Following the important 2-0 win against Perugia this afternoon, Milan Futuro manager Daniele Bonera spoke to the media at the press conference. He praised his players for the ‘excellent’ interpretation of the game.
Milan Futuro headed into the clash in a tough situation, having dropped to the bottom of the table, but they were able to respond with a strong performance. Gabriele Alesi opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick and Kevin Zeroli then doubled it with a fantastic bicycle kick.
Speaking at the press conference after the game, as transcribed by AllMilan, Bonera shared his thoughts on the performance and what the Rossoneri did so well. He also heaped praise on captain Zeroli, who played a really good game aside from the goal as well.
What made the difference today?
“The interpretation of the game was excellent, without taking anything away from Perugia. Even in the last games we faced the matches in a positive way, only then due to circumstances we did not achieve the results we hoped for.
“Today was the continuation of our daily life, of what we are doing, of what we have been trying to build since July 8, in the midst of many difficulties. The project is going in the right direction.”
A different team compared to the one we saw against Legnago?
“I think that for 70 minutes against Legnago we were ahead and in control, then the incidents changed it. Today going ahead from the start was, so to speak, a little easier.”
On the ‘Serie C’ attitude…
“We knew we needed some time. On July 8, I told the lads that the less time we took to understand the league, the better off we would be. Today it’s a small brick but already on Wednesday and then Sunday two difficult challenges arrive.”
Best performance of the season, at least in the league?
“Against Torres and Lucchese, we had good matches. Obviously if we look at the result, yes. The full loot then erases certain mistakes that we still make.”
On Kevin Zeroli…
“I’m happy with everyone, I never like to name one. Kevin is our captain, an asset to the club, a player I talk to every day because I want him to grow quickly, to become a man and an important player for the first team. This is an objective for him and for all the others.”
On the half-time talk…
“I thought about continuing with the intensity because in the last 15 minutes of the first half, we had dropped off and that was not what I wanted. I told them that on our own merits, we had a big advantage but that we had to finish the job. The boys did well to do that.”
On Perugia…
“It’s always nice to return to Perugia, a place with great tradition: I’m happy to have come here with Milan Futuro.”
On the cards on the Milan bench…
“I was booked for protesting. It’s part of the game: then I apologised to the referee, I got caught. In fact, I pay a lot of attention to the behaviour of my players, I try to give them education towards their opponents.”
On the similarities with last year’s Juve Next Gen in Group B and the potential of Milan Futuro…
“I don’t know where we can get to, time will tell. The mental step, the base, must be the same as today: the league requires it. I went to see matches from all three groups: I saw great intensity and technique. Group B is probably the most technical, with many teams that have a history behind them. We certainly can’t move away from the level of intensity shown on the pitch today.”
On Camarda’s Champions League debut and his media management…
“I think Francesco is an asset to Italian football and Milan. I’m lucky enough to give him some advice but I think he has broad shoulders and a good head: he’s a good guy from a good family, he doesn’t need too much advice. Always one of the first to arrive, he trains very well, he gets angry if he doesn’t score in training.
“He’s already mentalized for big-league football, we just have to avoid causing damage (laughs.). I think he’ll have an important future. I’m half happy, like him, because the goal was disallowed but he’ll get great satisfaction.”
Thanks to the win, the Futuro now have 9 points and sit in 16th place with a game in hand. Pineto are up next at home on Wednesday as a mid-week clash has been scheduled by Serie C.