and that he did for Inter as well.

"I think he'll be looking for a bit of revenge and maybe Milan can give him that chance."

Yepes was also complimentary of his new defensive partner Zapata, believing that his Serie A experience could prove crucial.

"Zapata knows the Italian league well. He knows the environment and he knows what the situation is here at Milan.

"He's a very physical player, very fast and, if we're lucky, he'll be able to do the things here that he did at Udinese."

And Yepes is aware that the Blucerchiati will be a difficult test for his side, but he is confident of making a winning start.

"We'll be looking for the three points," he said. "Sampdoria are a team that have tried to get some reinforcements and have bounced straight back into Serie A [after being relegated in 2011]."

"They have a history behind them and we will respect them as we will any team in the league."

Yepes has pulled on the Rossoneri jersey 28 times since joining from Chievo in 2010.

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