Manchester United Diogo Dalot has praised Stefano Pioli and Rafael Leao while reflecting on the time that he spent on loan at AC Milan back in 2020-21.
Dalot joined the Rossoneri on a season-long dry loan as the then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted the Portuguese full-back to go out and get more consistent playing time in order to help him develop, having moved to United from Porto.
The defender played both as a right-back and a left-back in his time with the club and although he struggled to carve out much game time at first. Yet, by the end of the season he was considered a dependable and reliable player.
There were even reports suggesting that Milan wanted to look into bringing him back either on another loan or a more permanent basis, but he has since remained at Old Trafford.
Dalot spoke on ‘Cronache di Spogliatoio’ about the stint he had with the Rossoneri are what he learned from playing in a league like Serie A. PianetaMilan relayed his comments.
How has your season at Manchester United been?
“I am happy with this season in Manchester on a personal level. Of course, as a team we could have done better and we cannot be satisfied. I have many quality team-mates and it is a pleasure to play together with them.
“From Rashford to Antony or Bruno Fernandes and in the Premier League there are many difficult opponents to face, especially among the wingers. You play against the best in the world, but above all against the best wingers: I’m thinking of Grealish or Doku, Saka, Martinelli.
“There are many who dribble and go very fast. I didn’t have the opportunity to be very close to Haaland because he’s in the center and I’m on the wing, but when he moves off-centre and comes to your area it’s a really good challenge because he’s strong, tall and quick.”
What was your time at Milan like?
“Playing in Serie A was very nice, my football knowledge increased, and also that of the game. In Italy coaches are more important than players, they have a strong impact on matches. For example, if Pioli wants to beat Inzaghi he implements a strategy based on how the opponent plays.
“He explains A, B, and C mainly based on the opponent. While in the Premier League the players are more decisive and the coaches have a plan regardless of who they are facing.
“And then the matches are different, in Serie A it is more difficult to see comebacks or incredible comebacks, the teams are more compact towards the end of the match.”
And working with Pioli?
“A pleasure to work with him, a good manager and above all human. His relationship with the players is top, no one disconnects with him, not even those who play. I have only good things to say about him.
“I remember one time when I had trained very well all week, but when we got to the match he put me on the bench. In front of everyone in the dressing room he used me as an example, talking about my attitude.
“It’s not easy to admit a choice like that for a coach, but if you have a good relationship with everyone, even with those who don’t play, you can afford it.”
And Rafael Leao?
“I’ve known him since the youth team, when we faced each other in Portugal. I’m happy with his growth, he’s a really good person. He has a thousand interests: he sings, he follows fashion. And then he has an infinite passion for football.
“When I think of him, his smile comes to mind. He is a guy who gives a positive atmosphere in a dressing room: I remember once when it snowed in Milanello and he started a snowball fight. He is a very good friend: there wasn’t a single day in which he didn’t make me laugh.”
Imagine if we kept him and he was our RB starter.
This was the guy we should have gotten. Relieves both the right back and left back positions. And made considerable improvements in his game. No fuss either. Wish we had a buy option but the idea was correct