AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni has admitted that he is nervous about the upcoming second leg in the Champions League against Spurs, and also spoke about the club’s resurgence.
Scaroni was on the red carpet tonight ahead of the 20th anniversary charity event for the Milan Fondazione and he spoke to the reporters that were present, starting with his thoughts on the foundation.
“It’s a beautiful thing that I inherited, I think Galliani created it and we owe him this as well as everything else. We have done many things in all these years, helping people and situations in Italy and abroad and we intend to continue to do so,” he said (via MilanNews).
Milan’s path in recent years has been a positive one with the team continuing to grow on the field thanks to a talented young core but also recovering off the field too in terms of the accounts, but is the rebirth complete?
“I speak as a fan: it seems to me that we have another step. Football is unpredictable. World Cup final: France did not exist for 70 minutes; in football there is an alchemy that is created so that great things can be done and even difficult moments, that you have to wait for them to pass,” Scaroni said.
How exactly did Milan rise again after years where they seemed to be drifting along without much of a sense of direction?
“Ask Maldini and Pioli these questions… We were serene. Milan is a serene and calm environment. I always talk about the Milan style: we never talk about the referees, we never get angry, then there are things that go around right side or wrong side… We keep calm.”
Last weekend marked a peculiar night as Silvio Berlusconi and Adriani Galliani – who were at the helm of Milan for over 30 years – welcome the Rossoneri as an opponent at the U-Power Stadium as Stefano Pioli’s men beat Monza 1-0.
“Did I speak with Berlusconi? No, but I’ve heard and seen Galliani. I take lessons from Adriano on football matters. When he speaks in the Lega, everyone pays attention because he’s wise and knows.”
Milan will take a first leg advantage to London on March 8 for the return game of the Champions League last 16 tie, but Scaroni is not necessarily feeling confident nor pessimistics.
“I like that there were three victorious Italian sides in the Champions League a lot. I’m rooting for the Italians in Europe. I don’t make Italian spites. We need Italian football to return to the fore in Europe, starting with Milan… I wonder whether to go or not in London, because I’m a little nervous!”
