Yunus Musah has done well since arriving at AC Milan in the summer and the midfielder himself is happy with the start. In an interview, he spoke about the first months at the club and his relationship with Christian Pulisic.
Milan were linked with the youngster for a long time during the summer and eventually reached an agreement with Valencia at around €18m plus bonuses. So far, he has lived up to that price tag, among other things assisting the winner against Genoa.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Musah shared his thoughts on his first months at Milan, his relationship with Christian Pulisic and his first impressions of Stefano Pioli. The midfielder is clearly happy with the move.
How much did it help you to have a compatriot at Milan like Pulisic who you now naturally find in the national team?
“A lot, and not only on the pitch. Christian is a special player, with great quality and it’s truly a privilege to be able to have him in the same club team. We are also developing a special relationship off the pitch and this is an important thing.”
How do you judge your start to the season with the Rossoneri shirt?
“I’m really happy. I entered this group on tiptoe, knowing I had to be patient in order to have my opportunities, but instead everything happened faster than expected and suddenly I found myself having an impact on the team and even playing as a starter. I have played in different roles and I immediately felt the trust of my teammates and the coach, I really couldn’t ask for more. Being able to make your contribution and above all win at Milan is really nice.”
What were the goals you set for yourself in your first season?
“Naturally, we all dream of playing all the time and scoring a lot, but I just tried to have patience to be ready if my opportunity came and it did. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d start as many times as I have up until now. Now I just want to try to work hard to continue at this pace.”
What type of relationship have you established with Stefano Pioli?
“The coach is helping me a lot, adapting to new roles in a different system is not easy but without a doubt, coach Pioli is having a great impact on my growth as a player. I’m really happy to have him as a coach.”
What emotions do you carry with you from the Genoa game?
“I think it was the craziest match I’ve ever taken part in. Winning it was amazing, especially considering the incredible ending. When the red card was handed to Maignan and Giroud went on goal, I put myself in the wall and thought that if Genoa had scored it would have been terrible after the excellent match we had played. Then in the end, however, Olivier also made some great saves and a beautiful victory arrived. Moments like these really make you fall in love with football.”
Milan will face Juventus after the break and Musah could play from start, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek getting a few more days of recovery ahead of the PSG clash. Right now, however, he’s focused on international duty with the States.
What, Musah thought he would have to wait his turn but here he is starting before he expected to? I thought you idiots all said that Pioli plays favorites and never looks at how players are performing in training.
Oh well, I guess you “experts” were dead wrong yet again.
What??? It went exactly how most sensible people on this site thought it would go. He came relatively later in the transfer window than the others and didn’t have a proper preseason with us. Then we all knew Pioli wasn’t going to risk him against the big teams like Roma and Inter who were early on in the schedule. AND he wasn’t going to play in the early games as those in preseason were ahead of him, most of us incl me said he was going to only get time AFTER the Inter game when the smaller teams come….and that’s EXACTLY what happened. He only got his first start vs Hellas. Plus injuries to other players helped him get playing time earlier than expected.
I’m no expert but I was dead right! Lol 😂
Now that he’s getting time let’s hope he makes the most of it.
no need for hope…he hadnt had a chance to play a full 90 until the last two games, he will be much more match-fit going forward.
Man I love seeing him play but the height thing bothers me. A few more inches and man he’d be a monster. Wonder if he can borrow some of Messi’s hormone formula 😂
sorry meant to reply here
So you don’t rate Pulisic? Height can be useful but comes with consequences too, what is the concern?
i wouldn’t want to see him lose his handles…or acceleration
I rate Puli (I used to watch THAT Dortmund team, they were so fun), it’s just his injury record that always make me worry. For attackers yes the height is not a problem especially where Puli plays and he needs to turn quickly etc. But Musah is combative and needs to challenge the taller players in midfield so that’s where I think he’s at a disadvantage. Otherwise though I like what he brings.