AC Milan ready to test all-star attack

| Mon, 12/29/2008 - 16:27

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Monday that he was eager to test his star-studded lineup, including new arrival David Beckham, putting them all on the pitch at the same time.

Speaking to the press before departing with the team for a brief training stay in Dubai, Ancelotti said ''it's a possible solution and we'll try, who knows''.

Aside from Beckham, who is on a three-month loan, Milan's all-star attack includes Brazilians Ronaldinho, Kaka' and Pato, Dutch international Clarence Seedorf and Italy playmaker Andrea Pirlo.

Milan's owner and chairman, Premier Silvio Berlusconi, recently said he would like to see his team field all its stars together.

Ancelotti said he was convinced that Beckham would fit in well on the team and that ''he's already in good shape and bound to get better over the next few days''.

Beckham agreed to join Milan on a three-month loan to keep in shape and increase his chances for a call from England and former Milan manager Fabio Cappello.

The England star currently plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in the Major League Soccer championship in the United States, which plays from spring through autumn.

Also on hand for Milan's departure to Dubai was deputy club chairman Adriano Galliani who said that Berlusconi's idea of a star-studded attack was ''fascinating...but it will be up to the coach to decide''.

Galliani also brushed aside alleged threats by Islamic fundamentalists, including al Qaeda, and said he saw no dangers for the team or for Beckham.

Commenting on the England midfielder's brief stay with the team, Galliani observed ''there's no glamour aspect about his being with us. He'll be an important player for the team''.

Galliani also said that Milan would not make any major acquisition during the mid-season trading window ''unless we can pick up an outstanding left fullback''.

The club will thus not be looking for a temporary replacement for Italy midfielder Gennaro (Rino) Gattuso, who is out for at least six months due to a knee injury.

Milan's top scorer in 2008 has been its youngest player, Pato with 17 goal, followed by fellow countryman Kaka' with 15, while Ronaldinho has already put nine in the net since joining at the start of the 2008-2009 season.

Serie A play resumes after the holiday break on January 11.

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