“The history of the club and my name are an advantage in the negotiations”

Paolo Maldini spoke from the stage of the “Festival dello Sport” in Trento organized by the Gazzetta dello Sport, retracing the moments that marked his career in the Rossoneri both on and off the pitch. “The first championship as a manager is important and different from the others – has explained -. The final victory is the seal that everyone dreams of one day being able to put on their path“. “Is my name an advantage in market negotiations? It is true – he added -. But that’s because I’m attached to this club, not just because of my personal history. Milan has a story that presents itself, it doesn’t even need to be told and explained“.

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“The advantage when you contact football players is precisely be related to this clubwhich was great in the 50-60s, was great in the late 70s, was great with Berlusconi“, Maldini continued talking about the weight of his AC Milan resume to reach certain market objectives.”That’s how it went with Theo Hernandez, even if the first real purchase was Krunic – has continued -. Operation that I did alone “.” For Theo I spoke first with Real Madrid and then with him, the I spoke almost from father to son – has explained -. But I like to relate to my players like this. I try to support the boys first and then the players. “” Qhen a player is called by this club it is easier to believe what is being saidwhich, however, must be true: in this way trust is gained “, he added.

Then some more considerations on the emotions related to winning the first championship as a manager and on the way to success. “When I arrived in 2018 I still had to have an overview of what a manager must be. Since then I have had quite a bit of experience. It has been a wonderful 3 years, a project that has given great satisfaction to the club and the fans – he told -. I remember when I signed for Milan, the moments of difficulty: I felt neither ready nor adequate and Leonardo really taught me a lot, about football and about life. “” In Reggio Emilia, the party in Piazza Duomo was a unique moment“, he continued.” Winning the championship was important and very different, by not playing you do not unload the adrenaline you accumulate – he added -. You have pre-match tension but you don’t have a chance to play. You just observe and it’s a completely different job. “” The nice thing about last year’s Scudetto is that they were all protagonists: Tatarusanu with the penalty saved in the derby, my son Daniel with the goal at Spezia – said Paolo -. The whole group was involved, also thanks to the management of Mr. Pioli who is really fantastic in this “.

A ride that has deep roots according to Maldini. “I am very realistic, but I am a great dreamer – he told -. I think it is the basis of many sportsmen and many teams to dream of reaching the maximum result. It’s something I’ve learned over time and it gives confidence “.”I wasn’t sure if I could win the Scudetto, but I believed it: I know what the team is worth. This thing I said at ChristmasWe had no budget for the transfer market: Juventus took Vlahovic, Inter Gosens, so a small budget came out. I said: ‘I don’t want it, we are strong like this’. From there…”

As for the passed to the Rossoneri as a playerMaldini has many memories. “My debut at Milan? Far away, they were wonderful years. Adolescence is a fantastic age, at 16 I found myself being a man in an environment full of men – she said -. I know what I suffered, I know my insecurities, I remember the sacrifices well. If I had someone who supported me a little bit more I would have been better. The will is to support my players. ”

Then, returning to the recent, a few words on the importance of Giroud. “Giroud is a champion, full stop. He has won a World Cup, plays for the national team, is an exemplary professional – explained Maldini -. The main characteristic of a champion is that he is humble and is a “team man.”A sample comes out when it’s needed – he added -. At first he was limited by a few injuries, but then he came out. But it is the story of many players who knew that this was the occasion. Internally we knew that this was the opportunity to arrive at a dream, we felt it, we believed in it and the results have arrived “.

Results arrived thanks also to the combination Maldini-Massara. “I had an interview, I liked it so much and we left. He is my age. A different path from mine and a different vision is fundamental – explained Paolo -. He is a great football connoisseur, a great worker. He shares the fundamental principles of life, and we are practically a de facto couple, we live in symbiosis most of the week “.

Then a few jokes about Cardinal: “I told him about my origin, my life. Gerry is a person who has energy. He wants to do, listen. I like it very much. The idea that is transmitted is a kind of continuity with respect to Elliott, they took this club that it has been healed from an economic point of view and should now be able to move up towards a slightly larger target “.

As for a the Ketelaere, Maldini has no doubts. “At this point in our journey we must not take average players, but with great prospects: Charles is one of them. It’s a 2001, he showed important things in the Champions League – he specified -. We need time, I know that the fans and the newspapers don’t wait, but we have to wait “. “We know the ways to bring young people to grow. Bets are made on young people, not all are won but we have very few doubts about him“, he added.

Closing on the conditions of Ibra. “He also knows that recovery is difficult, but when Ricky and I went to him for the renewal proposal we told him that he must consider 100% a player, with the goal of returning as a protagonist for the second part of the season – explained the Rossoneri manager -. He started with this idea, he wants to come back. “” Last year, when the few times he didn’t hurt, it was a decisive Zlatan. He must be considered a 100% footballer – he continued -. Don’t worry about the future. He has a little bit of this anxiety about having to quit, but it’s normal. Over time you realize that it is more of a struggle to continue. What will it do in the future? He will do Zlatan“.

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