Franck Kessie has rarely missed a game for Milan since he arrived from Atalanta back in 2017, thanks to his fantastic stamina. But he doesn’t just work hard, he also adds quality to the Rossoneri side.
Ahead of the derby tomorrow, the Ivorian was rested in the mid-week clash against Red Star Belgrade which ended 2-2. He will be back tomorrow, though, and his partner will be Sandro Tonali as Ismael Bennacer has picked up a new injury.
In a long interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, as cited by MilanNews, Kessie spoke about the big game and what to expect. He also talked about his adventure at Milan thus far, as well as the boost that Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives.
“Milan signed me, a sign that they saw something in me. But playing for Milan isn’t easy, and then a new coach arrived who asked for things that needed to be understood with time, and it wasn’t just me.
“When a different manager arrives, it means that the moment is complicated. All the more reason we need to pay a lot of attention. If I like the new role? When we win, yes. We work to move forward and I do all the days to become a better midfielder.”
Which player would you take out of Inter?
“Nobody. If we win with the complete teams, it’s better and it’s better for the show. All the players will be decisive.”
On the Scudetto race…
“There are still many games to go and it seems that there are many difficulties, but we will win the derby and return to the top of the table. We are a group that has grown through difficulties, we work hard and believe in the Scudetto. In Italy, everyone knows by now, you can win against the first and lose to the last in the standings.”
On Ibrahimovic and penalty duty…
“From a technical point of view he’s unsurpassed and as a teammate, he always gives you something more. He always puts his face into it, it doesn’t happen often to find champions with this personality. Penalty on Sunday? He will take it and he will be happy with the result.”
Inevitably, he was also asked about his nickname within the squad, which is ‘Il Presidente’. Up until now, we haven’t had a proper explanation for it but Kessie revealed that it had to do with the CEO Ivan Gazidis.
“Once I arrived at Milanello and parked in Gazidis’ place. They told me that I couldn’t and I replied ‘is there a problem?, I’m the new CEO of Milan’. I like jokes. Of course, I know I’m not the president,” he concluded.
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Sure we are winning this derby by 2goals +……and going up to the top of Seria A table…..up Milan.