AC Milan striker Luka Jovic has revealed that he supported the club growing up, and that head coach Stefano Pioli has stressed how much belief he has in him.
Jovic was finally presented in front of the media today after he was expected to speak in front of reporters at Milanello last week in view of the derby against Inter on Saturday evening, but it was postponed.
Various sources stated that the reason for the delay was because the Serbian-to-Italian translator that was going to be used could no longer make it, but on Thursday afternoon we got to hear Jović’s first words as a Milan player.
After making his debut in the closing stages against Inter there are suggestions he could start either against Verona or Cagliari in the next two league games, and he spoke to the journalists present at Milanello with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Did you believe all summer that you might end up at Milan?
“It is a great honor and a great satisfaction to play for such a great club, I will do everything to achieve the objectives. There were contacts at the beginning of the summer, then the situation developed differently. My wish was to come here. I was waiting Milan, I rejected all the other offers.”
The flirtation, however, began years ago…
“Yes, there were contacts years ago. Maldini contacted me three years ago when I was at Real Madrid, but things didn’t work out. But now I’m here.”
What can you learn from Giroud?
“Giroud is a great player, he is the top scorer in France’s history and he has played for big clubs, always having great success. I am sure that every day I will be able to learn something from him and I will work hard to do so, in order to replace him when necessary in the way best possible.”
Did Rebic tell you anything?
“I was with Ante in Frankfurt. We spoke when I arrived here, he wished me good luck and told me some very nice things.”
What happened on the last day of the window?
“I was ready to stay at Fiorentina too, but I waited for Milan to arrive. I’m very happy.”
Is this your last chance?
“This is a big step forward for me from Fiorentina to Milan, it’s a higher level. At Real things didn’t go in the best way, but now I’m part of one of the best clubs in the world. I hope to get lucky and get back to my old levels.”
Why did you only perform in Frankfurt?
“If I knew this secret I would score more today too. Everything that year went according to plan… Hutter gave me a lot, the team gave me a lot. I hope to do the same with Pioli.”
Are you ready to start playing?
“I need some time, but I don’t know how much time I have available. I’m not 100% physically, so I will have to work very hard to be ready for the matches. I started working following a particular program, I do some things more than the rest of the team, others less.”
What did Pioli tell you?
“He told me that he believes in me, I have to listen to him. He told me that I’m sure we will have an excellent collaboration. It’s a great pleasure to work with him, I was welcomed very well.”
What didn’t work in your career?
“I wouldn’t want to say that something didn’t work… Last year I didn’t score many goals, but I didn’t play for three years and I expected a season with ups and downs. 13-14 goals and 5-6 assists: that’s a good performance for someone who hasn’t played for three years. I will try to improve these numbers.”
What does the Milan shirt mean to you?
“As a child I was a Milan fan. My father and my friends were Milan fans, it’s a dream come true. I hope to give my contribution.”
Your father’s name is Milan…
“My dad and my mother sacrificed themselves for me, they did everything so that I could be here today. As a child I trained with him. I believe he is happy like me. Every day we talk and I says ‘Son, work. You are where you need to be’.”
Can you handle the pressure?
“Absolutely yes. In football there is pressure, things change quickly from game to game. At Milan you always have to fight with the pressure. I think I won’t have any problems.”
Should have not revealed it. There is a rumour that Milan don’t sign Milan fan. 🤣
Was calabria one of them?
Good thing that we don’t have to sign Davide to begin with.
Even though I think he was over as a player before he even begun I wish him to prove me wrong.
I think the fact that this guy has had three kids by two different women and at age 25 has not married either one says a lot about what happened to his career.
Off-field distractions maybe?
Not exactly Mason Greenwood level, but really, when you’re that young and your career has only started, maybe focusing on improving your skills and physical conditioning and what you are there for – scoring goals – should be your top priority.