AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali has explained how the EuroDerby in the Champions League is a summary of the path that the team has been on under Stefano Pioli.
Speaking during an interview with Prime Video (via Milan News), the Italian midfielder chose to focus on the big picture when asked about the Champions League semi-final which is coming up against Inter.
Milan face the Nerazzurri on Wednesday in the first leg and Tonali explained the overall significance of the tie for the group.
“I think it’s the summary of the path we have taken together with the coach in these three years. I thought about the derby straight away, because it was impossible not to think about it. The fans have really given us incredible strength over these years. All the seventy-five thousand people who come to the San Siro give everything for the win and you have to make your fans happy,” Tonali said.
This fixture last happened at this stage of the Champions League in 2003 and Tonali said he does not want to hear tales about it until after the tie: “My dad didn’t tell me but I don’t let him tell me until the end of the return leg. Then maybe there will be a time later this summer to see it.”
Speaking of how important Stefano Pioli is to him, Tonali explained how the coach helped him at a time when he really needed it.
“The coach is a person to whom I owe a lot, he helped me in the most difficult moment. Having a person like him is important, he makes you feel at ease and he loves you. He takes risks sometimes to make you feel good. It takes a second to decide not to redeem a player. He expressed his thoughts about me and his thoughts were heard.”
Tonali was also asked what it would be like to make the Champions League final.
“It makes a certain impression that sixteen years later we are in the semi-finals. Now that we’re here we have to give it our all. Maybe you can play this again for a kid in 20 years time. If we get to the final nothing, if you win the final maybe something will. I won’t cut my hair, another tattoo maybe but we have time to think about it,” he said.
