AC Milan defender Davide Calabria has spoken at length about a number of topics including the upcoming Champions League semi-final against Inter and his journey with the Rossoneri so far.
It was said during the build-up to the tie between Milan and Napoli that the battle between Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Calabria could be decisive, and in the end it proved to be but not the way many were thinking.
The Rossoneri full-back put in arguably his best two performances of the season so far after having also neutralised him earlier in the month during the 4-0 league win at the Maradona, and it helped Milan book a spot in the final four.
Calabria spoke during the ‘1 on 1’ programme for DAZN that was aired today and among the many topics touched upon were the end of the league season, being part of the final four in Europe and his own performances. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
On the Euroderby: “We really wanted this match, it will be a fascinating and beautiful match. I think we deserved it on the pitch and I can’t wait to face this match.”
On the Lecce game: “We’ve reached a point in the season where we have to understand that all the games are really important for the team and for the development of this club, because there are so few games left that we don’t have to make any more missteps.
“We have to jump right back into the league, we celebrated the victory because we deserved it and wanted it but now we have to refocus on the next matches.”
Is returning to the Champions League semi-finals a stimulus? “Absolutely. I believe that by wearing this shirt you must always have incentives and the only way to be repaid are victories, therefore the incentive is to win every match.”
On qualifying against Napoli: “The spirit of sacrifice, on the field we were really united, knowing how to suffer together, even in moments of suffering during the match, we all reacted great together.
“If someone had difficulty, someone else immediately lent him a hand. I think it was all really done down to the smallest detail in the matches, in the end I think we deserved it more.”
On the talk between the two legs: “We don’t like to talk a lot about incidents or before the game, in general. It’s not our style and we don’t get attached to these things.
“Honestly, trying to destabilise us, I don’t think is useful and is superfluous. At these levels it doesn’t matter, but what we do on the pitch every day at Milanello and the sweat we put into this shirt every day matters.”
And the fireworks? “Yes, I honestly heard them: I woke up, I laughed and went back to sleep (laughs). We only heard the fireworks.”
What did you say to your team-mates after qualifying? “I felt a sense of pride for this team because we enjoyed the sacrifice. It’s not always easy to be able to face every second of a match and instead we spent it really happy to be able to overcome the suffering of an important match like that one.
“After the match we were happy, we celebrated, sang and danced. But now comes the final part of the season which is the most important, we have goals to achieve.”
On the battles against Kvara: “Best games of my career? Yes, probably yes. I did very well and I’m satisfied with what we did in the Champions League and in the league. The match certainly excited me, I like playing against players of Kvara’s level.
“We are talking about a boy who arrived a few months ago but who is proving to be a future phenomenon and he is still the best in the league.”
Then came a video message from Ambrosini: “Dear Davide, 6 complicated days await you, indeed all of these 20 days that precede them. Great tension, for us it was a devastating period from a mental point of view: the rivalry was enormous, as it is now; the post at stake is huge, as it is now.
“Emotions on both sides will have to be managed: you will experience unique sensations and even in the stadium there will be two matches in which even the people will pass on something special to you. A piece of advice: sleep now, because in those days you will sleep little.”
Calabria’s answer: “Look, I’ve heard from those who have already spent the days leading up to these challenges. It will certainly be like this, the great champions have suffered the pressure of this game and it will certainly be like this for us too.
“It’s a sport that creates great tension and the emphasis on the outside for two teams like Milan and Inter, all the people who can’t wait to face this match, will also lead to this: getting little sleep and feeling more about this challenge.”
Can you dream? “Absolutely yes. I don’t see why I shouldn’t think so: I started playing football dreaming of lifting the Champions League, now that there are three games to go it would be silly not to dream.
“But for the simple fact that no player wants to lose, right? I’m here training every day, I struggle every day to be able to win these trophies. We are Milan, we are used to winning trophies.”
On Maignan: “There’s not much to say. He’s a phenomenon, he’s very strong from all points of view, both mentally and his presence on the pitch, what he gives us with his feet and hands on goal.
“Maybe we missed him during the difficult period, he was absent for many months and I think that with him on the pitch, without taking anything away from the others, it was an important absence: and you can tell from what he’s doing now.
“Mike is a player in another category, who can make the difference and who brings you points despite being a goalkeeper.”
On the most difficult opponent to mark: “Leao in training (laughs). When he sets off like in Naples you have to hope it’s not his day and he doesn’t get to goal but he’s really difficult to stop. Wither you’re faster than him or you have to hope that he messes up.”
The world’s strongest right-back? “Carvajal.”
The song that fires you up? “I have a techno playlist.”
Secret of a winning locker room? “Spirit of sacrifice.”
The team-mates who dresses worst? “Good question, perhaps Matteone Gabbia.”
The most beautiful stadium you’ve played in? “Not counting San Siro, Tottenham’s.”
Your idol as a child and what would you steal from him? “Maldini, the sense of calm.”