FIFA.com: Looking back to where it all began, you made your first start for Internacional in the Brazilian championship at 17. Was that a dream come true?
Pato: My first competitive game ended up being a victory that I played a big role in. I made an assist for the team and scored my first goal. My debut remains a wonderful memory.

A few weeks later, in Japan, you started against Ahly Sporting Club in the semi-final of the FIFA Club World Cup. Aged just 17 years and 102 days, you became the youngest player to score in a senior FIFA competition, beating the record set by a certain Pele. What did that mean to you?
It was huge. A month after making my debut, I heard people talking about my performances, saying: ‘Pato has scored so many goals so young. He’s a new phenomenon.’ What was happening to me was flattering and exceptional. But reputation isn’t enough alone; you also need luck and I had that too, given I went to Japan with one of the best clubs around at the time, Internacional.

You have scored a lot of goals but you also excel with your final ball. Do you see yourself more as a team player or an individual talent?
I always want to score. I repeat that over and over to myself in my head. But, if I can’t manage to score goals, I need to extend myself to help my team. Football is a game of 11 players and if we don’t help each other out, we don’t get anywhere. If we play together, the goals come naturally.

Inter, Chelsea and Real Madrid were all interested in signing you, so why did you join AC Milan?
My choice was influenced by my family and my agent. Lots of Brazilians play at the club, such as Emerson, who I already knew. When I announced my decision to my parents, they told me: ‘Off you go, we’re certain you’ll have a fantastic career.’

You joined Milan in summer 2007, but the rules stopped you from making your debut until the following year. How hard was that to live with?
Those four months without playing allowed me to get integrated into the squad. I took part in all the training sessions and all the away trips. I was able to soak in Italian football. After that, 2008 was a total pleasure on a personal front. I made my debut in my new colours, I scored my first goals and I kept progressing. Next year, I hope we go far in the UEFA Cup and that we’ll play in the Champions League next season.

You are surrounded by Brazilians at Milan. Has that made it easier for you to settle in?
When I arrived, I didn’t speak Italian. The Brazilians at the club, among others, have been incredible in helping me settle, both in sporting and non-sporting terms. To this day, we still dine together often and share the same pursuits.

One of those Brazilian players was, of course, Ronaldo, with whom you played last year. You have never hidden your admiration for him.
To play alongside him was a moment I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. When I was a kid, out on the pitch I always used to say to my friends ‘I’m Ronaldo, I’m Ronaldo,’ while wearing the shirt of my idol. I hope to have a career as successful as his.

Moving on to the national team, with just one defeat and the best defence in South America, how do you think the remainder of your qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ will go?
Right now, Brazil are in a good position to qualify. We’re second, six points behind the leaders. Paraguay have played some really good football and taken some very important points from difficult matches. For our part, we’ve dropped lots of points at home. Every home game is a challenge for our opponents. They’re spurred on by the stakes and always want to outdo themselves because they’re up against Brazil. As for us, we need to constantly give everything, particularly for all the people who support us. That’s why every single one of my call-ups gives me joy and pride.

Your life has also been marked by some less than joyous events. At the age of ten, you were diagnosed with a tumour. How did you cope with that difficult period?
It was very painful. After the operation, another complication was discovered. I had to have several injections. It’s an ordeal that is part of who I am because my mother was alongside me and we both cried together. It was really difficult. That chapter in my life made me grow up and the support of my family was crucial.

On a more positive note, how are you coping with your increasing popularity?
When I see all these people asking me for a photo or an autograph, it makes me happy. Not so long ago, I also wanted to get souvenirs of my idols. So I understand and I don’t want to disappoint them, especially when we’re talking about children. And when I hear my name being chanted in the stands, it fires me up to give even more on the pitch.

What are your personal goals with both club and country?
With AC Milan, my target is to win as many trophies as possible in Italy and on the international stage. With Brazil, it’s to be crowned world champion! I also want to become the best player in the world.

