19/02/2002

INZAGHI WOULD LOVE TO FINISH CAREER AT MILAN

Injured Italy forward Filippo Inzaghi has vowed to see out his career with AC Milan, the club he joined in the summer from rivals Juventus.

"I have never felt as loved as I am here. I'll end my career in Milan," said the £16 million striker.

Inzaghi failed to win over Juve fans despite a constant supply of goals, but he immediately hit it off with the Milan faithful after starting the 2001-02 season in imperious fashion.

He formed a lethal partnership with Andriy Shevchanko until disaster struck when he injured his knee during the game against Chievo at the beginning of December.

It was even feared that he would miss the rest of the season, although he is now aiming for a March return.

And after seeing his team-mates leave for the Netherlands to play Roda JC in the fourth round of the Uefa Cup, Inzaghi said his desire for a quick comeback was fuelled by the reception he has received at the San Siro.

"I had a fantastic 2001 and it was only ruined by the injury. Here at Milan I feel like I am at the top," explained the 28-year-old.

Meanwhile, the former Atalanta striker is still hopeful of making Giovanni Trapattoni's World Cup squad, although he is aware of the risks of returning too early.

He said: "I'm doing well at the moment. I am following my rehabilitation programme and I still have a little while to go before I can start training again.

"I want to start tomorrow but it is better to wait until I am completely ready," he told the AC Milan television channel.

A goal-poacher par excellence, 'Pippogol' signed for Juventus from Atalanta in the summer of 1997 after a prolific season and soon became the preferred attacking partner of Alessandro Del Piero.

Inzaghi followed the lead set by Zinedine Zidane when he pledged his future to Juventus in January 2001 but the arrival of David Trezeguet, the French Euro 2000 hero, meant his days at the Stadio Delle Alpi were numbered.

[Onefootball.com]