Jeff

Jeff · 02-10-2007, 14:05

Here is a recent interview that Kaka` gives to uefa.com. It is given before the game against Liverpool.

On the way to the photography studio where I'm scheduled to meet Kaká, I pass two billboards featuring the AC Milan star. In one he is dressed stylishly in suit and tie, in the other the clothes are more casual. We are in Zona Tortona, the trendy district dubbed the Soho of Milan because of its bars, galleries and fashion showrooms. Thirty seconds into our conversation it is obvious why stylists compete to have his clean face and gentle smile endorse their products.

Humble
When Kaká married his wife Caroline 18 months ago, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi declared he was "the husband every parent would like their daughter to have". A part-time model off the pitch, he has been a model of consistency on it, dominating the UEFA Champions League this season. His competition-leading ten goals have driven AC Milan to another final against Liverpool FC, but Kaká has not let his achievements go to his head. Deeply religious, the attacking midfielder remains one of the most humble figures in football. The word revenge is not part of his vocabulary.

'More experienced'
"The final against Liverpool is not about revenge," he told uefa.com. "Two years ago they won and that's it. We're just focusing on this new final. It's a great opportunity to write my name and the club's in the history of the competition. In a final anything can happen, we know it better than anybody after that game in Istanbul." Kaká was superb in the 2005 final, wresting the game from Liverpool in a mesmerising first half with his darting runs and pinpoint passing.

Liverpool challenge
Two years on another English side has witnessed Kaká at his best. He scored twice against Manchester United FC in the first leg of their semi-final, then put on a show for the adoring Rossoneri supporters at San Siro. The 25-year-old opened the scoring and drove Milan forward all night, the United midfield never coming to grips with his pace or vision as he exploited space in front of the visitors' back four. "Liverpool will probably be more difficult to face than Manchester United," Kaká reflects. "They are more focused on cutting down space while United play great football but also let you play. Liverpool are very organised and have a great coach. We know [Rafael] Benítez and [Steven] Gerrard really well but Liverpool are not about individuals, they are a very good side overall. Still if I have to choose one player, I would go for Gerrard. He is a leader, a point of reference for them."

'Work hard'
Just as Kaká is for Milan. The conduit of their best moves on the pitch, he has also become the focus off it. The patience and attention with which he deals with constant demands on his time from press and fans alike suggests he will not be letting success go to his head. He has been in the form of his life, but insists “there is room for improvement, there are many things to learn. I leave comparisons with other players to journalists and coaches, I only want to work hard to become a better player. Finishing as top scorer was never my objective. I'm not a forward, I'm more a playmaker but as long as my goals help Milan win games I'm happy."

'Focus'
As 23 May approaches, those goals have given Milan every reason for confidence. "The Champions League has always been our main focus. We started well, then we had a bad period, but now we're back at our peak at the most important part of the season." Not even a specialist in penalty-saving like Pepe Reina gives cause for concern. "I'm only thinking about positive things and I scored a penalty in Istanbul as well so I'm prepared to take one again. Liverpool have won some important games on penalties but I'm sure they don't want that again. No team plays for penalties."

'Very happy'
The bond between Milan and Kaká is strong, too strong to let constant transfer talk linking him with Real Madrid CF disrupt the relationship. "This club is like a family. I feel at home here which is very important for me. The rumours about Madrid do not disturb me. I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and I will move only if they want to sell me." Things might have been very different for the former São Paulo FC player who first moved to Europe in 2003. "I didn't pick Milan, Milan picked me. I could have joined Chelsea [FC] but they wanted to send me on loan to Russia while Milan had faith in me immediately. Looking back, I'm very happy with what destiny had in store for me." Another important date with destiny is fast approaching.

02-10-2007, 14:05	#6
Jeff Moderator Join Date: 03 2002	Here is a recent interview that Kaka` gives to uefa.com. It is given before the game against Liverpool. On the way to the photography studio where I'm scheduled to meet Kaká, I pass two billboards featuring the AC Milan star. In one he is dressed stylishly in suit and tie, in the other the clothes are more casual. We are in Zona Tortona, the trendy district dubbed the Soho of Milan because of its bars, galleries and fashion showrooms. Thirty seconds into our conversation it is obvious why stylists compete to have his clean face and gentle smile endorse their products. Humble When Kaká married his wife Caroline 18 months ago, Milan president Silvio Berlusconi declared he was "the husband every parent would like their daughter to have". A part-time model off the pitch, he has been a model of consistency on it, dominating the UEFA Champions League this season. His competition-leading ten goals have driven AC Milan to another final against Liverpool FC, but Kaká has not let his achievements go to his head. Deeply religious, the attacking midfielder remains one of the most humble figures in football. The word revenge is not part of his vocabulary. 'More experienced' "The final against Liverpool is not about revenge," he told uefa.com. "Two years ago they won and that's it. We're just focusing on this new final. It's a great opportunity to write my name and the club's in the history of the competition. In a final anything can happen, we know it better than anybody after that game in Istanbul." Kaká was superb in the 2005 final, wresting the game from Liverpool in a mesmerising first half with his darting runs and pinpoint passing. Liverpool challenge Two years on another English side has witnessed Kaká at his best. He scored twice against Manchester United FC in the first leg of their semi-final, then put on a show for the adoring Rossoneri supporters at San Siro. The 25-year-old opened the scoring and drove Milan forward all night, the United midfield never coming to grips with his pace or vision as he exploited space in front of the visitors' back four. "Liverpool will probably be more difficult to face than Manchester United," Kaká reflects. "They are more focused on cutting down space while United play great football but also let you play. Liverpool are very organised and have a great coach. We know [Rafael] Benítez and [Steven] Gerrard really well but Liverpool are not about individuals, they are a very good side overall. Still if I have to choose one player, I would go for Gerrard. He is a leader, a point of reference for them." 'Work hard' Just as Kaká is for Milan. The conduit of their best moves on the pitch, he has also become the focus off it. The patience and attention with which he deals with constant demands on his time from press and fans alike suggests he will not be letting success go to his head. He has been in the form of his life, but insists “there is room for improvement, there are many things to learn. I leave comparisons with other players to journalists and coaches, I only want to work hard to become a better player. Finishing as top scorer was never my objective. I'm not a forward, I'm more a playmaker but as long as my goals help Milan win games I'm happy." 'Focus' As 23 May approaches, those goals have given Milan every reason for confidence. "The Champions League has always been our main focus. We started well, then we had a bad period, but now we're back at our peak at the most important part of the season." Not even a specialist in penalty-saving like Pepe Reina gives cause for concern. "I'm only thinking about positive things and I scored a penalty in Istanbul as well so I'm prepared to take one again. Liverpool have won some important games on penalties but I'm sure they don't want that again. No team plays for penalties." 'Very happy' The bond between Milan and Kaká is strong, too strong to let constant transfer talk linking him with Real Madrid CF disrupt the relationship. "This club is like a family. I feel at home here which is very important for me. The rumours about Madrid do not disturb me. I have a contract with Milan until 2011 and I will move only if they want to sell me." Things might have been very different for the former São Paulo FC player who first moved to Europe in 2003. "I didn't pick Milan, Milan picked me. I could have joined Chelsea [FC] but they wanted to send me on loan to Russia while Milan had faith in me immediately. Looking back, I'm very happy with what destiny had in store for me." Another important date with destiny is fast approaching. __________________ What source you can trust: Perfect: acmilan; MM OK: Channel4; calciomercato; tg.com; La Gazzetta Awful: Corriere; Tuttosport; tuttomercatoweb Worst: tribalfootball; goal.com