Lastly, lots of Brazilian players have their own unique move, such as the ‘elastico’ perfected by Ronaldinho. Are you working on one yourself?
Now that I’m playing with Ronaldinho, it’s easy for me to draw inspiration from him. As for the move, one day perhaps! The thing that characterises me most is probably the dribble at speed. Perhaps that will end up being called a Pato (laughs).

Kaka again was the best player for Milan finding Pato and Ambrosini in the first half but both were not able to find the back of the net.

Pato had a few chances to put Milan in front but it was just not Milan’s day.  This was indicative when Ambrosini’s header brushed the post.

Milan end the day with a point.

Carlo Ancelotti will sleep well tonight as his side continue their winning streak in Europe and book themselves a place in the group stages of the competition after seeing off a decent challenge from a determined Zurich side.

First Half

Zurich got the game started but it was Milan who had the first real chances to score within the opening couple of minutes. Seedorf set up Shevchenko who laid it off to Flamini but the chance fizzled out as the former Arsenal man took too much time on the ball. A minute later Zambrotta fed Seedorf who played a brilliant one-two with Shevchenko who beat the offside trap to run through on goal but Johnny Leoni met the Ukrainian and made a decent save to stop his side from conceeding what would have been the opener.

The Italians looked bright and fit as they took control of the game. However there was some concern early on as Antonini went down injured. Luckily for the Rossoneri the youngster was able to continue. Carlo Ancelotti’s men settled down well and they played with confidence and style as they moved the ball around well creating some great chances. Zambrotta got the ball rolling when he went on one of his trademark runs down the wing. The world cup winner left three Zurich players for dead as he skipped past them to cut it back for Seedorf but the cross was headed back to the stopper who smashed a volley a-la-Van Basten but Leoni saved it well.

Aegeter tried his luck from distance on the first time volley but it went wide, much to the relief of Dida in goal. The home side began to raise the tempo as they came forward looking for the opener but Zambrotta and company were on song at the back and the Swiss side were finding it difficult. Milan hearts were in mouths on 20 minutes as Hassli has a glorious chance to give his side the lead after Okonkwo’s good work on the edge of the box. However, the striker blasted his effort over from a very tight angle. Zurich were always growing in stature and they looked dangerous as the half wore on.

Emerson started the game for Milan after only getting 30 minutes of football so far this term and he had his chance to shine when a good move involving Shevchenko and Ronaldinho culminated in the midfielder having a decent strike on goal but the shot fizzed past Leoni’s post. Minutes later there was some bad news for the Rossoneri as Kaladze had to come off injured. The Georgian stopper seemed to have stretched and strained his thigh muscle when going for a loose ball and he was replaced with Maldini.

Just before half time Antonini went on a brilliant down the left and played a terrific ball into Seedorf but the Ducthman saw his poke on the ball go wide of the far post. Seconds later Ronaldinho put the ball in the danger zone but the chance was wasted as the referee sent both teams into the dressing rooms for half time.

Second Half

The teams came out unchanged and the Italians got the affair back underway. Zurich won a free kick through Barmetta but he left the set piece up to Hassli. However his drive from distance was poor as it went, high, wide and into row z. Neither Milan nor the Swiss side showed any urgency in their play. Zurich never looked like a team who were chasing the result with the ambition of side looking to make the next stage of the UEFA Cup.

The Italians were lucky not have conceded a penalty and it at the whole stadium up in arms. Hassli made a decent run into the box and Zambrotta came across him to cut up his run. There was contact and the striker went down. Replays suggest it should have been a spot kick but the referee waved play on.

Il Diavolo looked a little nervous. Ronaldinho did what he could to ignite the game but the Rossoneri lacked the spark which is usually offered by Kaka who was watching from the bench. The Brazilian midfielder was then introduced into the fray on the hour mark as Ancelotti tried to inject some more attacking prowess into his side.

