AC Milan’s defender Alessio Romagnoli featured on the press conference today, ahead of the Rossoneri’s clash with Lazio in Coppa Italia. Here’s what he had to say.
On Lazio: “It’s always nice to face Lazio, I’m Lazio fan and my faith has remained the same. We play in a stadium where I used to go to see the Scudetto team. However, tomorrow our goal is to win.”
On reaching the cup final: “Coppa Italia is a goal even from the beginning of the season. We must try to get to the final. They are a good group and with Inzaghi, they are doing well.”
On Milinkovic-Savic and Immobile: “Sergej is doing well, Ciro has scored a lot of goals. Strakosha is also a good player.”
On the difference between Gattuso and Montella: “They are two different types, with Montella we held the ball more and there wasn’t much focus on the defensive phase. Gattuso has basically been a reset, we are working on many concepts, especially defensive ones. We have settled fairly well, even on a physical level.”
On what Gattuso has transmitted to the team: “He gave us his grit and his character as a champion. He is very experienced on this, he has known Milan for many years.”
On the possibility of teaming up with Bonucci in the national team: “It’s nice that Di Biagio wants to bet on us, he’s the manager so he decides. However, it’s up to us on the field to prove our worth.”
On the defence as their strong point: “Organization is essential, especially in Italian football which is very tactical. Gattuso arrived at a particular moment for us, we immediately saw that he wanted to change our attitude, bring us as high as possible. Now he is succeeding and we hope that he will continue like this.”
On improving: “You can always improve and grow, I had to gain a lot of experience because I arrived at Milan when I was very young. I feel a lot better but I have to grow up again. The comparison with Nesta is a pleasure, but he was the strongest of them all and no one will ever be like him.”
On the renewal of his contract: “It depends on me, the matches and the performances. Then it will be a task for Fassone and my agent Berti, who for the record will remain as my agent.”
On the Champions League: “It is our goal, but we have take it game by game and continue to stay there in the standings. At the end of the season, we’ll see how it ends.”
On reaching 100 matches with Milan: “I’m very proud, it was a great emotion, but now I’m focused on the future.”
On the Doha Super Cup: “I remember it with pleasure, winning the Supercoppa Italiana, it was my first club title.”
On what match he would like to replay: “Maybe against Roma last year. We played very well but then we burned ourselves. On Sunday we made amends.”
On Bonucci: “Leo is a versatile player, but I feel comfortable with everyone. Playing together as much time as possible helps.”
On the Lazio clash that comes at a great time for Milan: “Yes, but we can still grow, the season is still long. It will be a great challenge.”
If solid foundations have been laid for the future: “I hope so, it’s nice to be in a group of young people, but there is the right mix of experts and young people. We also have many quality foreigners.”
On Immobile: “He is really strong. However, there are also many other dangerous players. We have to be careful.”
On keeping your feet on the ground: “Gattuso makes us live very quiet, we try to isolate ourselves from everything and think about game after game. I hope Gattuso stays here, it’s up to us and him to get the confirmation by getting good results on the field.”
Donnarumma, Conti, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Calabria the future of the National team? “I hope so, because we are doing well. We are also waiting for Andrea who is very important for us, he will give us a great hand.”
