A.C. MILAN OFFICIAL
  • last year
Transcript
00:00 Hello Rossoneri, this is AC Milan Talk.
00:21 Welcome to our first weekly episode of the appointment in which we are focused on the
00:26 curiosities of our favourite team on and off the pitch. Let me say that I am so happy to
00:31 meet you and to start this new adventure obviously with you, but I'm not alone because here with
00:36 me there is Adriano Del Monte. Ciao Adriano, how are you?
00:39 Ciao, very nice to see you. I'm very well and very, very happy to be back for another
00:42 season. With us also Sheridan Bird. Ciao Sheridan,
00:46 ready for the start. Ciao Adrian, nice to meet you. Adriano, good
00:48 to see you again. You're looking well, looking healthy.
00:51 Thank you. I'm very much excited about this season.
00:56 How was your vacation guys? Mine was not as exciting as Adriano's. Adriano
01:02 has to begin I think. I had a nice summer. Well I didn't have a summer
01:05 Licia, I had a winter in Australia. I covered the Women's World Cup. I got a new hairdo
01:09 as well, but from so many fans who watch this show, especially in my home country in Australia,
01:14 I was given this. This used to be an old Milan shirt which was upcycled into a nice bag and
01:20 in the bag Sheridan, you can show one of the gifts. Show this one here.
01:24 Look at that. That's a nice jacket I was gifted.
01:27 So this is for Sheridan. Well, we'll see.
01:29 It is now. And also this one here, this is my personal
01:32 favourite. This is so beautiful.
01:34 With Zlatan there on the top. So some wonderful gifts from our magnificent fans in Australia.
01:41 Wonderful stuff and it was a very nice time. The Women's World Cup, Licia, was very exciting
01:45 in Australia as well. Presents from Australia for our AC Milan
01:49 talk fans. Absolutely. We love them and we look forward
01:53 to them enjoying the show a lot more this season because we're back and we're looking
01:57 forward to a very good season on the pitch. So we're ready to start for our first episode,
02:02 but we know very well that we are already in the heart of this new Serie A season. So
02:07 let's start with our first male team.
02:09 We could try not to think about it, but let's cut to the chase.
02:20 Is the derby match the main problem, if we can say it like this, of this weekend?
02:32 Inter Milan and it would be something very difficult for the team and for coach Pioli.
02:41 A good and a big responsibility on the pitch. Adriano, let's start with you.
02:47 It's a fascinating way for us to start the show, this season, with the Derby della Madonina
02:51 upon us. Sheridan, of course, there were many clashes between these two famous clubs last
02:57 season and it's going to be a great test because we know there are many new faces, new names
03:02 and there are new pressures which will come with the new season. Both teams have started
03:06 very well in the league, but Sheridan, I love the timing of this. Just after the international
03:11 break, the new players have had some time to settle in and now the perfect timing for
03:15 a perfect test. Yes, it's always special. The derby is always
03:18 a fantastic fixture. Both teams are flying as well. Let's say football-wise, Milan, the
03:24 city is dominating Serie A. It's only three rounds though, so there's a long way to go,
03:29 but it's a really good test. This is, if we can call it, the new Milan and it's the first
03:34 huge test. No disrespect to Bologna, Roma or Torino, the teams that Milan have faced
03:40 so far, but I think everyone will agree across the world this is the real big test after
03:46 the international break. The players are back, energised, new players, first derby for so
03:52 many of the new players. So it's got the ingredients to be a really exciting match, a fantastic
03:57 occasion. Also because in this moment AC Milan is at
04:01 the top of the table on par with Inter, so we know very well that after this match there
04:06 will be only one team at the top. Exactly, something will change. Hopefully
04:11 the result will be in the red and black favour of the city, but there's a lot that can happen,
04:17 but it's a really exciting time to be playing. The Cousins.
04:21 It's an opportunity as well, of course, to put the mark down early. Bragging rights early
04:26 in the season can be very important. Yes, both teams have started well, but this is
04:30 now the start of the very important next period Champions League to come as well for both
04:34 clubs. So a really important three points on offer this weekend.
04:37 Before we focus on the derby match, I would like to make a recap of what happened in the
04:43 three first days of this new Serie A because three winnings in three matches. A good result,
04:50 a good beginning for our Rossoneri and against opponents a little difficult. Firstly Bologna,
04:57 then Torino and the last one Roma-Jose Mourinho. These good results can say something good
05:07 about this new team and new forces for Stefano Pioli.
