[Mystik]

Ex-boss blasts Pato pressure
Thursday 10 January, 2008

Italy awaits the debut of Milan’s new golden boy Alexandre Pato, but the 18-year-old’s former Coach has hit out at the pressure on him.

With the Rossoneri’s Serie A season in need of a hero, the arrival of a Brazilian prodigy from Internacional has received huge publicity, bordering on hysteria.

However, Pato has played just 26 professional games in his career and ex-boss Abel Braga is angry at the weight of expectations after President Silvio Berlusconi recently declared the new recruit could hit the net 30 times.

“I heard that Pato will score 30 goals in six months and by saying such a thing you don’t help the boy to grow,” he raged.

“He is spoken of as the saviour, the man who can solve all the problems – this is not right.

“Too many responsibilities are a burden on him. In a team it is the group that counts and you shouldn’t put all the attention on a single person.”

Pato many start alongside compatriot and idol Ronaldo, but Alberto Gilardino is also in the frame while Kaka struggles with injury and Pippo Inzaghi is out.

http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...ia/jan10m.html

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