Tough games will help Milan bounce back: Ronaldinho

Crisis-hit AC Milan head into a perilous pair of matches in the coming week that could make or break their season, but Brazilian forward Ronaldinho believes that could inspire his team.

Milan have endured a dreadful start to the season, finding goals hard to come by and scoring just six times in nine matches.

They have won only two of their first seven Serie A encounters and in the Champions League they lost 1-0 at home to Swiss minnows FC Zurich.

It is not the type of form to inspire confidence ahead of their clash against Roma at the San Siro on Sunday and then a trip to Spain to tackle Real Madrid and former star Kaka at the Bernabeu.

But having coming up short against the likes of Udinese, Livorno, Atalanta and Bari this season, Ronaldinho insists the next two fixtures are exactly the kind of games Milan need to kick-start their season.

“I would like to beat Kaka and Real Madrid in the Champions League, that would give us a big boost to get back on track,” Ronaldinho told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“And first of all the game against Roma could change our season. But one match isn’t enough. We need to string a run of results together, Milan should be fighting for titles.”

The desire to win silverware was one reason Ronaldinho cited when he joined the club at the beginning of last season but after a good start to his Milan career, 2009 has had more downs than ups.

He lost his place in the team after injuring himself half-way through last season and with little sign of his Barcelona form of old this term, he has once again found himself often warming the bench.

“I think positively,” he said. “If I have to start on the bench I’ll be ready to contribute but I’m only happy when I’m playing.

“I’ll try to convince (Milan coach) Leonardo that I’m the real Ronaldinho and that I deserve to be picked.”

The 29-year-old is also aware that if he fails to hold down a regular starting place, that could jeopardise his chances of going to the World Cup in South Africa with his country next year.

“I hope to help the Selecao to win the title,” he added. “I speak often with (Brazil coach) Dunga, we have a great relationship.

“The coach isn’t calling me up at the moment and I understand why. If I’m not playing for Milan, how can I play for the Selecao?

“But I’m not giving up, there’s still time to convince everyone.”