AC Milan vice-pesident Adriano Galliani has thrown his support
behind Leonardo as they bid to keep the pressure on Inter Milan
this weekend.
Only a few weeks ago, Leonardo's position was being openly
questioned by club owner Silvio Berlusconi, but since then Milan
have closed the gap to Inter to four points, aided by the dramatic
midweek come-from-behind victory over Fiorentina.
Galliani claimed Berlusconi called him after that match to
praise the players and the coach for the manner of the victory.
"The president called me after the match in Florence to say
that we have a great goalkeeper," he said. "We have Ronaldinho, a
great player. And do you see the confidence is paying off?
"Leo accepted everything, even the most severe criticism. He
let the focus fall on him. No matter how we finish the season now I
want to see if anyone dares to criticise the choice of Leonardo as
coach."
Milan scored twice in the final 10 minutes to beat
Fiorentina. Klaas Jan Huntelaar's 81st minute equaliser came
moments after the Viola were denied what looked to be a stonewall
penalty, and the Dutch striker only further stoked the atmosphere
by gesturing towards the home supporters during his celebration.
Huntelaar has since apologised for his actions.
"After my equaliser in Florence, I literally went crazy with
joy, because the goal was very important in a difficult moment in
the season," he said.
"My gesture of exultation was of joy, of liberation after
many minutes when we were trailing, but it was absolutely offensive
to the opposition fans. I am sorry it has been seen this way."
It was then Alexandre Pato who snatched the winner in injury
time to move Milan up to second place, one point ahead of Roma.
With Inter facing a trip to revamped and rejuvenated Udinese,
Milan will be hoping to further close the gap to the top of the
table.
Whether Atalanta are able to do anything about it remains to
be seen.
Many have already written them off before kick-off. The 1-0
reverse to Chievo at home last weekend was their 14th defeat in 25
matches this season, and their record away from home is even worse.
Defender Thomas Manfredini claimed, though, the Nerazzurri
were capable of springing an upset at the San Siro.
"Mission Impossible it is not," said Manfredini. "But it is
normal that it will be difficult because they are playing well and
have many stars.
"We must try to counter their attacks and not take too many
risks."
However, he also promised Atalanta would not roll over.
"We must fight," he said. "Last Sunday it went wrong. We were
hoping for a win, but it did not happen. We must go to Milan to
pick up points."
Milan will be without Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Seedorf, and
Luca Antonini for the match, while both Thiago Silva and Gennaro
Gattuso are doubtful and Mathieu Flamini is suspended.
Kakha Kaladze is all but certain to be missing too as he
faces club discipline for hitting out at a lack of playing time in
an interview given last night.
Edgar Barreto, Tiberio Guarente and Nicola Amoruso are
missing for Atalanta, with Gyorgy Garics, Maximiliano Pellegrino,
Daniele Capelli, Jose Leonardo Talamonti, and Simone Padoin are
doubtful.
