Davide Calabria has admitted that being a Milan player is ‘demanding’, and lifted the lid on what it is like to play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
It has not been the easiest of seasons for the right-back, who has struggled due to a combination of suspensions and poor form.
Calabria – along with basketball player Danilo Gallinari – took part in the special “A chat with…” on the official website of the Rossoneri, and his comments were transcribed by MilanNews.
On the current environment at the club: “It is a demanding place. There is little time, everyone wants everything immediately.
“Ibrahimovic, who is a veteran, a leader with a lot of experience, helps us a lot. Seeing that at 38 he still has so much desire all you can do is improve.
“Ibra always tries to keep his character but inside the locker room he makes people laugh, always jokes and we have fun. He always wants to do well and demands the best from everyone. At his age he could have already stopped a few years ago, instead he is still here. He runs like a man possessed to try to always win, so for us young players it is an inspiration.”
On away games: “We leave the day before the game and stay in the hotel, we cannot dine out or do anything else. I’m sorry that there is no time to visit the beautiful cities where we travel.”
On the most commonly used language in the locker room: “We always try to keep Italian, the coach demands it. We have many Spaniards in the team who speak their language among them, but the coach asks them to speak in Italian. When players arrive of course we speak in English, we adapt in short.”
On Cristiano Ronaldo and the most physically dominant players he has encountered: “I would not say Ronaldo, but rather Franck (Kessie). He is really absurd. He does little gym but has a crazy physique. You cannot move him. You can also take a run-up of fifty meters before he sets off, but in the end he overtakes you anyway.”
