Adobe Flash Player Required.
Download the latest version here.

Bonera hails 'champion' Pato

18 July 2012-PA Sport

paro ac milan serie a

Time to shine... Pato could be the main beneficiary of ibrahimovic's departure from Milan (Getty)

AC Milan defender Daniele Bonera believes Alexandre Pato is the future of the Rossoneri strike force and the team should be built around the Brazil star.

Current first choice centre-forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks set to complete a move to Paris Saint-Germain, leaving Pato - who struggled to force his way into the starting XI on a regular basis last season - with the opportunity to stake a claim for the spot for the 2012-2013 campaign.

And Bonera has been impressed with the 22-year-old's attitude.

"I have heard from Pato, he is highly motivated because he has solved all his problems," the defender told the official Milan website, acmilan.com.

"The future attack has to be built around him: he is a great champion, but he is young and still has plenty of room for improvement.

"The attack is being focused around the name of Pato."

However, he may have to contend with a San Siro newcomer after chief executive Galliani promised to find a worthy replacement for Ibrahimovic, with the likes of Carlos Tevez and Edin Dzeko touted as possible arrivals in recent weeks.

"A champion will arrive in attack," he told Sky Sport24.

"There is time until August 31."

Galliani also dismissed talk that Robinho might be allowed to leave.

"I told the directors of Santos that I am not selling him and that he will remain at Milan," he said.

ADVERTISEMENT
2013 AFC Champions League

2013 AFC Champions League

The run of Central Coast Mariners in Asian football's top club competition came to a thudding halt in a damp and miserable Chinese evening.

0 Comments

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
The Da Vinci Cup (DVD)

The Da Vinci Cup (DVD)

Join Pauly Falzoni of Fat Pizza fame as he takes us behind the secret conspiracy of the world’s biggest sport.

The Fabric of the Cosmos (DVD)

The Fabric of the Cosmos (DVD)

A mind-blowing new exploration of space, time, and the very nature of reality.

  • '09 #1 Sports Soccer Website, Hitwise
  • '09 #1 Television Program, Hitwise
  • '08 #1 Sports Soccer Website, Hitwise