AC Milan captain Davide Calabria has insisted that the team have the right approach heading into the Supercoppa Italiana against Inter and have learned from their recent mistakes.
The Milan squad flew out to Saudi Arabia where the Supercoppa will be played straight after their 2-2 draw against Lecce on Saturday evening at the Stadio Via del Mare, a game which constituted another disappointing result after a worrying first half performance.
After a defeat against 10-man Torino in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia which followed the 2-2 draw against Roma where the Rossoneri threw away a two-goal lead inside the last few minutes, a response is needed from Stefano Pioli’s men.
Calabria spoke during an interview with SportMediaset that was released on the eve of the game in Riyadh, where Milan and Inter will play a game to win a trophy for the first time since 2011-12. His comments were relayed by MilanNews.
On the Supercoppa: “It’s an important trophy. I have good memories of when we won it in 2016, it will be nice to play this competition again. We will do everything to win it.”
On Milan’s difficult moment: “It’s a final, so it’s a game in itself. We can lift a trophy, so we’ve put all thoughts aside.”
On the match: “It’s a final, but it’s also a derby. So it will be even more exciting and important. The derby is the derby, what’s around is fascinating. Playing for a cup will be even more beautiful.”
On how the team is doing: “We talked, we looked at each other and we said that it’s a final that we have to prepare in the best possible way and give everything on the pitch. The team is ready and eager, the last few outings have been like this, but we have to be positive. We can’t wait to play.”
On Milan’s strengths: “We know them, we have to play at our own pace and never give up. We have to stay focused from the first to the last minute, we must never give up even an inch in games like this.”
On Gerry Cardinale: “I spoke to the club first, they told us his message. He always follows us, sends us video messages. He won’t be here physically, but he is always present. We hope to give him great satisfaction too.”
On the first half in Lecce: “We didn’t approach in the right way. It was a bad first half that must never be repeated.”
On Theo and Giroud: “I see them well, I’m honest. There may be some declines in such a long season, but as always they are putting great effort and great professionalism into it.”
Milan are getting poor results because they have a very average squad and because the owners refuse to invest despite obvious weaknessess and multiple injuries.