Goal trail runs dry for Gilardino

AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino started the season with the clear intention of scoring his first goal in the UEFA Champions League after failing to find the net in ten appearances last season. Two games in the third qualifying round and one more in Group H later, however, 'Gila' has yet to make his mark in the most prestigious European club competition and to make it worse he has also stopped scoring in Serie A.

Barren run
The 24-year-old Italian international, who helped the Azzurri to win the FIFA World Cup in the summer, has not scored in his last 699 minutes of football for Milan, a barren run that dates back to a 3-1 win at FC Messina Peloro on 22 April. However, nobody at Milan has lost the faith in the former Parma FC striker who last month signed a new contract that will keep him at the San Siro until 2011.

Temporary hitch
"We have to leave Gilardino to work in peace," said his attacking partner Filippo Inzaghi. "Periods like this come to every forward. When we concede goals it's not only the defence's fault and when we don't score it's not only the forwards' fault. I'm sure it's just a bad period and soon Gila will start scoring again as he has always done in his career."

Cool head
Milan have scored only once in their last four games, with Kahka Kaladze - a defender - making his mark in the Saturday's 1-1 draw at UC Sampdoria. Gilardino, however, is not worried with his current situation, saying: "It is no different from last season. My performances have always been good even if I haven't scored. I have had chances and I have gone very close. It's just a lean period and I just have to keep calm and train hard."

Tough love
However, a few days ago Gilardino's former team-mate at Parma, Domenico Morfeo, told him that he has to change his gentle and calm attitude. "If he wants to succeed at Milan he must be ruthless and selfish," he said. Gilardino, however, is not about to follow his friend's advice. "I would never manage that," he said. "It's not my style, I'm not like that at all. I want to start scoring again but without changing my usual behaviour."

No worries
Gilardino's hunt for his first goal in the UEFA Champions League could restart on Tuesday when Milan visit RSC Anderlecht. Carlo Ancelotti may decide to start with Ricardo Oliveira alongside Inzaghi in attack, but his faith in Gilardino is devout. "He is a great forward and will start scoring again very soon as he has always done," said the coach. "We are not worried at all for Gilardino at Milan."