AC Milan's ''Italian heart'' has helped it rally from a bad start to top Serie A for the first time in four years, coach Carlo Ancelotti said Monday.
''We have a team with an Italian heart, that knows the value of hard work,'' Ancelotti said a day after a hard-fought 1-0 win over ten-man Napoli put Milan a point ahead of title holders Inter Milan and Udinese.
Seven out of Milan's 11 players on Sunday night were Italian, including current or former internationals like Gianluca Zambrotta, Daniele Bonera, Giuseppe Favalli, Massimo Ambrosini, Marco Borriello and Filippo Inzaghi.
Milan's rivals, with the exception of the currently struggling Roma, field far fewer home-grown talent.
Asked how Milan recovered from two opening losses to win seven out of its next eight games, Ancelotti told Italian radio:
''Milan put itself back on its feet thanks above all to its strong determination to overcome its initial difficulties''.
Ancelotti said the team had to adjust to new arrivals but also cope with the loss of players like playmaker Andrea Pirlo.
Since Pirlo was injured seven games ago, the coach said, there had been more hard graft and football that was less pretty to watch.
''In these last few matches we've seen a Milan that is perhaps less technical and less skilful in using the ball but also more concrete''.
However, Pirlo will be a boost when he comes back ''shortly,'' Ancelotti stressed.
''When Pirlo returns I think we'll play better. He's an indispensable player for us, his presence on the field guarantees quality''.