Emerson should be given the award for miss of the season if there ever was one. The midfielder wasted one of the moves of the game as Kaka, Seedorf and Ronaldinho ripped the Swiss defence to shreds with some razor sharp passing and moving but Emerson scuffed his shot as he went for power over accuracy to waste what would have been a dead certain goal.

On 70 minutes Shevchenko, who was rather quiet for most of the game, scored a well taken goal to give his side the lead on the night and make their passage into the group stage even stronger. Ronaldinho pulled the strings as he played a delightful lob-pass over the Zurich defence and into the path of the Ukrainian who slid the ball under Leoni and into the net. It was a sublime goal and it was Zambrotta who started the move. Seconds later Sheva should have made it two as he rolled back the years but his header was blocked.

Zurich tried in vain to play for some pride but the experience Milan machine held on to take a morale boosting result with them from their away day in Switzerland.

Teams Zurich 4-4-1-1: Leoni, Stahel, Tihinen, Brmettler, Stucki(Lampi), Djuric(Nikci), Abdi, Aegerter, Okonkwo, Alphonse(Tahirovic), Hassli.

Milan 4-3-2-1: Dida, Zambrotta, Bonera, Kaladze(Maldini), Antonini, Flamini, Emerson, Ambrosini(Ambrosini), Seedorf(Gattuso), Ronaldinho, Shevchenko.

Goals: Shevchenko(Milan)

Cards: N/A

(Goal)

Inter was reduced to 10 men in the 77th when defender Nicolas Burdisso picked up his second yellow card for a sliding tackle on Kaka.

“I was hoping to score a goal,” Ronaldinho said. “This is for the fans who made me feel at home. Every day I feel more at home here at Milan.”

After opening the season with two losses, Milan has now won three straight.

“I think we’re healed. Things weren’t going well but we’ve managed to straighten it out,” Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “The fact that we didn’t get scored on tonight is almost more important than the win because until now we had let in goals in every game. Now we have to continue like this to cancel the bad start.”

Milan moved to nine points with the win, one behind Inter. After five games, Lazio tops the standings with 12 points followed by Napoli with 11.

After sitting on the bench for most of Milan’s opening four games, Ronaldinho got a starting nod alongside Kaka and Alexandre Pato in an all-Brazilian attack that frustrated Inter’s defense for much of the game. Kaka often drew tough challenges from Inter’s defenders, which resulted in four yellow cards. Nicolas Burdisso was sent off with 15 lefts after getting a second booking.

Kaka created several good chances for Ronaldinho and Pato was dangerous as he chased down long passes often a step in front of the Inter defenders.

Ronaldinho, the former FIFA player of the year was in form from the start, putting a precise shot on goal in the 25th that Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar punched away by the post.

Three minutes later, Kaka advanced the ball behind Inter’s defense and crossed a high ball into the area that Ronaldinho rose to meet with a header that landed in the corner of the goal.

“He’s not in top form but what he shows me in training isn’t the same as in a match where the pace is quicker,” Ancelotti said of Ronaldinho. “He’s an atypical player. We’ve got to adapt to his characteristics a bit but today he was decisive.”

Inter started with Zlatan Ibrahimovic flanked by Amantino Mancini and Ricardo Quaresma in attack, then removed Mancini and defender Marco Materazzi in the 59th to put on two more forwards — Adriano and Julio Ricardo Cruz.

In the 71st, Cruz and Ibrahimovic each missed shots wide from outside the area within a few seconds of each other. Dejan Stankovic also came on for Inter and missed a chance in the 81st.

A minute later, Materazzi was shown a red card while sitting on Inter’s bench, apparently for protests.

“We weren’t afraid and for that I’m happy. I put Cruz on because I’m not afraid of losing. If I don’t like the score, I put forwards on,” Mourinho said. “The players worked hard and did everything they were supposed to. It was a real derby, but it’s just one game that we’ve lost in this marathon of a season.”

Milan and Inter played their first derby 100 years ago, and the matchup has become one of Serie A’s most bitter rivalries. Sunday’s game, played in front of a sellout crowd of almost 80,000 at the San Siro, was the first derby for Mourinho.

