12.01.2010
Leonardo tells team to concentrate on their own game
AC Milan's Brazilian coach Leonardo, seen here on January 10, urged his team on Tuesday to concentrate on their performances and not the league table.
Milan are second in Serie A, eight points behind bitter city rivals Inter Milan following Sunday's 3-0 humbling of Juventus in Turin.
They have a game in hand away to Fiorentina, though, which they will play at the end of the month.
They also have the Milan derby to look forward to on January 24 meaning that Milan could even be top of the pile come February if Inter drop points somewhere else.
But Leonardo is not counting on that.
Inter looked headed for a rare defeat on Saturday when they trailed 3-2 at home to rock bottom Siena with two minutes left but goals from Wesley Sneijder and Walter Samuel got the champions out of jail and earnt them an unlikely 4-3 victory.
"We're very happy about what we're doing but the gap is still there because Inter's consistency is incredible," said Leonardo.
"But even so, there are still 19 matches to play plus the game in Florence so this is not the time to start doing your sums. Now is the time to maintain the level of play we've attained."
First up, though, Milan tackle third division Novara, who are unbeaten this season and have already claimed two Serie A scalps in Parma and Siena.
And although Leonardo will ring the changes, he insisted he is not taking lightly their opponents.
"We've prepared well for this match and whoever plays they have been waiting for this moment to show what they can do.
"Football is a continuous examination for everyone. This match is part of our calendar and of course it's important because players will walk out onto the San Siro pitch wearing a Milan shirt."
Source: © 2010 AFP - Damien Meyer
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Italy / Italy Serie A 2009-10 .jpg)