05:11 No doubt. Three different opponents obviously coming in. The Roma, with respect, obviously
05:17 probably the toughest of the three there, but an opportunity showed for these, particularly
05:21 the new players. We know the turnover that has been. We know that a number of new faces
05:25 have come in and have settled in quite well, but an opportunity to get used to life and
05:30 football under Pioli in a Milan shirt. It comes with great pride, great responsibility.
05:35 And what I've loved so far overall is that a couple of the new players that have come
05:39 in, but a couple of the really important players from the recent seasons really stepping up.
05:43 Of course, Rafa Leal now in the number 10 shirt, looking very good. A lot of support
05:47 around team. Olivier Giroud has been prolific as ever and it has been a great haircut. I'm
05:53 loving Giroud's style. It's a very, very good style. But look, it's been a really positive
05:57 start. Some wonderful goals as well. We see Pulisic scoring there. So it's been a positive
06:01 start, but that's why I mean from all the positives that have been taken away from the
06:05 opening three matchdays, it's now time to translate that into a very strong, deadly
06:09 performance. Yeah, exactly. It was good for the new players to taste Italian football.
06:14 Bologna are a tough team to beat. Torino, it was nice for them to play Torino at home
06:18 to get their debut in Serie A. And against Roma, Jose Mourinho's Roma at Stadio Olimpico
06:25 in the capital is never, ever easy. So it's been a good start. They've had a taste of
06:30 the different aspects of Serie A, but they've also put in some wonderful goals. Look at
06:34 Pulisic, right man on the spot, assist from Ruben, lost his cheek. The new boys who we'll
06:39 speak about a bit later, but have been fantastic. It's just been a really positive start to
06:44 the season, not just for the points, Licia, but also for the performances. So far, and
06:50 long may it continue, it's a really exciting Champagne or Prosecco football style Milan,
06:56 and it's what the fans want. They want to see exciting front foot football.
07:01 What's your favourite moment, your favourite action in these three first days of this new
07:07 Serie A? Sheridan, start with you. I think we saw it a few seconds ago. We saw Christian
07:12 Pulisic's goal against Bologna. It was just a really good way for him to introduce himself
07:21 to his new fans. So my personal moment was Captain America's rocket goal against Bologna.
07:27 For me, with exception to Giroud's haircut, I think it's... No, I'm with you. Pulisic,
07:33 I would like to be different, but I'll have to be the same, because I've really liked
07:36 his inclusion into the team. The fact that there has been some output, but particularly
07:41 one of the Pulisic goals, the team play, the build-up, it feels like they have been players
07:45 playing together for quite some time, and it has been wonderful. That's a very, very...
07:51 That's another special moment. That's another special moment. But we've seen many special
07:55 moments already. I hope after this weekend, Licia, the next special moment will be the
07:59 Derby della Madonina this weekend, because we know how important this is. But look, it's
08:03 been a fine start and really excited for the week ahead.
08:06 So let's talk about the first derby of this new season versus Inter. Maybe there's the
08:11 memory of what happened in the last season for the results, but also the awareness that
08:16 this new team could do best things.
08:20 Exactly. Last season, OK, there's no point in trying to sugarcoat it or deny it. The
08:25 derbies didn't smile upon Milan last season. The derbies weren't friendly or kind to the
08:30 red and black half of the city. But it's last season. You have to archive it. Football is
08:34 about tomorrow, not about yesterday. And Milan have got so many exciting new players playing
08:39 their first derbies. We'll be desperate to make a positive impact. So maybe some lessons
08:45 were learned from last season's derbies, but it doesn't matter because it's about looking
08:50 forward. It's about integrating the new players. We're looking at Simone Inzaghi, currently
08:54 Inter's manager, Inter's head coach, who's done very well. It has to be said, it will
08:58 be a tough match. And the aim will be to completely forget what happened last season. And this
09:04 new exciting Milan to try and cause problems for Mr. Inzaghi's side.
09:09 Not sugarcoating it, as you said, I think there is immense pressure on both clubs coming
09:13 in. There are new players who have spoken. One thing I've really liked about the Milan
09:17 news signing, speaking so passionately about their experience of the San Siro atmosphere
09:22 and what that brings and playing under that intensity. And we know, Derby della Madonnina,
09:28 the atmosphere does not get any better. So yes, you're right, Sheridan, archive the results
09:33 from last season didn't go Milan's way, but a massive opportunity here with pressure on
09:38 both teams to come out on top.
09:41 Great beginning of the season for the Rossoneri, but also for Inter. How Simone Inzaghi's lads
09:47 arrived to this big appointment, both physically and mentally?
