Samuele Ricci made a winning start to life as an AC Milan player, starting and impressing in the 2-0 win over Bari on Sunday night.
Over 71,000 fans turned out at San Siro for the Coppa Italia round of 32 clash, and they saw a dominant performance that should have yielded more goals in truth, but for some wasteful finishing and heroic goalkeeping.
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Rafael Leao was the man who took the acclaim of scoring the first goal of the new campaign, heading in from a Fikayo Tomori cross. Christian Pulisic then got the second goal early in the second half, linking up nicely with Santiago Gimenez and finishing inside the box.
‘I feel very comfortable’
Ricci spoke to Mediaset after the game to give his thoughts on what was a San Siro curtain-raiser not just for the season but also his career as a Milan player. MilanNews transcribed his comments.
Good start, you moved well…
“We played a good game, there are some things we need to improve. We had a lot of chances, we could have been more clinical. We managed the ball well, in a period like this it’s better to keep the ball more and let the opponents run more. It went well.”
How much does this revolution inspire you? Do you believe in the second star?
“We’re aiming high, we’re aiming to do our best. A great group has been created thanks to those who were already at Milan. I feel very comfortable with the team, the coach, and the lads.
“I found them to be wonderful, highly professional, and available. I want to thank the fans for today; that’s not a given on such a summer date.”
I like how he is playing so far. However I think he could learn a lot from Modric in making the game more dangerous. Sometimes he chooses the safe option, while a more direct, forward pass could have been better
Ricci looks good! Much more tactically disciplined than Reijnders.
“tactically disciplined” or defensively inclined? They play two completely different positions. LOL!!!
For me, Ricci is our best buy this season, and, I think Ibra and co. deserve a lot of credit for making a move fast. He blends so well with the others, that one would think that he’s been here for years. He reminds me of Pirlo.
You are right
I must say I was quite doubtful when we signed him. But with just 1 pre season match, I was pleasantly surprised. It looks like the boy been here for many seasons. How he holds the ball, distributes the ball, holding the line, just a joy to watch. Relly curious to see if he can play together with Jashari. As they both pretty much have the same character.
I think he’ll be our best signing of the season. Considering we don’t pay that much for him as well.
I think Jashari is much more comfortable carrying the ball and making runs into the box than Ricci.
Two different positions. Jashari is box-to-box. Ricci a 6.