Pato dismisses transfer speculation

Monday 30 November 2009 08:58 EST
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Pato is in a race to be fit for the clash with United
Pato is in a race to be fit for the clash with United (GETTY IMAGES)

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Alexandre Pato has pledged his long-term commitment to AC Milan in an attempt to end the speculation surrounding his future.

The £30million-rated Brazil international was the subject of interest from Chelsea during the summer but opted to stay with the Rossoneri and sign a new long-term contract.

The 20-year-old is now hoping to see out that lengthy contract at the San Siro.

He explained: "I am very happy here and have only recently signed a contract extension to 2014.

"Where do I see myself in five years? Back here in the Milan training camp giving an interview, only with more trophies in the cabinet behind me."

Internazionale's Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he is not quite sure when he will return to action.

The 25-year-old former Real Madrid and Ajax schemer is currently being troubled by a thigh injury picked up while on international duty and was unable to play a part against Fiorentina this weekend.

He told Sky Italia: "I am improving, but there is no precise date for my comeback. I feel better, but I cannot say when I will return. Certainly not on Sunday, that much I know."

Meanwhile, coach Ciro Ferrara is refusing to panic despite seeing his Juventus side lose a second vital game in the space of five days.

The Turin club followed up their potentially disastrous Champions League loss to Bordeaux in midweek with a 2-0 Serie A defeat on the road against Cagliari.

The defeat saw Juve slip eight points off the pace set by reigning champions Internazionale at the top of the table.

"I don't think Juve were outplayed," Ferrara declared. "We conceded a great goal and that certainly put us on the back foot a little.

"The defeat isn't easy to stomach because we tried everything to come away with a draw but it wasn't to be.

"Against Bordeaux we lost and the performance was well under par, while here we were also defeated but we didn't deserve to come away with nothing."

Internazionale coach Jose Mourinho refused to get carried away despite his side moving seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table with a 1-0 home win over Fiorentina.

Mourinho's critics had rounded on the Portuguese coach following the midweek Champions League defeat to Barcelona which left the Italian champions' European hopes hanging by a narrow thread.

But after Sunday's victory over La Viola which came via a late penalty from Diego Milito, Mourinho was in a strangely subdued mood.

"This was an important match and Inter played a great match," he said. "For 80 minutes my team played better and had chances to score, we scored late on but the victory was deserved.

"We had also scored earlier, but the referee didn't give it. I'm not commenting on that.

"After the defeat to Barcelona, I was the worst coach Inter could have. Now I'm the best again. That's the way it goes."

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