09:52 Inter very interesting, aren't they? Obviously, end of the day, they made the Champions League
09:55 final only four months ago. So a team with great quality, a team that need to be respected,
10:01 but a team that, similarly to Milan, have had some turnover in the summer, particularly
10:06 in attack, Sheridan. That is going to certainly be when we start to break this game down.
10:10 Obviously, Lautaro for Inter leading the line. Lautaro, again, a wonderful player that does
10:15 need to be respected, but a lot of quality in the Milan defence, which I think is going
10:19 to be a really interesting battle to keep an eye on. We know Chao, one of our favourites
10:23 here. He's already spoken about how much he's looking forward to taking on Lautaro and that
10:28 Inter attack. So it's an Inter team that deservedly so come in in fine form as well. And I think
10:34 they'll have some confidence about their early start, as will Milan, making this match all
10:38 the more interesting coming in.
10:39 Yeah, they're playing very well, Inter. They've had a similar start to Milan. They've played
10:45 difficult teams, but they haven't played a killer team or a super team. They were very
10:49 impressive against Fiorentina. They played very nice, quick, incisive football. But they
10:55 too will be a bit worried about playing Milan. They will know that they've got a challenge
10:59 as well, as do Milan. So it should be an intriguing fixture. You always respect Inter. It's always
11:04 a match you look forward to. It's Clash of the Titans already, you know, round four,
11:08 and it's already a match which could have a big impact on the season, hopefully, if
11:13 it goes Milan's way.
11:16 The ProMatch press conference in which Stefano Pioli talked about different topics and obviously
11:21 about the opponents. So let's listen to him together.
11:27 I've seen a lot of focus in terms of preparing the derby in recent days, but everyone seems
11:31 quite relaxed. Above all, the new players, maybe it's because they're not completely
11:36 fully versed with what they'll come up against tomorrow. But I like the way they work. I
11:41 like the way they work together. I like the way that they're actually experiencing this
11:46 pre-match atmosphere because they're very focused, but they've got smiles on their faces.
11:51 And I think that's the right way to approach matches such as these because as and when
11:56 tomorrow comes around, you leave the hotel, you get to San Siro, you don't need a great
12:01 deal to actually figure out the importance of this match, to figure out what sort of
12:06 situation you'll encounter. But as I said, these are players that already have significant
12:12 experience because they've been involved in big matches, in big leagues. So I don't expect
12:17 anything unique or in particular, apart from the desire and the tranquillity to try and
12:25 come up in such important matches.
12:27 It's the first derby for new signings, not only Rossoneri, but also Neroazzurri. Among
12:33 the new signings of Stefano Pioli, there is Loftus-Chic, who is doing very well.
12:39 He has been fantastic in midfield, Ruben Loftus-Chic. He's brought energy, he's brought power, he's
12:45 brought technique as well. He's something that perhaps Serie A in recent years hasn't
12:50 been used to, the all-round box-to-box midfielder but also physically imposing. It will be a
12:56 real challenge for Inter's midfield to contain him. When he gets going, he's like a rampaging
13:02 bull. He's absolutely fantastic and he's slotted in so quickly. He looks great in the Milan
13:07 shirt and the fans already have a soft spot and affection for Ruben Loftus-Chic. Let's
13:15 hope he can continue this sparkling form at the start of his Milan career.
13:20 One thing I always look at with new players, and I think the fan can tend to forget, is
13:25 a young man moving to a new country, a new culture, a new language. For him to have settled
13:30 in as quickly as he has done is super impressive. He needs that support around him because he's
13:35 done very well in the early stages. We are only three rounds in but he has made as good
13:40 a start as Milan could have asked for. One of many new signings, Lice, really, really
13:45 impressed by his start and like every player on the pitch this weekend, he'll be put to
13:49 the full test against Inter in the derby.
13:51 Loftus-Chic talked about the derby. Here's the interview.
13:54 I've been asking my team-mate what it's like and they say the atmosphere is crazy. But
14:03 they were saying just wait and see. Just wait and see.
14:08 Raphaël Liao and still Raphaël Liao.
14:13 I'm really excited to be a part of a fixture like this. I know how much it means to the
14:19 fans and that's why you want to put on a good performance for the fans and the club and
14:25 you want to win the game. But these are the games you want to play in as a footballer.
14:30 You don't want to play in the games that don't mean anything. The friendly is the games that
14:35 have the most weight, the most pressure on your shoulders that you want to play in.
14:39 In this new beginning, the new Rossoneri show themselves capable of becoming a point of
14:45 reference for team-mates, the coach, but also AC Milan fans. We have said Loftus-Chic and
14:52 for example, Reinhardt, seen a good midfield but also Pulisic with his scored goals.