Mourinho and Ancelotti had meet only once before, when Andriy Shevchenko scored to give Milan a 1-0 win over Mourinho’s FC Porto in the 2003 European Super Cup. Shevchenko, who returned to Milan this season after an unsuccessful stint with Chelsea, came on for the last 10 minutes Sunday and had a hard shot on goal that Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar knocked away.

The Rossoneri host Jose Mourinho’s side this weekend and belief at Milanello of winning maximum points is high.

Pato is looking forward to helping his side win but he admits he still has a lot to learn despite being impressive this term.

“If I win the derby, I will buy an island all to myself,” the striker told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“I am really looking forward to the derby. It fascinates me but winning isn’t just down to me, the whole team has to perform.

“Inter have many great players like Maicon and Ibrahimovic and it wouldn’t make a difference if those players didn’t play against us as they have a very strong squad.”

The ‘Duck’ also spoke about his own development as a footballer and he insists he has to improve further.

“Ancelotti is right, I can give much more to the team,” added Pato.

“I need to go into deeper areas when attacking and the coach is right when he says I can do better.”

The Rossoneri had a shaky start to the season but they seem to be on the right track following back to back wins against Lazio and Reggina. Pato and co will be hoping to make it thre out of three against Inter.

(Goal)

The readers of Goal.com have spoken, and once again it’s too close to call. They provided a list of 11 top youngsters in Serie A, and two – Pato and Giovinco – strode out ahead neck-and-neck!

Yes, Goal.com polling was already closed with the poll results put Alexandre Pato and Sebastian Giovinco tied for top youngster in Serie A (31.68%). But the duel is not over yet for both youngster fans. The champion must be crowned. So we give Extra Time. This is the duel just between Alexandre Pato and Sebastian Giovinco. We will open this poll (see on the right sidebar) for 1 week. The poll will be over at October 3rd 2008. It’s your time to decide!

Reggina-AC Milan (1-2). Alexandre Pato was the hero for Milan, scoring a 73rd minute winner as the Rossoneri made it two Serie A wins on the spin with a 2-1 victory over Reggina in Calabria.

The Rossoneri have seen a return to form over the last week or so picking up three wins on the bounce against Zurich in the UEFA Cup as well as Lazio and Reggina in Serie A.

Pato was influential in all those games and he is hoping for more of the same against the league leaders.

“I am really happy for the goals I have scored in our recent matches but even more happy that we managed to win away from home,” Pato told Milan News.

“The three points are good for us in terms of the league standings and for morale. Now we are waiting for our fans to come and support us on Sunday for the game against Inter.

“I am looking forward to the derby. When I get on the pitch I always look to do what the coach asks me to in the dressing rooms.”

The Rossoneri will be hoping to end Inter’s unbeaten run this season when they host the Nerazzurri on Sunday night.

(Goal)

Indeed, perhaps due to the fact that money flows less readily than before in Italian football, primavera products are maybe more important than ever.

To this end we ask readers to select which of the following players can be considered the best of the new batch in Italy. Perhaps Mario Balotelli, the Inter forward? Or Cristian Zapata, the young Colombian defender who is being tracked by Arsenal as he continues to impress for Udinese? Here’s the list in full:

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)
Cristian Zapata (Udinese)
Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli)
Fabiano Santacroce (Napoli)
Jeremy Menez (Roma)
Marek Hamsik (Napoli)
Mario Balotelli (Inter)
Mauro Zarate (Lazio)
Paolo De Ceglie (Juventus)
Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)

What do you think? Click here to vote and be sure to check back for the results tomorrow.

(Goal)

Reggina came into this game with just one point to their name in Serie A and, after Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at Roma, were second-from-bottom in the table. The Amaranti had a number of injuries to deal with as Francesco Cozza, Antonio Giosa, Emmanuel Cascione and Carlos Valdez were all unavailable. Nevio Orlandi employed a cautious 3-5-1-1 formation with Franco Brienza supporting lone frontman Bernardo Corradi.

