Inter still top dog, Zambrotta says
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It may be a new season, but AC Milan fullback Gianluca Zambrotta believes there will be little change at the top of Serie A.
The veteran insists that despite the departure of engimatic coach Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan will still be the favorite this coming campaign.
"I believe Inter will still be the team to beat. They're the best team and then there's ourselves, Juventus and AS Roma," he said.
"I believe that's the starting grid on paper, but then again things can change on the pitch."
Inter has won the past five titles, with Roma finishing runner-up on four of those occasions.
Last season, Milan was a distant third. It has been criticized in some quarters for having an ageing squad, with the likes of Zambrotta, Alessandro Nesta, Filippo Inzaghi and Clarence Seedorf all well into their 30s.
It could even field a recognizable first-choice XI next season made up entirely of players older than 30, but Zambrotta says it still has much to offer.
"We're not in fashion any more. If you look at the last World Cup, even if we didn't do well, I was in good form and at 33 I believe I have shown that I'm capable of being part of a great team," he said.
"I believe the others of my age are also in good form physically and they have the desire to give a lot more."
Milan has also been criticized this summer for not investing more, particularly in young players.
It has only strengthened with young Greek international centerback Sokratis Papastatholopoulos and 34-year-old Colombian centerback Mario Yepes.
Even so, Zambrotta believes the club is strong enough to compete.
"It's not my job to talk about transfers and do the sporting director's role," he said.
"But I believe we're already competitive to fight on three fronts. I don't think we need anything in particular."
If it is to challenge on three fronts, as it failed to do last season, Milan will be expecting more from inconsistent Brazilian forward Ronaldinho, particularly after he committed his future to the Rossoneri this season.
Zambrotta believes if the talented forward plays on his favored left wing, he can be devastating.
"He's training well and he seems happy and with the desire to be great again," he said. "I don't know about his personal situation, but the important thing is that he helps us win games.
"I knew him at Barcelona and he always played on the left, and he did it well although he also has the ability to play behind the strikers. It all depends what the coach wants."
While Zambrotta insists Milan has no problem with its generation of golden oldies, he believes Italy does need new blood following its South African World Cup debacle.
"We need new players. We need to insert some good young players, but I don't think we need to have a complete overhaul like they've done in France," he said, before insisting he will still be available.
"I'd never say no to my country because I'm too attached to the colors. If the coach calls me, I'll definitely say yes."
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