Berlusconi rediscovers passion

Milan president Silvio Berlusconi, the Italy Prime Minister, has rediscovered his passion for football according to club captain Andrea Pirlo.

Speaking from Italy’s training base just outside Florence ahead of the 2006 world champions’ opening Euro 2012 qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn tomorrow, the 31-year-old reflected on a busy past few days in the transfer market.

Milan secured big-money but cut-price deals to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic (€24 million) and Robinho (€18 million) to the club.

And Pirlo says that’s down to a new lease of life in Milan’s president.

“He’s been very close recently, often coming into the dressing room. Now he’s given us these last two gifts, he’s got his passion back,” Pirlo said of Berlusconi.

“To be honest I wasn’t expecting it at first but then having heard certain things I started to understand. This closes the gap to Inter. Now we’re built to win in Italy and Europe.

“With two new strikers we’ll need a bit of time to find our rhythm but all four can play together, Ibra, Pato, Ronaldinho and Robinho.

“Even last year we had a centre-forward and three attackers behind him and that was our best two months of the season. Of course, everyone will have to sacrifice themselves and run.”

Turning his attentions to the national team, Pirlo said they have to restart from scratch following the World Cup debacle in South Africa.

“We need to start playing football, South Africa 2010 proved that you need quality to win,” he said.

“Keeping the ball on the ground, interchanging, we’ll also learn to do this. The problem with Italian football is that we all have less quality: players, fans, stadiums, we need to get that back.”

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s match against the team ranked 94th in the world, Pirlo insisted it would not be easy.

“In Tallinn there will be a small pitch with many pitfalls. Last year Estonia lost only 1-0 to Brazil.

“They have a good team, it won’t be a stroll in the park. A victory is a must.”