AC Milan are preparing for a monumental clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday night, and given his time at Los Blancos, Alvaro Morata has spoken ahead of the game.
There are few clubs that demand the same level of respect in football as Milan and Madrid do. The two most successful clubs in the Champions League, and two of the biggest – if not the biggest – clubs in their own countries.
Morata, having played for both clubs, is then the perfect person to speak to ahead of the fixture. After all, he has experienced nearly everything that playing for Los Blancos offers. Two Champions Leagues, two La Ligas, a Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup. A medal cabinet that the Rossoneri will dream he can recreate in Milano.
Ahead of the clash, the Spanish striker spoke to The Athletic about the similarities between the two clubs, whilst discussing his career leading to this moment.
Do they have the same aura?
“Completely. That’s exactly what it’s like. Before coming to Milan everybody told me the air you breathe here is different. It’s enough to come and eat in the restaurant here at Milanello. You look around and see all the players who have won things for Milan. For me, Milan has always played an important in football history.”
Milan in his childhood…
“My sister gave me Kaka’s jersey as a present, I remember his goal against Manchester United [in 2007]. I remember the boots Kaka had; everything about him, Milan fought for the Champions League in that era and I remember the games.”
Can Milan, Champions League semi-finalists the season before last, get back to the competitiveness of two decades ago?
“In football, you never know, last year Borussia Dortmund weren’t doing well in the league or in general. They reached the Champions League final and who knows if the [Fullkrug] shot had gone in and not hit the post maybe Borussia are champions of Europe now. That’s the beauty of the Champions League. Every year teams that nobody expects are there or thereabouts.”
“We have to believe. We’re AC Milan and we have to aim to win everything. If you lose against a top side it’s because it is the Champions League, but we’re obliged to think we can do it. If you don’t get there, you don’t get there — but we have to think it’s possible.”
The current moment…
“I think we’re [Milan] finding more mechanisms, we’re doing things more naturally now. We’ve got a lot of new players, and a new coach. But the time to adapt is up, we have to do it right away.”
“Rafa has talent, he’s the best player on the team and just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. It’s only a phase and, often, it’s like that for attacking players. A big goal or an easy one will be enough for him to get his confidence back. It’s not easy.
“Everything Rafa does is a story, but he’s so important for us and we need him. He knows that perfectly well. He’s working hard and it’s just a phase. His time will come this season and he’ll make us win.”
The pressure of San Siro…
“It’s normal. As you say, [Chelsea, Real Madrid, Atletico, Juventus] they’re all the best teams in the world. It’s normal to have pressure playing at San Siro, playing in the Champions League, and every time you pull on a shirt like this. Every game brings responsibility. It’s more a privilege [than a burden]. Many players would give anything to play for these teams and I’ve been fortunate enough to play for lots of them at the highest level. I’m very happy about that.”
Proving people wrong…
“Yes, lots. I had to read that I wasn’t good enough to be captain, that we weren’t a good team, that it wasn’t possible to win the Euros. It wasn’t a vendetta, because at the end of the day, I don’t have to prove myself to anyone — but it was great.
“Films and documentaries are coming out [about the Euros] and the people will get to see what we did. England and France have top sides but I think we were the best because of the team spirit we have. I think we won for that reason.”
“To me, success in life isn’t winning a Euro, a World Cup, a Champions League or scoring 600 goals. The biggest success you can have is when all the people you get to spend your days with — the people you work with — get to really know you.
“You’ll never find a team-mate, a mate, or a person who I’ve spoken to and opened up with who doesn’t say I’m a good person — and that’s the most important thing to me. The hidden side to me is that I try to help everyone.
“I like making other people feel good and people will come to realise that’s why I became captain and did a good job at it, because I made the others give their best. When you don’t worry about yourself but the people around you it’s a very beautiful thing.”
Overload of football…
“There’s no time to switch off. With all the games we have, we can’t take four or five days to switch off.”
“Often, like this year, when the summer started I’d had maybe two or three free days because I was either rehabbing an injury, on international duty or playing away from home. You spend five or six hours at the training ground then do interviews, press commitments, sponsorship engagements. Lots of things. It isn’t all what it seems on social media. It’s a responsibility and you can take it well or not.”
Balance…
“I only understood it [balance] later in my career. I spent a lot of time fighting against my mind and, in the end when I couldn’t take it any more, I asked for help. You don’t have to reach the limit to ask for help and treat this problem.”
“We have to be ready to go from heaven to hell in a split second, on account of a chance, or a few centimetres. At times those centimetres can be the difference between making history and not. Imagine if Olmo wasn’t on the line at the Euros. Small details like that can change your life and your career.
“Everything can change, so you have to be ready for all situations and prepare yourself mentally.”
A return to Madrid…
“In the end I think it’ll be the same. I don’t think things have changed a lot. But I’m aware of it and I expect to be whistled and everything. It’s normal.”
At least he’s semi decent at football because wow what an idiot. Yes semi decent.