The 28-year-old joined the Rossoneri in the summer on a free transfer from Fiorentina and has gone on to form an important part of Massimiliano Allegriâs plans at San Siro this season.
And the vice-president believes Montolivoâs performance in the 2-1 Serie A victory over Parma on Friday is proof that the midfielder is beginning to fill their former pass masterâs boots.
âWe are putting on an extraordinary chase [for third place in Serie A] and it was important that we won,â Galliani told Milanâs official website.
âWe didnât play in the first half but Montolivo had a good game and is probably playing the best football of his career. We have found another Pirlo.â[/B][/FONT]
Galliani also took the time to heap yet more praise on new signing Mario Balotelli following the strikerâs winning free kick against the Gialloblu.
âI cannot remember such a soft touch to send the ball over the wall [and into the net],â he added. "We all remember Balotelliâs powerful efforts but not the soft touches.
"It was [Sulley] Muntari and [Mario] Yepes who went over to [MâBaye] Niang and told him it was Balotelliâs free kick which shows what a great team effort it was.
âWe are sold out for the Champions League match against Barcelona and it will be a wonderful spectacle.â
Galliani is right, Montolivo is arguably the best midfielder in the world right now.
The Neapoliatans are baying for the referees blood at the moment. No real major decisions but he seems to be very foul happy and has given a few decisions the wrong way, he also blocked Pandev off a minute ago.
Yeah, the pitch is awful and it is detrimental to the way Napoli play as they play at such speed and like to pass the ball directly and at pace through the middle. De Sanctis is a clown, he always looks like he will do something stupid but has a charmed life.
0-0 FT - a huge missed opportunity for Napoli who play Juventus at home in two weeks time. Sampdoria were very dogged in their defending today but their approach would not be one for the footballing purists. The pitch at the San Paolo is a disgrace.
Canât see past an AC victory in this. Interâs squad is pretty lacking in depth and they are ravaged with injuries at the minute - Milito, Samuel and Ranocchia are massive losses for them. Milan are in great form and will no doubt be buoyed by their midweek victory against Barca, Balotelli should also come back into the team for them. I think this one will have lots of goals in and should be a cracker as the general rule with Milan derbies is that they are both entertaining and exciting. You also have the nice sub-plot of Balotelli and Cassano being viewed as hate figures for the opposite sets of fans.
Canât see past an AC victory in this. Interâs squad is pretty lacking in depth and they are ravaged with injuries at the minute - Milito, Samuel and Ranocchia are massive losses for them. Milan are in great form and will no doubt be buoyed by their midweek victory against Barca, Balotelli should also come back into the team for them. I think this one will have lots of goals in and should be a cracker as the general rule with Milan derbies is that they are both entertaining and exciting. You also have the nice sub-plot of Balotelli and Cassano being viewed as hate figures for the opposite sets of fans.[/quote]
1-1 with at least 6 yellows and 1 red.