Sunday, August 1, 2010

Ac Milan manager Leonardo has pleaded for more time to turn the Rossoneri’s disappointing start to the season around. And the under-fire Brazilian has urged Milan fans to get behind their team.

The former Samba star has been unable to transfer the silky skills he possessed as a player into his first job in management as the Italian giants have suffered a woeful start to the season.

Sunday’s disappointing 0-0 draw at home to newly-promoted Bari leaves Milan 11th in the table with just two wins from their first six games.

Milan fans have failed to warm to their former hero as they believe he is not yet qualified for such a big job, while many continue to hold a grudge against the club for their decision to sell star man Kaka in the summer.

On Sunday they voted with their feet, as just 34,000 turned up at the San Siro, with many of them booing Leonardo and his team.

But the Brazilian, whose side are already seven points behind leaders Sampdoria, insists he can get it right.

“We are struggling psychologically although our team has the experience to react,” Leonardo said.“We hope that more fans can turn up to the stadium, the team needs their support.

“Bari played very well. We struggled against them and in the end the boos, just like the applause, are also deserved.

“We risked losing this game so we have to be relieved to have claimed a point.”

The biggest problem for Leonardo’s side has been their inability to create chances and score goals.

They have managed just one goal in their last five league games, while top summer signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Ronaldinho have both failed to hit the target so far.

It paints a bleak picture for Leonardo, but the Brazilian is not about to hide from the pressure he is under or from the fans calling for his head.

“We are really struggling to create chances,” Leonardo said. “It is normal that the fans expect us to get a result at the San Siro.”

Leonardo and Co will be hoping for a change in fortune when they entertain FC Zurich in the Champions League tomorrow, before travelling to face second-bottom Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday.

Leonardo’s San Siro neighbour Jose Mourinho will also be under the spotlight tonight, when he takes his team to play Russian champions Rubin Kazan in the Champions League.

Inter suffered their first defeat of the season when they crashed to Genoa last weekend.

But owner Massimo Moratti said: “Sometimes a defeat before a Champions League match can be stimulating.”