By Anna Italia

What a suffering!  Why is AC Milan management failing to reassure Milan midfielder and "roaring lion" Gennaro Gattuso that he is still an indispensable player of the first team?  I have been following all this Gattuso-Leonardo saga and believe me it breaks my heart. 

On one hand, AC Milan coach Leonardo saying that Gattuso is a top player but he has to recover from injury to give him again his space in the first team. On the other hand, Gattuso publicly declaring that he does not feel anymore appreciated as a first team player and not happy at all relegated as substitute or bench warmer.

AC Milan VP Adriano Galliani coming publicly to support Gattuso saying that he is still part of Milan, an important player and that Milan is his home.  Well, let me knock, knock at the door of Gattuso's door and as a Milanista myself tell him "Gattuso you cannot leave your home. You cannot leave an uninspired Milan without your roaring who is a constant motor in the pitch for all rossoneri and us the fans watching the game. No Rino, you cannot leave."  I cannot see Gattuso in any other Italian club, period.


Photo: Italian Soccer Serie A

   Anna Italia host of Italian Soccer Serie A and AC Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso

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I will agree with Francesco Letizia from Tuttomercatoweb on "Gattuso is a global player, known and envied by many in the world, one of the few great players remaining in the Italian National team." 

So, here is my question, why on earth he is not feeling wanted anymore? Non si sente a suo agio... guys, "c'e qualcosa che non va tra lui e Leonardo, ecco il punto." Hey, when I met Gattuso believe me it was such an honor to see in action the roaring lion training and being so nice with his fans just as he shows during games with his grinta.

A positive point from the management is the announcement from Adriano Galliani on Thursday, December 3 about offering Gattuso an extension of his contract and hope he accepts.   Well, I would say that Gattuso will be evaluating his shots and I do hope he stays but playing not warming up the bench.  Your thoughts?

I am adding here the response from Leonardo on November 28, 2009 as appeared in AC Milan official website after the declarations from Gattuso.

ON THE DECLARATIONS OF GATTUSO AND HIS NEED TO MAKE CHOICES:

 “I always speak with Gattuso: yesterday, today, in the past, always. Between us we always try to be very clear on all of our sensations. The first thing I hope is that he heals soon, only then we will be able to have other discussions. The fundamental thing is to be fine. First let’s think about his recovery, then at the matches. I ask for full availability and absolute condition. Gattuso is little by little growing in his physical work, but he still feels a bit of pain and this thing is blocking him. He has been here for the past 11 years, it’s true, and it’s normal to have moments of reflection, even I had them asa player. We just need to speak clearly like we do.

Gattuso was a starter not because he was asking for it, but because he deserved it.If all are fine, I must choose: everyone understands the situation and respect the choices. It’s not a failure, but a choice. The same thing happened to Inzaghi, Ambrosini, Seedorf, etc... The most important criticism that was being made to Milan, was that the team did not have identity, that there was too much turnover. Today that there is an identity, there are those who say that we are not doing any turnover,and they criticize this situation too. The truth is that everyone played, both before as well as now. I’m calm about my choices, then it’s natural that an important player complains, but I think that in everyone there’s a conscious of what we are doing. I hope to have everyone in the right condition.

Therefore, Gattuso, I tell you: ‘my request is that you return as soon as possible and you will see thatt hings will be different then.’ What Gattuso said, I knew it from before. But I think that now there is something more important, that he recovers, because it is the only thing that matters: playing. Then, ifwhat he has in his head, like you are saying, is of leaving, I will try to convince him not to do it because like he said, he’s Rino Gattuso.However, whatever will be decided, it will be done in a very calm way.I was not surprised by his declarations, which arrived right at the moment of his injury, because I know him well: the same grit that allows him to be Gattuso, is the one that makes him speak in the difficult moments.”

On December 1, 2009 AC Milan VP Adriano Galliani declared that indeed it was a new Milan but that Gattuso is not for sale.  "non si muove"

 
Related Stories:

- Will Palermo midfielder Fabio Simplicio replace Gennaro Gattuso?

-  Moratti defends Balotelli, Del Piero Juventus Comeback - Simplicio, Gago, Guti to Milan? - De Laurentis Another Calciopoli - Europa League Lazio and Genoa - Front Page "Il Corriere dello Sport" Wednesday, December 2, 2009

- Leonardo to Gattuso: "My request is that you return as soon as possible and you will see that things will be different then.’


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