14 January 2004 10:33

MILAN - Alessandro Nesta is set to return to the first team in the
Italian Cup match against Roma this evening after completing his
recovery from knee surgery. The Rossonero defender told 'Gazzetta
dello Sport': 'At present I'm less match-fit than those team-mates
who have not played very often. I need to take competitive action and
I don't know how long can I play. This is an important game for us,
as we won this competition last season. Well, it is not like the
league though, and we don't have to demonstrate that we can beat and
beat again the big sides because we have always made a good
impression facing the title competitors in Serie A this season. And
we will try to go on like this also in the Italian Cup because it
won't be a second-string Milan side the one who will play Roma, but a
team of great players who just have less chances than the others to
impress.'                   

NESTA: 'An important test'
14 January 2004 22:49

MILAN - Alessandro Nesta, who returned to competitive action after a
meniscus injury and deriving surgery since December 16, gives his
first sensations at the end of Milan's 2-1 victory over Roma. 'To be
honest, I thought it would have gone worse. I had not played for 40
days and have joined the team in training for just two. I believe I
have done quite well this evening and I'm certain I will improve day
by day, the important is that the knee responds well, form and
stamina will come as a consequence.'

And he added: 'We really want to go through in the Italian Cup
because it gives serenity to the team. In this way everyone has a
chance to impress. Was [John] Carew a tough opponent? He has a good
pace and it is difficult to mark him because he is very quick with
the ball. It was a good test for me to face him this evening.'