ON MILAN'S MOMENT IN THE LEAGUE AND THE SEASON
"We will have to use the period ahead of us in which we will face three matches out of four at home to consolidate the third place in the standings. It's an important period because the more we go on the more delicate the matches will be, we have to try and increase our advantage on the fourth place in the table.
This difficult season could represent the basis for next season, in which we want to get back to playing the Champions League. We have to do our best in these games.
Without injuries we would have done better in the league, but some injuries strongly penalised us. The idea for the team we made in July was different because some players, like Nesta for example, would have been fundamental."

ON THE FIRST MATCH AGAINST LECCE
"Compared to the first match against Lecce, many difficulties have been added to our season in the league and the start coincided with that match. It was a good match, one of our best away from home, but now we are in a different position in the table and we have different objectives. We are experiencing different moments now, and we want to experience them by doing our best."

ON THE SINGULAR PLAYERS AND THE ANTI-LECCE FORMATION
"Kaká has completely recovered.
The players who stayed here during the break worked well and if I have to make choices then certainly I would give them the priority because they are fresher than the international players.
Inzaghi is doing well and will play. Then after the last training I will decide whether to play with an extra striker.
Bonera has a problem due to an inflammation in the pubic area. He is close to coming back, and should be available for the match against Chievo.
Flamini is revealing himself to be a very good alternative to Gattuso, Pirlo, and Ambrosini, which is why he was bought. At the start he had some difficulties, but it's comprehensible, now he's doing well, he's young and for the future he will certainly be an important player. We bought Borriello because we considered him an atypical striker, with particular characteristics and we wanted to try and play with a different type of striker. Unfortunately this curiosity remains, but he will certainly be a part of Milan's future. He is recovering very well.
Emerson had a problem to his foot until Tuesday, but he did train, so he could be available.
After the delicate operation he underwent, we are not going to force Nesta, but he is doing things calmly to have him in good shape again for next season. During the summer he will do special work."

ON PIRLO'S POSITION ON THE PITCH
"With the national team Pirlo plays in a different position than with Milan. In the match against Montenegro he had more freedom compared to his usual position. Seven years ago he proposed to play as a central midfielder and if he now wants to play in a different role I will listen to him, but Andrea is such an intelligent player that he would never ask me that. He has become the best player in his position and I think it's both his desire and mine that he continues to play in front of the defence.
Lippi's decision to replace him during the break against Ireland was understandable, even though Pirlo is in a good moment because he has recovered completely."

ON THE BRAZILIAN INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS
"I am surprised that Pato doesn't play much with the national team, but it's hard for me to look inside Dunga's head. Also here at the start Pato wasn't used as much, due to a lack of experience, but then he showed his qualities and found his space.
On Kaká's declarations from Brazil I can only say that I haven't spoken to Ricky and I don't trust the news from Brazil. In any case medically every player has the right to make his own choices, Milan can give advice, but it's the player who has to decide.
As for Ronaldinho's conditions, usually it happens that a coach calls when he's interested in the conditions of a player, like Lippi does, but Dunga doesn't."

ON HIS FUTURE
"I am very happy about what Adriano Galliani said about me, he compared me to Coppi. Personally I have never asked for any kind of extension, I have a contract until June 2010 which I intend to respect."