AC Milan began their preseason campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over third division side Novara at Milanello.
Afterwards, coach Gennaro Gattuso spoke with MilanNews.it in a post-match interview, where he addressed a numerous amount of topics.
On the re-admission into Europe: “There is a lot of satisfaction, what we have achieved on the pitch we now grasp with our hands, we will participate in the Europa League and we are very happy.”
On the team: “I did not find it easy to convince the boys to work so hard, but I really appreciated the seriousness of the boys and how they approached it. We are a team that: last year, at times, played good football, and today we tried something new at the end of the first and second half, I’m very happy.
“I think this team can improve, and everyone knows it can, even the company (Elliott) knows we can become even more competitive if new players arrive.”
On the organisation of the club: “I do not have to talk just about myself. In the last 12 days, it was not easy, but everyone helped me a lot because of their commitment. The boys know that there is no need to understand what the project is at the organizational and material level, even with the previous management.
“I think that in such a historical club it is easier if you have different points of reference where you can discuss certain topics.”
On the transfer market: “We must respect the financial parameters and the rules UEFA set, but it is a fact that if we want to compete for something important we need to do something.
“The decisions are made by the ownership and I hope that as soon as possible we will talk about it. Mirabelli and Fassone are the ones I can talk to because right now they are the people who are closest.”
On Bonucci: “I’ve talked to Leo and all the players, Leo is a great professional and an incredible player. At the moment we need to listen to what the players are saying and we’ll see. There are times when you have to respect the choices of the players, If a player behaves like a great man I will never have any grudge.
“He wants to win but we also want to win. I know what we said between ourselves and the club knows what we said. Let’s wait, because he is an important player and we want to keep him at all costs.”
On Leonardo: “What is the problem? With Leonardo in the past, we have had some problems, but we have clarified ourselves, we often hear and talk about football, I think that if Leonardo comes he will be welcomed with open arms. It is of great availability and professionalism for anyone who will arrive, if someone arrives.”
On Morata: “Talk to Mirabelli and Fassone I can only say that I like all good players, if we do something, it must be something important, because otherwise, we are just a good team. To improve the team we have to do something that gives us advantages.”
On the satisfaction of being the only one to be named in the statement by Elliott: “I am very proud to coach Milan, I have to show all my value, Elliott is a company I do not know, I will be judged when the Serie A starts and I’m going to go all in.
“Right now I just think about doing well and then we’ll see … It fills me with pride that Elliott has expressed appreciation and this makes me work with more tranquility.”
On the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo: “Certainly for the Italian football system it is an extraordinary arrival and I hope that there will still be many, because I think that our league can only improve.”
On Calhanoglu: “He’s good, he’s worked hard and when you work hard there is a problem of blisters. Today he was limping because of that.”
