Alexis Saelemaekers believes that AC Milan can go all the way to the final in the Champions League, and backed Charles De Ketelaere to come good in time.
Saelemaekers is a player that Stefano Pioli continues to put his trust and faith into, as shown by the fact he seems to now be the starting right wing-back over captain Davide Calabria after the formation changed to a three-man defence.
That is just the latest role that he has played since joining from Anderlecht, having already been used as a right-back and a right winger, and even in other attacking roles when the situation dictates.
As mentioned, he seems to have settled nicely into the wing-back role – one which he played back in Belgium – as it allows his work rate and energy to be put to good use.
Saelemaekers spoke during an interview with Christophe Fraken of dhnet.be about a number of different topics, starting with his arrival at the club from Anderlecht.
“I was still a kid when I arrived and I became a man at Milan. I work every day with people who have a lot of experience and skills in their field, this makes you grow faster,” he said (via MilanNews).
How do you know when you have become a man?
“It’s a combination of things. When you play in big competitions like the Champions League, it forces you to grow very quickly. You don’t have the chance to make mistakes. At Anderlecht, I was a son of the club and they passed on some youthful sins to me. Also in my private life many things have changed. This helps me a lot in my daily life.”
Which team does your girlfriend support?
“Milan obviously, otherwise there would be a problem (laughs).”
What happened to the squad in January?
“The World Cup was a factor. We brought back players who were late in preparing and played most of the friendlies with a team far from the standards. And we lost almost every match. This gets into your head and you come back to the league with a negative outlook. But we have to get back up and play every game to the fullest. Nothing is lost this season yet.”
What are Milan’s ambitions for the Champions League?
“We have the ability to go to the final. We play for Milan and we don’t have to limit ourselves. Otherwise there is no point in playing against Tottenham. We are very ambitious and this is normal in a club as demanding as Milan.”
What went through your mind after the mistake that led to Morata’s goal in September 2021?
“I had the most difficult moment after a match. I made a small tactical error that cost us a goal. All the fans supported me. It’s not easy when 200,000 people send you hate messages on social networks.
“Staying mentally strong is not easy in a moment like this. But it shows how much they love the club. And also how much they love me, because they want the best from me. It teaches you a lesson: you don’t make the same mistake again. The fans have a responsibility in this learning process.”
How do you deal with the criticism that comes your way?
“Some people get help, but I have internalised a lot. I tried to show that it didn’t affect me, even if it happened. It affected me, but we must try to forget as soon as possible and manage emotions well.”
Does golf help a lot?
“Yes, it’s true. It’s a sport that calms me down. When you get on the field, you get away from all the pressure. You have to be very focused and sometimes that’s what I miss in football. It adds another string to my bow.”
Why has your compatriot De Ketelaere struggled?
“When you arrive in the team and you have a difficult moment, the fans start criticising. It happened to me too, but Charles will come out stronger. I’m not worried about him. You can see he has all the qualities for the top level He will gain confidence and make his way little by little. I am convinced that we will soon see the great Charles, the one we know in Belgium.”
Origi and Vranckx are also your team-mates…
“Yes, but I have to admit that I arrived at a time when Milan weren’t doing very well. They arrived as reigning champions, in a well-established team. It’s more difficult to fit in. When I arrived in January 2020, the team didn’t it was so good and there was obviously more space.
“But Charles, Divock and Aster will adapt to Italian football, which has its particularities. I try to help them on a daily basis. For example, I helped Charles find his apartment. But my advice the greatest is to learn Italian as soon as possible. Here everything is done in this language.
“Even in the city it is not always easy to find people who speak English. The problem is that in the locker room there is a large group of about ten people who speak French. If this had happened when I arrived, maybe I still wouldn’t speak Italian.”
On goals and assists…
“I know. I have to balance the team and I have many defensive tasks. I do a lot of running and it’s not always easy to have the energy for the last move. This lucidity is a point of work in training, even if I know the coach is happy with my contribution.”
Could you be more selfish?
“I have the mentality of always wanting to help the team. I will always make the necessary runs. I don’t care whether or not it shows up on the outfield. As long as we win and the manager likes it, I’ll keep doing it.”
What kind of a player is Giroud?
“I often watch him in training. It’s impressive to see how he keeps his calm in front of goal. We have different roles on the pitch, but I learn from him. Sometimes I make fun of him by saying that at my age he still played in the lower leagues of French football [Giroud played for Tours in Ligue 2 at the age of 23], but I have immense respect for his career.
“He always believed in himself when many doubted. And here he is, the top scorer in the history of Les Bleus. He is still too often denigrated and this saddens me. I am happy to say that he has become a true friend because he is a nice person, with a lot of humility.
“We even spent part of the holidays together. Our faith also brings us closer and we regularly talk about religion. Olivier is important to me, he helps me on a daily basis.”
On the competition with Messias…
“It’s important for the coach to have two competitive players who can give the team a boost per hour. It’s hard to accept at the beginning, but he explains why you hardly ever play the full 90 minutes. I and Messias we respect each other. He is much more reserved. He doesn’t talk much, even with the rest of the group. But in Milan we are a family and there is no tension or hatred”.
