Stay fit....please!

We will mourn the loss of Antonio Cassano for the rest of the season. Although, I do reserve some hope that we will see him before we claim a second consecutive Scudetto and an eighth European crown in May at the Allianz Arena after we beat Barcelona 3-0. How I wish.

Just like a depressed patient who is unable to escape their inner turmoil even with the offer of their favourite candy, the suggestions that the club may sign Maxi Lopez or Didier Drogba have done little to appease for the loss of FantAntonio.

Then comes the news of Alexandre Pato being back in full training and apparently ready to face Fiorentina. Great and just in time Alex. Out goes Cassano and in you come.

While the Brazilian, on his day, is an electrifying player with the most clinical ability to finish off chances, the question remains; for how long will he be back?

Pato seems to be aiming to become the very definition of an injury prone player. The last two seasons he has suffered numerous ailments and, I admit as a fan, it is becoming frustrating. So much so that recently I have thought that if the club get offered a good figure for him then they should sell him while he is still hot property.

I am not the only one too. Adriano Galliani recently indicated his growing concern with Pato over this issue. Recently he told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “This is no longer about luck or bad luck. I have called a meeting between head coach [Massimiliano] Allegri, the fitness coaches and the medical staff to try to understand why a player who in 2008 and 2009 never had any problems, has now broken down for the umpteenth time with a muscular injury.”

Pato remains a great player, and one with still greater potential. If he can avoid injury, get some regular playing time and gain some consistency in front of goal, I believe the sky is the limit.

Milan’s next game is away against Fiorentina and Pato is expected to take part. The omens are good as the Brazilian has never failed to score at the Stadio Artemio Franchi and Milan have always won when he has scored.

His return is also good timing in regard to the Champions League as Pato will get some much needed match practice before the epic clash with Barcelona at the San Siro on November 23. Another good omen here is that all of Pato’s three goals scored in the Europe’s top tier competition have come against either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Here is that one he scored recently at the Camp Nou. More of same please Pato.