USEFUL SELF-CRITICISM

10/1/2007 7:42:00 PM
"We know perfectly in what we have to improve, we have to be self-critical because Milan have always been capable of accepting defeats and react." - THE WORDS OF CLARENCE SEEDORF -

MILANELLO - Here are the words said by Clarence Seedorf to Milan Channel's microphones at the end of today's training session at Milanello:

"Against European Champions Milan all the teams in the league play more aggressively and defensively. We are aware that the goals we are conceding are gifts, and right now we are in a position where we can't give away anything. Words are pointless now, we have to go on the pitch united.
Only three days ago in Palermo we played a great match, but despite everything we lost because there are certain episodes that can change the result. We shouldn't listen to the voices which come from the outside, we know perfectly well what we must improve in, we have to be self-critical because Milan have always been able to accept defeats and react, doing better and better. We are a united group, we only have to concentrate on who we are and what we are doing, but again I think many times results don't tell the truth about performances. Only by being united, self-critical, and our determination are the fundamental conditions to improve, everything outside that does not concern us.
Wednesday in Glasgow I expect a similar game to the one last year. Celtic are a tough team, who run a lot, maybe now they have some problems as they are missing a striker, but generally they are fine. We are ready to face them. Compared to last year, perhaps, they might know us a little better and be more prepared. It will be a touch match, but we have to remain united.
However we can't hide, in the league we did not start well at all, but we can get out of this by making objective self-criticism because we know we can do better.
Our problem concerns the collective, also this morning the players which played yesterday commented the match in a constructive manner, because for everyone belonging to the group is the most important thing even when things don't go so well.
The league doesn't influence the Champions League however, and anyway I've been here since 2002 and this team always managed to be competitive in the league in the last five years. The Champions League is a special event, but if we don't do well in the league it will start to be the same in the Champions League too."