Artemio Franchi

Last Game

Siena 1 - 2 AC Milan

Sunday, 19 May 2013, 19:45

Serie A

Pato plays down attack talk

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato has rubbished reports that he was attacked by fans after missing a penalty in Sunday's defeat to Fiorentina.

Last Updated: 13/11/12 at 19:32    Bet with SkyBet  Italian Serie A. Click here to bet.

Pato: Denies he was attacked by fans

Pato: Denies he was attacked by fans

Various Italian newspapers had claimed that a gang of angry Milanisti surrounded the Brazilian's car as he tried to drive away from the San Siro following a 3-1 home loss.

Pato did apologise for firing his penalty kick high over the crossbar in the first half, though, as his miss resulted in him being jeered off the pitch at the break, on his way to being replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini.

But 'The Duck' promised to put in a much-improved performance from the Serie A runners-up if he is selected to face Napoli on Saturday.

The 23-year-old told Milan Channel: "I heard that people were saying that fans attacked my car with me in it, but it's not true, nothing happened.

"I left the San Siro as usual and I don't know why these things are written.

"All I can say is that the criticism is normal, and I accept it, but some of the things that have been written never happened.

"It didn't go as we expected against Fiorentina, unfortunately we gave away three points at home, but now we must think about Napoli.

"I can certainly say that we are improving, but we can't keep throwing away points because they are all so important.

"It was a game that we should have won, I'm sorry for missing the penalty and for the loss.

"Missing from the spot isn't the worst thing you can do but I am a penalty taker and I'm never scared I'll miss.

"But maybe I'll hold myself back if we're awarded a penalty in the future."

Milan have lost six of their opening 12 league matches and head coach Massimiliano Allegri is under more pressure than ever to drag the club towards the European places.

But Pato is urging patience from the Diavolo faithful, adding: "It's impossible not to hear the fans' whistles in the stadium, but I'm on their side.

"I know how hard it is for the fans who are used to big wins and trophies.

"But we are in a rebuilding phase, lots of great champions have left, so now we have to work hard and try to do our best.

"Let's forget that match and think about working towards beating Napoli and bringing three points home, even if it will be difficult."

Bet with SkyBet  Italian Serie A. Click here to bet.

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

m curious as to what image Real Madrid are trying to re-establish as I always thought their pre-Jose image was one of a bunch of a classless bullies tapping up whoever they wanted while living it large on borrowed money they're never going to pay back.

john matrix
Perez Will Spend Big To Forget Jose...

A

t the start of the season, after the RVP transfer, I confidently claimed that Arsenal would finish above United. I now regret it immensely.

Fuzzy_Dunlop
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

D

aniel Storey generally did very well, going against the City won it last year so they're bound to win it this time grain. As for John Nicholson, I wouldn't trust him to predict correctly what day of the week it will be tomorrow.

Griff
Reflecting On The F365 Pre-Season Predictions

Footer 365

Carlisle announces retirement

Northampton defender and Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle has called time on his playing career.

Mitchell: No approach for Howe

Bournemouth chairman Eddie Mitchell insists there haven't been any approaches for manager Eddie Howe, amid reported interest from Everton.

Pulis: Get behind my successor

Tony Pulis has urged Stoke fans to get behind whoever succeeds him as the club's manager, saying he "wishes the club the best in the future".

Mail Box

An Ode To Rafa And Loads More Mails...

We have one Chelsea fan who recognises the job done by Rafa Benitez while there's maths from Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester. And Shawcross to Arsenal? Nah...

Mails: Jol Out And Other Demands...

You might notice that we haven't included a single mail about teams in pubs, because most of them were terrible. Instead we have a disgruntled Fulham fan and Scouse maths...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved