Davide Bartesaghi has retraced his steps at AC Milan so far, from his first day at training to his aims for the future.
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It has been without doubt the biggest season in Bartesaghi’s development so far. The young full-back spent most of last season with the Futuro, but Massimiliano Allegri liked what he saw and kept him with the senior side for the start of the season.
Pervis Estupinan was signed to be the new starting left wing-back, but an injury gave the Italian a chance. He grabbed it with both hands, putting in consecutive assured performances and even scoring his first two Serie A goals. Now, he is the present as well as the future.
Bartesaghi on his journey, idols, team-mates and more
He also starred for Italy U21s over the break. On the day of his meeting with fans at the Flagship Store in Via Dante, Bartesaghi took part in a video that was posted on the club’s official YouTube channel as part of the ‘On The Road’ series with partners BMW. MilanNews relayed his words.
What’s your first thought when you walk through the gates of Milanello?
“Just walking through it is incredible. I remember the first day I came here to train… My dad still used to bring me here, and it was an incredible feeling for both of us. Every time I walk through this gate, I always try to remember the boy I was, and so I always try to give my all when I’m on the pitch.”
How much of a Milan fan are you?
“A big one. I’ve known it since I was really little. My father instilled in me the passion for Milan, then when I was little I started playing for them, so I’ve been a huge fan since I was little. My very first memory was the first day of the tryout.
“I walked through the gates of Vismara and found myself facing two legends like Paolo Maldini and Angelo Carbone. But more for my father, he knew them better. It was something incredible.”
The first Milan shirt you had?
“Maybe my father gave it to me, but I don’t remember the year. It had no name, just a couple of signatures. I have it hanging in my bedroom as a picture.”
At what age did you start playing football?
“I spent about five years with my local team. From there, I played a couple of years before joining Atalanta’s youth academy for a year and a half. And then walking through the gates of Vismara was a dream.”
What is your relationship with the area where you grew up?
“I love it, I’m still living there. I have everything: family and friends. I really enjoy it. When I have free days, I spend some time walking with friends on the lake and I feel great.”
Do you also take some boat trips on the lake?
“I’ve done it a few times, obviously I only have a few days off but when there are nice days and my friends are free we take it and go for a nice ride.”
Your childhood idol?
“Besides Maldini, I watched Marcelo. That’s when I started to get into football. I was speechless.”
What is Modric like?
“He’s an exceptional person, as well as a great footballer. We have a lot to learn from him, both in terms of how he trains and the person he is off the pitch; it’s very important.
“My first thought when I saw him in the Rossoneri shirt… I watched that scene with my dad because we were at home having lunch and the official announcement had come out.
“The next day I found him at Milanello, and it had quite an impact, because a few years ago I wouldn’t have thought of sharing the pitch and the dressing room with him.”
Is there anything a more experienced team-mate has told you to help you?
“There are several people who have spoken to me. Rafa, Gabbia, Modric… They are very important people in the dressing room. I have a good relationship with them and they always try to help me in some way, whether things are going well or not.
“Gabbia is always by my side, we always do things together. He’s the person I have the closest relationship with at Milan. Rafa, when I scored a brace, besides giving me the picture with my photo, gave a nice gift.
“He told me that the most difficult moment was coming. It’s something I appreciated because he’s truly a top person and I love him.”
A description of Mr. Allegri?
“One word? He’s friendly and positive. He always tries to find the right side of things, he always tries to be positive, and he asks us to do the same. He says that negativity doesn’t bring good things. It goes without saying that he’s a great coach, I thank him for what he’s giving me.”
Is there a game you’d like to replay?
“I think the Youth League final. The year before, we had reached the semi-finals, we had really worked hard, especially with coach Abate, who was a very important coach in my career. I think it’s the match I’d like to play again. There was too much work behind it, and we lost in a somewhat ambiguous way.”
What have these years in Milan’s youth academy given you? Is there anything in particular that helped you grow?
“I’d say my Under 23 career. From a certain perspective, it wasn’t a great experience, but as I’ve always said, the fruits of hard work continue to be seen, especially when things aren’t going well.
“Also, last year wasn’t easy; it was a new category with a new project. In terms of rankings, it didn’t go well, but as a person, I’ve changed a lot.”
After the relegation to Serie D that came with the defeat against SPAL, did you expect to be where you are now?
“No, I wouldn’t have imagined it. But that’s what I worked for. That night I was truly devastated, I didn’t expect to hit rock bottom. It helped me, and it was a great life lesson.”
What music do you listen to before the game?
“I mainly listen to it after snack time, usually around 5:30pm. It’s a time when I prepare myself mentally and focus on what might happen: music gets me going. I listen to some Italian trap, some reggaeton, even some French music they play in the dressing room, and I like some of the songs.”
What do you do as soon as you enter the field?
“I greet the children, make the sign of the cross, say a superstitious phrase, and then I look at the fans, who always give me that extra boost, that emotion that tells me to always give something more.”
Is there anything you always do after the match?
“No, maybe I’ll sit down and, with my mind still a little fresh, analyse and review the match mentally. Then maybe when I get home I’ll watch it again. If I know I played a great match, I’ll try to look at the details even more because those are the things that make the difference.”
Which match are you most fond of since you’ve been playing for the first team at AC Milan?
“The day of the brace [against Sassuolo] on December 14th. It was an extraordinary day. It was truly incredible to hear your name being shouted from San Siro. I think it’s something unique.
“When people ask me what it’s like to hear my last name at San Siro, I struggle to answer because it’s a bit of a strange feeling.”
What did Corradi [Italy U21 coach] tell you during the week?
“We were preparing for the match and he said to me, ‘When are you going to score?’ The week before in Turin I had tried to score with my head and the goalkeeper had made a great save, so he teased me a bit. But afterward I gave him a nice answer (laughs).”
Finally, a message for all the fans?
“I want to say a huge thank you for everything they’re doing, even just for the support they give us game after game, no matter how it goes.
“This season, especially, the home support is making itself felt, and that’s what pushes us to perform well in the final minutes, to make up for lost time, as we have done at times.”