Saelemaekers delighted with attacking impact sub role after usual ‘more defensive’ responsibilities

By Oliver Fisher -

AC Milan winger Alexis Saelemaekers believes the team could fight for the title and thanked head coach Stefano Pioli for his trust.

Just before the hour mark of the match against Venezia tonight Pioli decided to change things up to try and inject some life into the game. Ballo-Toure, Florenzi and Gabbia were the ones who made way for Theo Hernandez, Alexis Saelemaekers and Fikayo Tomori respectively.

Saelemaekers was one of the players introduced and he certainly made a very positive impact, looking to take defenders on and cause problems with his deliveries. In fact, a jinking run and pass released Theo to score the second and kill off the game.

The Belgian was interviewed by Sky Italia at the end of the match and offered a reflection on the game as a whole and what the team’s ambitions are for the season, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

“I tried to help the team and I succeeded, thanks also to my team-mates. We entered in good condition, we are happy,” he said.

Are you aiming for the Scudetto? “A competitive team always wants to win, we will try to do it this season. We will try to do something beautiful.”

Have you talked about it? “I think it’s a competitive team that wants to win, we don’t start by wanting to finish second or third. Then of course we take game by game and see where we arrive.”

Do you feel like a better player since you’ve been at Milan? “It is clear that the coach’s work and trust makes me grow, but also thanks to the team. We talk a lot, we are a young group and we help each other a lot. It is important to grow.”

On his role and his tasks: “I have more defensive characteristics than Leao and Rebic, so Pioli makes me play with a more defensive role but also makes me attack, and this is important because I like to do both phases.”


RATINGS: AC Milan 2-0 Venezia – Duo shines off the bench; Bennacer key

Tags AC Milan Alexis Saelemaekers Milan Venezia

3 Comments

  1. TIL that Saelemaekers can actually attack! Pioli prbably should give the guy a bit more freedom whenever he sees fit, he was immense today.

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