Andriy Shevchenko's double in AC Milan's 2-1 win at AS Roma this week confirmed the Ukrainian has regained his best form after two years in the doldrums.
A goal in each half by the striker lifted his side to third in the division on 33 points, three points behind leaders Roma and level with Juventus, though Milan have a game in hand.
Tuesday's result turned the spotlight on the modest Shevchenko, who is enjoying a period of spectacular form for his club, with 14 league goals in 13 appearances this season.
"It's great to be seen as the protagonist but Tuesday's match wasn't a case of one man against eleven," he was quoted as saying in La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday.
"Milan's strength lies in teamwork. It was no surprise we won. We played with pride, humility, intelligence and class."
While Shevchenko attempted to play down his contribution, tributes flooded in from fans, fellow players and his bosses at the club.
"Shevchenko's staying with us for good. Maybe as coach," joked Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani.
However, life in Italy has not always been so easy for the striker.
Shevchenko arrived at Milan from Dynamo Kiev for 16.2 million pounds ($29.38 million) at the start of the 1999-2000 season and made an immediate impact by finishing top scorer in Serie A with 24 goals.
He hit the same number the following year but was regularly sidelined by injury during the next two seasons.
"Last season started with a serious (knee) injury and there have been some bad times but I've always put my head down and got on with work because I know in those cases there is little else you can do," he said.
"Now I feel good and I'm happy, and when a player is happy he plays well."
FORM RETURNS
Shevchenko's comeback began in earnest in the penalty shoot-out at last season's all-Italian Champions League final in Manchester, when he converted the winning spot kick to hand Milan victory over Juventus.
He maintained his momentum into the new season, scoring the only goal in his side's European Super Cup win over Porto last August.
Though he lacks the elegance of former Milan star Marco van Basten or the opportunism of team mate Filippo Inzaghi, Shevchenko has a justifiable claim to be the finest all-round striker in Italy today.
Dangerous on either foot and strong in the air, he possesses a delicate touch, as he showed when he broke the deadlock on Tuesday, chesting down a long ball and flicking it over the head of Roma goalkeeper Ivan Pelizzoli.
He even missed a late chance of getting a hat-trick when left one-on-one with Pelizzoli.
"I didn't stay focused. I had too much time to think about the shot," he said. "If I had stayed concentrated I wouldn't have let it slip, even though Pelizzoli did well (to save it)."
His 14 goals so far have also raised the possibility of a challenge to Antonio Valentin Angelillo's 44-year-old record of 33 Serie A goals in a season.
Typically, he tried to temper expectations after the match.
"Who knows? I'm not the sort to make predictions, not least because it might bring bad luck," he said.
"All I'll say at this point is that I'm in good shape and that the team can win a lot this season."
© 2024 Rediff.com -