AMANTINO MANCINI is happy with his performance against Napoli on Sunday noon, and still believing that Milan can claim the first place in the Serie A and take over Inter.

The Brazilian winger came on as an early substitute to the injured Alexandre Pato on Sunday when the Rossoneri drew with the Azzuri and missed a great chance to get the first spot of the Italian first division.

Nine games are left to play, and the gap still stands at one point between AC Milan and Inter Milan, while Roma are three points away from Milan, and four from Inter. Mancini, who played in all three clubs talked about Napoli game.

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“I’m happy about my performance today and I want to thank Adriano Galliani, the coach Leonardo and Ariedo Braida for all the trust they showed in me,” he said.

“From my part, to repay them, I will try to give my best on the pitch. Following a long period of inactivity it’s not easy, but I will do my best to help Milan reach its objectives.

“When I went in instead of Pato, I was cold, there was the need to go in straight away because the team was losing and it was important to be ready.

“The draw can be considered as a missed opportunity to overtake Inter, but at the same time Milan has always searched for the goal and played well.

“We must not forget that Napoli are one of the most in form teams in the league. Now we must lower our heads because in this season anything can still happen and we must obtain some nice satisfactions.

We must try to remain attached to Inter in the standings until the end, the Italian league is nice and I think that everytrhing will be decided in the final matchdays.

“We must think about the Scudetto and today’s game is the proof of the quality and the right mentality of the team.

“Physically I’m fine, since I’ve been at Milan I lose four filos of which three and a half in fat. With the work of MilanLab I’m improving my condition and I succeed to express myself better on the pitch.

“Pato? He’s a bit sad for today’s injury, he must cure himself wel then eh will return stronger than before. Going on the pitch at San Siro today was a particular emotion, especially following a bad month.

“Many fans welcomed me and I’m happy to wear these colours, I felt happy as a child.”

By Meytar Zeevi, Rossoneri Blog