AC Milan midfielder Ismael Bennacer has given a fascinating insight on what it is like to play as a Regista for the Rossoneri.
The 22-year-old arrived last summer from Empoli, putting pen-to-paper on a five year deal with Milan shortly after being named as the Player of the Tournament in the 2019 African Cup of Nations.
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After initially struggling for playing time under Marco Giampaolo – who preferred the veteran Lucas Biglia to direct his midfield – the Algeria international exploded onto the scene.
He has shown himself to be a dynamic, fearless and tenacious midfielder throughout the season and has been regarding as a bargain signing, given the reported fee is around €16m.
“I like everything about this role, because you’re at the heart of everything,” Bennacer told The Athletic.
“It’s my second year playing in Italy as a regista. I’m still working at it. I think I’m improving. I’m definitely learning a lot.I watch a lot of Marco Verratti and Thiago Alcantara too. Thiago’s so, so good.
“I have to give the ball away as little as possible. Zero. To do that, I have to be concentrated whenever I get the ball. I’ve always got to be in the zone. I have to read the game. I need to look first and look early. I do all that already but I have got to get even better at it.
“Even though I’m not playing high up the pitch, I could do to be more decisive.”
Bennacer picked up 14 yellow cards in Serie A this season, with only Roma centre-back Gianluca Mancini picking up more, but that is part and parcel of his role.
Speaking of development, Bennacer also revealed that the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped him a lot too.
“I feel a little bit freer,” he said, referring to the pressure.
“He demands perfection. Always. You can’t make mistakes when Zlatan’s around. He makes you a better player. That’s how we all think about it anyway.
“When he asks for the ball, I don’t pass it to him, otherwise he’ll have more touches than me,” Bennacer jokes.
“I’m kidding. When you’ve got a player like him on the pitch, you look to get him the ball as quickly as possible even if there’s another solution on. We’re on the same wavelength. I get the ball to him so he can then do what he wants. I look for him a lot.
On the pressure he feels, Bennacer adds: “It’s demanding but I like it. I like the crowds, the pressure.”
Finally, the youngster talked about his exit from Arsenal to join Empoli.
“I had three years left on my deal, but I wanted to play and besides, they weren’t against my sale, so I left.”
