AC Milan forward Brahim Diaz has spoken about the thrill of playing for the club on Champions League nights in view of Wednesday’s game against Napoli.
The Rossoneri have been on an impressive run in Europe having made it to the final eight of the competition, and the draw in Nyon pitted them against a team they know well in Napoli having just beaten them in the league.
However, it will of course be a tough game largely because the Partenopei are the runaway Serie A leaders and are having an incredible campaign, but also because Milan have been inconsistent all season as shown by the fact they drew 0-0 with Empoli on Friday.
Interviewed by Carlo Pellegatti for Starcasinò (via MilanNews), Brahim Diaz spoke about what it means to play in the Champions League and even recalled the meeting between Milan and his old side Malaga.
On the charm of the Champions League: “When I was little it was incredible to watch a Champions League match. Now I can play it. And doing it in a historic club like Milan is very nice.”
On the anthem: “Seeing the fans shouting ‘The Champions’ gives you goosebumps. It’s incredible. It’s a thrill, playing San Siro is fantastic.”
On Malaga-Milan: “I remember that match. In the city they said ‘Milan are coming, how nice’. It was a celebration because Milan is a big and prestigious club.”
On being among the top eight in Europe: “Against Tottenham I saw people who believed. My family was also at the stadium. We don’t just play, the fans are with us.”
On whether he feels at home in the Champions League: “Yes, I play for Milan. We are all Champions League players and this is why we are among the top eight in Europe. It’s wonderful to be there together with two other Italian teams.
“The movement becomes stronger. It’s incredible. We deserved to be here: last year we won the Scudetto and this year we are among the strongest in Europe.”
On the fans at San Siro (particularly against Tottenham): “It’s an extra motivation. As I always say, the fans are the the twelfth player. It’s nice that they helped us and that they were close to us throughout the match. You have that feeling of ‘Wake up!’, which concentrates you, which motivates you. I would like to always play at San Siro, but it’s not possible (laughs).”
On his most important goal: “All goals are important: perhaps one I could choose is the one against Juventus, very nice. Whoever scores, scores. I just want to help the team win.”
On Napoli: “They have a strong team and they’re demonstrating it in Italy and in Europe. Technically they’re strong, but so are we. It’s important that we know each other, it’s a balanced game. A quality to put them in difficulty? There’s some, there are many. One is to have control of the ball during the match because they are not used to it.”
On his experience with the Rossoneri: “Milan have improved my characteristics. I’ve grown a lot here and I still have to grow.”
On the fact that there is no longer the away goal rule: “It’s changed. But I think it’s for the best. You have to be more attentive and more concentrated. However, the matches are similar, you always have to give 100%.”
Finally, a pick to win the Champions League: “I don’t know, we have to think match by match. In a month I’ll tell you if there’s anything I can do (smiles).”
