AC Milan winger Ante Rebic has confirmed that he is willing to play in any role in order to help the team, one which is ‘totally different’ to when he arrived.
Rebic has looked sharp again as he gradually gets more and more involved after coming back from a troublesome back injury that at one point developed into a small hernia, and his goal off the bench against Empoli plus his assist for Sandro Tonali’s winner against Hellas Verona show how decisive he can be.
Despite his impact off the bench in those games, the majority of reports claim that the Croatian will actually start in his home country on Tuesday night and not only that but he will take up a position on the right flank, something he has done only once under Stefano Pioli.
He spoke to reporters who gathered in Zagreb on the eve of the game to preview what is a crucial fixture in Milan’s last 16 hopes, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
Why do Croatian clubs struggle more than the national team?
“It’s difficult. Those with more talent go out to play in stronger leagues. We as a nation have incredible talent, despite being a low population.”
Have you said anything to your team-mates about the environment they will encounter?
“They are not stadiums like in Italy, but the pitch is top and this is important for us. There have been no particular questions.”
Rebic also spoke to Sky, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
On his emotions: “I don’t have so many emotions to play here, because I’m from the South. But it’s nice to come back to Croatia and play with my friends at Dinamo.”
On the match: “We have prepared for the match well and we know we have to win tomorrow to go through. They haven’t lost for 9 months at home and we know it will be difficult but we are ready.”
On his role on the pitch: “I can play in all positions where I can be useful: the coach will decide where I will play”
On Milan: “When I arrived at Milan it was a totally different team: we stayed in 5/6 and we have grown a lot and we are stronger.”
I’m glad Pioli will play Rebic instead of Messias! Just much higher quality — with us missing Tomori, Calabria and Diaz isn’t fit enough to start, we need higher quality play on the pitch and Rebic can bring that for us. This is obviously a must win and he is playing well lately.