AC Milan won their 19th Scudetto this evening thanks to an excellent 3-0 win against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
Milan went into their game against the Neroverdi at the Mapei Stadium knowing that if they avoided defeat they would be crowned Champions of Italy, and they couldn’t have done so in a more emphatic manner as Olivier Giroud bagged a brace and Franck Kessie scored to make it 3-0 before half-time.
In the end, Milan won 26 of their 38 games this season with 8 draws and 4 losses throughout the entire campaign. The team scored 69 goals and only let 31 in, including 9 clean sheets in 11 games to close out the season.
After the game Maldini spoke to DAZN to reflect upon what has been a quite simply incredible season and one that ended in the best possible way, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On Theo: “I’m proud. He still has a lot of room to get stronger, but the improvement he has had in these three years is incredible. Kids like him and Leao have something special inside and when they play together these things happen.”
On the league win as a director: “As a footballer it is different because you unleash a good part of your energy on the pitch. As a manager you can’t do it, the family has to put up with you at home. My career as a director is only there because Milan is there. When I stopped playing I took my time to get into this role at the right time.”
On building the team: “It’s a different responsibility from when I was a player. As a manager you always have to calculate that you have a young team you can trust. In these three years we have said many things to the players that have occurred. We had ideas that are credible.”
On the rebirth of Milan: “I would not repeat some things I said in the past, when you become a manager you understand many things. I should have been more respectful towards the people who have done so much for Milan. In life you are wrong, the important thing is to learn. Milan is a particular club, we take less time to do certain things. We have a DNA and special fans, we never give up. Balance is essential to get back on top.”
On Tonali: “He hasn’t shown everything he can do yet. He has had an incredible season, but sometimes we forget he was born in 2000. When you get to a big club it’s different.”
On the Scudetto: “Today is the kids’ and the coach’s party. We are happy too. I have recently been the director, there is still a lot to learn. We pushed the boys to give more, sometimes they just need trust. And this is what Massara and I are trying to do.”