Lorenzo Colombo has spoken out about his permanent exit from AC Milan and what the future holds for him at his ‘new’ club Genoa.
Milan have been an important part of Colombo’s professional life. The striker spent nine years in the youth system, then a season and a half in senior football. Six seasons on loan around Italy followed, without ever finding a true ‘home’ until Genoa came along.
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The next match against Massimiliano Allegri’s team – for which a sold out Marassi is expected – will officially be the first time as a former Rossoneri player for Colombo, who has now become permanent property of the Rossoblu.
All the necessary conditions have materialised for the Grifone’s obligation to buy to be triggered, with the club now paying €10m to Milan. In order: five goals (he’s on seven, a personal best), 22 appearances (he’s on 35) and Serie A survival (secured). He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
From Fiorentina to Fiorentina. Everything has changed from the first meeting, where you broke the deadlock on De Rossi’s debut as coach, to the one four days ago where you played for the first time knowing you’ll be a permanent Genoa player…
“I haven’t stayed anywhere for more than a season. I had the idea of putting down roots at this club, it feels a bit like home. For its history, for the passion this club exudes, and for what it represents.
“In the first leg, we had to demonstrate our desire to emerge from a dark period, this time we’ve laid the foundations for our future.”
That match at Marassi was incredible: the penalty we caused, then the spot kick saved by De Gea, then the acrobatic goal from the ground to make it 2-2, in the first match with two strikers on the pitch. Was that the key, or De Rossi’s arrival on the bench?
“When things aren’t going well, you try a few things. We certainly owe the coach a lot, both in terms of character and tactics, but we also have to take some of the credit ourselves.
“I think the mental aspect is the most important. If you don’t turn your head, you don’t do anything. In fact, sometimes your thoughts take you where they shouldn’t.
“A very important person told me that you should always embrace the positive aspects of life. I think it’s an apt metaphor. A bit like the phoenix rising from its own ashes…”
When did you realise the worst was behind you?
“There were several signs. Our first league win against Verona at the end of November was the first building block of a rebirth that was completed when we built a thousand more.”
The coach, an icon of Roman culture, has created a total chemistry with the Genoa fans, supported by the club. Are you surprised?
“Everyone expected it. Few would have believed it, but those of us who see him every day can confirm that he’s truly passionate.
“He and us players have a great connection, because he retired a few years ago and still feels like one of the group. He often jokes with us, enjoys being in the dressing room, and teases us.”
What has he given you?
“He’s a great motivator, you see it in his pre-match speeches.”
He sees Atalanta and Bologna as models for growth. Can you raise the bar too?
“It’s our desire and it must become a collective thought for everyone at the club; we mustn’t settle or be mediocre. Even though we’ve already saved ourselves, we need to find new motivation in these final matches.
“We must acquire the mentality that great champions and great teams possess. Always at our best; that makes the difference.”
You grew up with AC Milan and played at San Siro, but during the Covid era, without fans. Is the Ferraris really your strength?
“Absolutely, and I’m certainly not the first to say so. The fans seem to come onto the pitch; I assure you, it’s a tough atmosphere for an opponent.”
Why were he compared to Batistuta in the AC Milan youth team?
“I had incredibly long hair, even longer than today, and I didn’t have a headband. Plus, I kicked hard for a small player, and that’s where the comparison came from. But my true role model is Ibrahimovic.
“I had him as a team-mate at Milan, and it was hard to explain. Having him by your side every day teaches you something you can’t explain in words: that’s when I understood the champion he was.
“And here we come to the mental aspect of achieving something more: you can do that thanks to players like him, as well as the work Pioli did during those years.”
Which coaches have helped you the most in your career?
“Baroni at Lecce: he took me to Serie A as a gamble, helping me establish a central striker role. I wasn’t one, I was often outside the box. Then D’Aversa at Empoli: last year we developed a special relationship, he was like a father. A great person, as well as an excellent coach.”
In attack, with Vitinha, Ekuban, and Ekhator, you have a wide variety of options…
“Not only that, we’ve also learned that it’s not who plays that matters, but what you do when your moment comes. We’re in great harmony. We’ve scored a lot by switching games with substitutes.”
Scored more this season in a relegation threatened side than Nkunku, Fulkrug and Gimenez, only 1 behind Pulisic and 2 behind Leao…..says it all really, would rather we kept Colombo than any of the donkeys we have now, good luck Lorenzo, if you were foreign you would get all the love and support and opportunities, sad to lose u
the fate of being pure capital gain