Ahead of Liverpool’s visit to San Siro, Alisson spoke to the media about what it means to face AC Milan at the stadium, and on the Rossoneri’s changes since Paulo Fonseca arrived.
Starting the season how Milan have is a recipe for disaster, but thankfully they earned their first win against Venezia during the weekend. That positivity could be very shortlived, though, with two massive fixtures awaiting.
Starting with Liverpool, the Rossoneri have two season-defining fixtures one after another, and come Sunday night when the Diavolo have faced Inter, the season could be viewed in two very different lights.
For now, doubts must take a backseat, because in games like these, opponents will pounce on anything that does not exude confidence. Therefore, regardless of the start, the Rossoneri must look to their past, and live up to the teams who came before them, rather than being a shell of them.
The Brazilian goalkeeper spoke to the press about facing Milan, having a ‘good chance’ to bounce back after the weekend’s loss and his return to Italy – his words have been relayed by Milan News.
After the disappointment of the weekend…
“Tomorrow we will have a good chance to show what we are made of. In the last game we were a long way from what we are. Sport changes overnight and we have to focus on what we have to do tomorrow.”
On the feeling of returning to Italy…
“Always a pleasure to come back to Italy, I also come during the holidays. Tomorrow will be a very difficult match for us: there is a great team in front, a historic match and we know they have played two great finals. For us it is a pleasure to have the opportunity to play a match like this. We are ready to fight.”
On Maignan…
“He’s a great goalkeeper. He’s been doing very well for four or five years. He also plays well with France. Replacing a great guy like Lloris is not easy and he’s doing very well. There is a lot of physicality, speed, clean technique: a very good goalkeeper. Among the ten best in the world. The quality of the goalkeepers has grown so much.”
On the hot environment of San Siro…
“We always like these environments, for or against. It will be a beautiful occasion to play football.”
On the Champions League format…
“For the fans it’s great, more games and matches between the big teams. For us it is very positive, to be able to play against the best teams within a single group. It’s nice to add the matches to the calendar even though it was already hard in itself, in fact, I was joking.
“Nobody asks the players for anything, for example, the addition of new matches: our point of view doesn’t count. We are all very tired. Victory? We’ll see, we’ve changed a lot in the last few years. We couldn’t wait to get back into the Champions League.”
On Federico Chiesa…
“There is no need to introduce Chiesa. He has shown his quality. He has also had injuries and moments that were not so good, but the way he arrived pleased me: with a big smile and there is a lot of enthusiasm for him. He shows his quality every day: we are lucky.”
On the hunger for the Champions League…
“Yes, imagine having something you love and not being able to see it for a year. We feel like that. Playing in the Champions League is one of the reasons I came to Europe: not being able to play it last year was a blow.”
On Fonseca’s new Milan…
“We were impressed by the quality of the team, even if the results did not bring confidence. The players with quality are there and we know that tomorrow is a Champions League game: there is motivation and everything can be different from what we have studied and watched. We are concentrated.”
What is the right amount of football to play?
“The answer is not for me alone: it doesn’t have to be me if the right number of games is 40, 50, 60… We will have to sit down and decide at the level of Uefa, national leagues, media, fans. A reasonable thing would be that all the parties responsible for the calendar should get together and listen to the other parties, also and especially the players.
“Many have already spoken and we just need to be heard. I want to give everything for this team but we need a real solution for the good of football and the players.”