Junior Messias has joined the group of AC Milan players to deny that there was ever any rift or disagreement in the dressing room during the January crisis.
After the win against Salernitana to open the year Milan went on a dreadful run of form that started with the collapse at home to Roma when 2-0 after 86 minutes became 2-2 at full-time. The Rossoneri got hit for three by Inter in the Supercoppa, four by Lazio in the league and then five by struggling Sassuolo not long after.
That of course gave rise to the rumours that things were not all rosy in the Milan camp and that there were differences in opinion regarding how the team could climb out of the hole that they were in, though they were always denied by players and staff.
Messias spoke to Milan TV as part of last night’s event for the 20th anniversary of Fondazione Milan and he was asked about the work of the charity among a number of topics to do with the current season, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On Fondazione Milan: “It’s a pleasure to be part of it. It’s an important and very big project, there are many people who need help and Milan are doing it.”
On the goal against Monza: “It was a goal that helped to get the third win in a row. It was also important not to concede a goal. In the last few games we defended well, we took a step forward on this. Now we have to keep our humility and play as we always have.”
On the difficult moment: “We’ve always been there, we’ve worked as usual. It’s a period that none of us understood, on the outside they were talking about problems in the dressing room, but they never happened, we’re a united group.
“Unfortunately such a period happened. There’s one thing that surprised me, that is the Milan fans who have always supported us. It’s something I’ve never seen in football, it made me really happy. I don’t know if in other parts the fans do that. We have to thank them.”
On the next matches: “We have to keep working, every match is important. Victories bring enthusiasm, but we have to be careful because difficult moments come without you realising it. We have to work and play our football.”
On his new wing-back role on the pitch: “I’ve always sacrificed myself for the team, little has changed for me.”
On Atalanta: “It’s a difficult match like all others. We had difficulties even with some smaller clubs. Atalanta are strong, they play well, we have to defend ourselves well. Then we have to improve in many aspects to return to being the team of the year last year and the beginning of this season.”
