Gourcuff's star turn

"I could not have dreamt of a better start," beamed an ecstatic Yoann Gourcuff shortly after leaving the San Siro pitch to a standing ovation last week. The 20-year-old Frenchman was a surprise inclusion in AC Milan's opening UEFA Champions League group match against AEK Athens FC, and he seized his opportunity with an exceptional performance. "I only found out I was starting in the morning," he said. "I tried to stay calm and concentrate but it wasn't easy in that atmosphere. When I scored my goal I was full of emotion."

Berlusconi praise
Gourcuff's goal, a firm header from Kaká's right-wing cross, was Milan's second in a 3-0 win, but it was his elegant midfield play more than his scoring exploits that captured the public's imagination. Comparisons with a certain Zinédine Zidane began to flow and according to reports, Gourcuff even received a congratulatory message from Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi at Giannino's restaurant later that night.

'Hunger to succeed'
Quite a baptism for the French Under-21 international who arrived from Stade Rennais FC for €4m in the summer. "Everything has gone really well so far," Gourcuff told uefa.com. "A lot of people questioned my decision to leave France so young but I gave the move a lot of thought and I'm convinced I made the right choice. Milan are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I feel this is the best place for me to progress."

Daunting
Tall and composed in possession, he has an innate ability to read the game and execute telling passes. The part he played in Rennes' 4-1 win away to Olympique Lyonnais last February, scoring once and slicing the champions' defence open almost at will, highlighted his extraordinary talent. Demonstrative on the field, Gourcuff is extremely shy off it and admits the early days at Milan were daunting.

'Different world'
"It's a different world to the one I was used to at Rennes," he said. "In training I'm surrounded by world stars." The warm welcome he received helped him to settle and Gourcuff is also benefiting from coach Carlo Ancelotti's influence. He described the former Italy midfielder as "a coach who is very close to his players. He talks to us a lot and has spoken to me individually on several occasions. I know I can learn a lot from him."

Long-term plans
The Frenchman knows he must sustain his form to remain part of Ancelotti's plans, however. "I want to be at Milan for many years and that means I have to fight for my place constantly and show a lot of patience," he said. "My aim is to play a little bit in my first season, play a bit more regularly in my second season, then be a first choice in my third season. With Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League, there are plenty of games so hopefully I'll get my chances."

France return
Gourcuff is particularly keen to be involved in Milan's next UEFA Champions League outing, a Group H trip to LOSC Lille Métropole on Tuesday. "I was delighted when I saw we were grouped with Lille," he smiled. "It's nice to be returning to France so soon. I was worried that people in France might forget about me, but now the French media can talk about me a little bit." If he continues to play like he did against AEK, there is absolutely no chance of him being forgotten.

This is an abridged version of an article that appears in this week's edition of the uefa.com Magazine. To read the feature in full, click here.