Pato absence no alibi- Galliani

(GSM) – Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani insists the Rossoneri have enough quality players up front to deal with the blow of losing Alexandre Pato to injury.

The Brazilian striker limped out of Sunday’s league win over Atalanta with a thigh problem and could miss Saturday’s visit to Roma as well as next Wednesday’s Champions League last 16 second leg tie away to Manchester United.

“Pato was walking on Sunday night, so he didn’t tear the muscle,” Galliani told the Milan Channel.

“It’s hard to say, it doesn’t look serious, but even a minor problem could rule him out of two vital games in our season.

“The doctors say that it is difficult to ascertain the extent of the damage until Wednesday.

“Either way, we have plenty of other players. Should Pato withdraw, we will have to take to the pitch with the same determination.

“We must do well regardless, with or without Pato.”

Milan will have to reverse a 3-2 deficit next week to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and Galliani added: “We are only focused on Roma at the moment. The lads take it one game at a time. We’ll think about Manchester when we make the flight back home.”