Zapata keen for Milan debut

Cristian Zapata is looking forward to making his first official appearance for AC Milan on Sunday, and said he is in excellent condition.

The defender joined the San Siro side from Villarreal on a one-year loan deal in the off-season, and is keen to make an impact at his new club.

“I am ready to make my debut for AC Milan, both in Serie A and in the Champions League,” Zapata told Milan’s website.

“I am feeling very well and I am ready to play. I started training on August 12 and you do a lot of work during pre-season here in Italy.”

The Colombia international looked ahead to Sunday’s match against Sampdoria, and warned the newly promoted side will be no pushovers.

“Sampdoria will prove to be a difficult opponent. We have to be very careful. Maxi Lopez could cause us a few problems,” he said.

Milan secured the services of Giampaolo Pazzini from Inter Milan on Wednesday, and Zapata is confident the striker will thrive with the club.

“Pazzini has arrived at the club and he’s a great player. I’m sure that if the club made the decision to do this deal, they did so because they feel it will work out well for Milan,” he said.