Keisuke Honda has admitted that he's still adjusting to his new position on the right wing for AC Milan, after years as a playmaker and attacking midfielder.
"I'm learning. Sometimes I have some trouble, but I'm improving," the Japan international told the Gazzetta dello Sport on Friday. "I played behind the strikers for many years and now the assignment has changed."
Honda struggled for playing time at the start of this season under Milan's first-year coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but he has now become a regular fixture in the line-up in his new position.
"In the summer [Mihajlovic] positioned me behind the forwards and physically I felt fine, but he wasn't satisfied by my performance," Honda said. "No player is happy when they're on the bench but this, too, was a precious experience. I haven't spent much time on the bench in my career and now I know how players feel when they're not playing."
Honda may have found an effective starting spot, but is disappointed that he has scored only one goal in 25 Serie A appearances this season.
"I should score more," he said. "In Italy the strikers are individualistic."
With Milan struggling in sixth place, Honda and the Rossoneri host Serie A front runners Juventus on Saturday.