Milan were looking to make it two wins on the bounce in the league after they had finally broken their duck on Sunday evening by thrashing Lazio 4-1. Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo. Philippe Senderos, Tabare Viudez and Pippo Inzaghi all sat out the game. Marco Borriello kept his place up-front alongside Alexandre Pato, supported by Kaka. Paolo Maldini and Massimo Ambrosini were both rested, while Mathieu Flamini returned.

First Half

Milan made a bright start, and Kaka had the first attempt of the game in the fifth minute as he cut in from the left, but dragged the ball wide from 25 yards.

Reggina responded with a Carlos Carmona effort, a daisycutter of a free kick from long distance which was smothered by Christian Abbiati.

The home side started to threaten more and more. A cross from the left into the area almost found Corradi’s head, while on 17 minutes Brienza rattled in a shot from the edge of the area that finished only a yard wide of the post.

Milan were struggling to create anything, but on their first chance of the match on 23 minutes they took the lead. Clarence Seedorf whipped in a free kick from the right, and Borriello lost his man to bullet in a header past Andrea Campagnolo.

This boosted the Rossoneri’s confidence, and on the half-hour mark they should have been two-up. Kaka burst past two men, allowing Borriello a clean run on goal, but he was denied by Campagnolo as he tried to round the goalkeeper.

Milan were now on top, but on 38 minutes they could have conceded an equaliser as Daniele Bonera defended a cross terribly, allowing Corradi a good chance at the back post, but Abbiati came to the rescue by closing down the veteran striker. Santos also fired well wide from long range.

Both sides then had two long range efforts in quick succession. First Seedorf tested Campagnolo, before Emil Hallfredsson tried his luck from 30 yards with a powerful left footed shot that Abbiati collected at the second attempt.

Second Half

Into the second half, and Reggina had the first attempt as Hallfredsson unleashed another pumping long range shot that finished well over.

Flamini, who had committed numerous fouls in the first half, and had already been booked, made another very late tackle on 55 minutes, and was extremely lucky to stay on the pitch.

Soon after Abbiati came to the rescue for Milan again with a fine fingertip save from Corradi’s header, even if the ball may have been going wide.

Borriello was then forced off with injury and was replaced by Andriy Shevchenko, but just seconds after coming on Reggina equalised. A free kick from the right was headed down by Santos, and Corradi turned the ball in from close range.

Reggina now came forward looking for another goal, and on 66 minutes Costa cut in from the left and forced out a low save for Abbiati.

Milan were struggling to create anything. Shevchenko charged down a clearance and watched it go wide, while Pato went on a wonderful run but shot straight at Campagnolo from 20 yards.

However, on 73 minutes the Rossoneri did go back ahead. Kaka was the architecht with a run down the right, and cut-back for Pato, who finished clinically past Campagnolo into the bottom corner, although the ‘keeper got a touch.

After scoring, Milan just looked to slow the tempo and play on the counter-attack. Zambrotta smashed a shot over, while down the other end Barreto fired a free kick into the wall.

There was a nervous moment for Milan in the 89th minute when Reggina substitute Fabio Ceravolo fired into the side-netting from a promising position.

Seedorf could have made it three in injury time, from Pato’s pass, but with just Campagnolo to beat, he shot wide of the far post with the outside of his boot. It didn’t matter as Milan held on to win, their second Serie A victory on the bounce.

Teams

Reggina: Campagnolo, Lanzaro, Cirillo, Santos (Alvarez 89), Vigiani (Ceravolo 77), Barreto, Carmona, Hallfredsson, Costa (Barilla 80), Brienza, Corradi

Milan: Abbiati, Zambrotta, Bonera, Kaladze, Favalli, Seedorf, Gattuso, Flamini (Ambrosini 60), Kaka, Pato (Emerson 84), Borriello (Shevchenko 58)

Goals : Borriello 23 (M), Corradi 59 (R), Pato 73 (M)

(Goal)