Daniel Maldini believes that Monza is the ‘perfect’ club for him to keep developing, but he admitted that his burning desire is to return to AC Milan and establish himself in the first team.
The decision was taken during the summer transfer window to send Maldini on loan to Empoli, but then it became apparent that it would be cut short in January given it had not been a positive spell for the youngster.
The Azzurri were sat 19th in Serie A at the time of the termination, with only three wins all season. Above all, though, Maldini has not featured nearly enough, playing seven games and starting just three times.
Thus, the decision was made that Maldini would be loaned to Monza for the rest of the season, a club that the Rossoneri have a close relationship with given Lorenzo Colombo is there too. He has made one appearance so far.
Maldini will face his parent club tonight during the game between Monza and Milan at the U-Power Stadium and he gave an interview to Corriere della Sera which was released today, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan.
Tonight you face Milan as an opponent…
“Facing Milan will always be a special emotion, it can never be a match like the others. My dream has never changed: to return to Milanello one day, as a protagonist.”
Will your family be there to watch?
“Nowadays there are fewer and fewer of us from Milan (laughs). My Mum will come, she’s always there. Even my brother Christian, he is my shadow. My dad, on the other hand, I don’t think so: he was only at the U-Power for my first match, with Inter.”
How did the move to Monza come about?
“It had been talked about for some time. The interviews were very quick: at 2pm they offered me the opportunity, at 6pm I was already in Milan. As soon as I felt Adriano Galliani ‘s desire to bet on me, I felt at home. Then in Empoli I had a complicated situation, so it was simple to opt for this solution.”
Did you ask your family for advice?
“Yes, mother Adriana was enthusiastic because I would return to live in Milan. But the final decision was mine.”
What kind of an environment did you expect to find in Monza?
“The presence of Galliani facilitated the operation but it was not the only element. I believed that also from a technical and growth point of view it would have been the best decision.”
Do you speak to your father Paolo for advice?
“Like any child with a parent. He gives me his opinion both on football and on life.”
Is there added responsibilities having had a grandfather and father who were great players?
“I’ve never been anxious about proving my worth, if that’s what you mean.”
What are your childhood memories of Milan?
“I see myself as a child at the Vismara training center. Or at the stadium to see dad. I have confused images of the final in Athens in 2007, I was six years old.”
Have any of Paolo’s former team-mates become like uncles to you?
“Angelo Carbone and Ibrahim Ba have been frequenting our house for years.”
Was there any embarrassment having your dad as a director while you were playing at Milan?
“No, there was a beautiful group, many young people. None of my former teammates made me feel uncomfortable.”
Do you still speak to your ex team-mates at Milan?
“I saw Rafael Leão, Theo Hernández and Olivier Giroud a few days ago and I often hear from the Italians.”
Does Paolo speak to you after mistakes during a game?
“Yes, it happened to me, but not recently… when I was little and we were in the car heading home.”
Are Milan in the running for the Scudetto?
“They are traveling at a good pace, but Inter are going even faster. Tonight it will be nice to see everyone again, even if we already met last month in Empoli.”
Who is helping you settle at Monza?
“Lorenzo Colombo, who I knew from my time at Milan, and Dany Mota Carvalho. There’s a nice group of young guys. The environment is perfect.”
What are your aims at Monza?
“Give a hand to the team to climb as high as possible in the standings.”
Your desire is to return to Milan and stay…
“It would be the best. I have to feel good and play here, then we’ll see at the end of the season. I’ve not heard from Stefano Pioli in recent months, we said hello in Empoli last month.”
You’ve scored goals in the past against Milan and Inter…
“I don’t know why I lash out against the big teams. It’s a coincidence, it just happened. Of course, I’d like to repeat myself.”
Does your dad miss football?
“Who knows, maybe a little. Now he’s on holiday and he’s fine.”
Is there a possibility Paolo Maldini returns to Milan?
“I don’t know.”
Is he disappointed about how things ended?
“These things happen. At work it happens that relationships end. But don’t make me say anything else.”
Daniel Maldini is a mediocre player. He was at Milan because of his last name; not because of his (lack of) footballing skills. He doesn’t have what it takes to be a Milan starter, period. Oh he is young and will develop? I don’t think so. Where there is no talent, there is no development.
I sense a bit of bitterness in your message…
anything with Maldini in it is anti-Milan nowdays
You are right, everything has changed just in days after last season. Never ever see such a hate on any club legend.
Maybe its the money(internet bots) which is working than loyalty.
Daniel has become Maldini when he is born doesn’t mean he should play football same level as Paulo.
He will do whatever he can do, that’s all.
People just cry even its useless on young kid.
Doesn’t change the fact that this Maldini was never going to follow his father’s footsteps as he doesn’t have the skills. The talents isn’t there. Not the star his father & grandad were.
And who has proven to be better than Daniele Maldini ? Luftos cheek? Reinders ? pulisic? Chekuweze ? Okafor ?
These are mediocre players, one game they shine and they sleep the next 5.
I believe the club needs to stick to their academy graduates and they need a chance to prove themselves. Many players were given enough time to prove such as Leao, Tonali, Diaz, and Bin Nacer. And they proved they deserve to be starters. Look at Gabbia recently, he is a beast.
Guys, please remember one thing, legends make the club. Paolo made me love Milan. We as fans, follow the club because we like certain legends. Look at Barcelona and Real Madrid after Messi and Ronaldo left the clubs. Not as many followers for sure as they used to be.