14:57 Adrian, I'll start with you.
14:59 The three very impressive starts for three very impressive plays. I think what they bring
15:03 to the team as well as their quality, you see the list of names there. There is a lot
15:07 of depth and quality that has been brought in, Sheridan. Really looking forward to seeing
15:11 all of these players really fulfil and maximise their potential in these early stages. But
15:16 the three you mentioned there, Liceo, they've certainly brought hunger, they've brought
15:20 energy and they've just brought a boost to what was already an impressive Milan squad
15:25 but a team that, well look, that boost, that added hunger, it doesn't hurt. I've really
15:30 been impressed by the output. This weekend we heard Loftus-Chic there speak so passionately
15:35 about how much he's looking forward to the experience of playing in the Derby. This is
15:41 where you really, really understand what it means to wear that badge, wear the Milan shirt
15:45 and represent this fantastic club. It's another opportunity for them in their very short Milan
15:52 careers at this point, Sheridan, but one that I'm sure they'll make the most of. Yes, the
15:57 new guys, the ones that you mentioned, Reinders, Ruben, Loftus-Chic, have started so well and
16:03 ten new recruits is a lot. It's basically almost a team of outfield players. So they've
16:09 really settled in well and I think, and there is just Reinders there, just showing the brave
16:14 side of the world. It was a bit naughty that challenge actually. I'm sure the referee wasn't
16:17 too happy with that, nor was Reinders. But he's been really impressive this season and
16:22 you join AC Milan for nights like the Derby della Madonnina and all the players that have
16:29 signed will get their chance. It's a long season, hopefully with lots of games, not
16:32 just the domestic matches, but hopefully a long run in the Champions League again. Coppa
16:37 Italia, there'll be the Super Coppa Italia. All of the new players should get their chance
16:44 at some point in the season and hopefully they'll all take their chance as impressively
16:48 as Pulisic, Reinders and Ruben. A lot of football to be played. I think the most impressive
16:53 element of their inclusion into the team has been the fact, I mentioned earlier with Leal
16:57 as an example, that added attacking depth has now freed up Leal at times and we're seeing
17:02 some of the top players play a bit freer, a bit more loosely and as a result the output's
17:06 been there. Obviously Giroud's had the output with the goals, Leal's quality and I'm looking
17:11 forward to some of those other players, Truquez as well, being integrated into the team and
17:15 we can see a much stronger Milan. Plus Adriano, sorry to interrupt but there are some really
17:20 quick players. I love the pace and power. The pace and power really, really excites
17:24 me now going forward, especially in Europe. When coming in the Champions League against,
17:29 well we know, Matchday 1, Newcastle, an English team, there's obviously Paris Saint-Germain,
17:32 Borussia Dortmund, three different clubs from three different countries that play three
17:35 different styles, pace and power always in the team. Modern football, speed is so important.
17:40 It's good to have technique and skill obviously, but you need to have speed, especially when
17:44 you're playing away in the Champions League and you sit back, absorb the pressure and
17:49 you strike. And for these new signings, it's also the first time they are going to leave
17:55 the emotion to play in a match which is a tradition here in Milan, the derby. That's
18:00 incredible. As I said, as a player, think about it, we're sitting here talking about
18:05 it, it gives you goosebumps thinking about it, but for these players to come and having
18:10 had their respective careers previously, but to come to this match, not only a match so
18:14 iconic in Italy, but one of the most famous matches in world football, I can't begin to
18:20 get my head around how special that would be. The energy, the nervous energy, the anticipation,
18:25 it would be a special time, but again, this is what I like, you play for this club, you
18:29 need to play at this level and you need to perform at this level as well. Absolutely,
18:33 it's a pressure that you can't replicate in training and it's why players want to get
18:38 to the top, you want to play in the derby in Madrid or Milan or some of the London derbies
18:46 or somewhere like Borussia Dortmund against Bayern Munich, which is not a local derby,
18:50 but it's a league derby. You want to test yourself in these matches, you want to really
18:55 put yourself under pressure and then show people who you are and hopefully the new guys
19:00 will do so. So can you feel this particular atmosphere in this week because on Saturday
19:06 there's the derby match in the city, it's something strange. It's a special energy.
19:13 And I think one of the best things that perhaps people don't talk about enough is that it's
19:16 a friendly energy, because not every derby is, let's say, as convivial or as friendly,
19:25 contested in a kind of a cheerful spirit, but there are families who, one, the husband
19:31 might support Milan, the wife might support Inter, or there might be brothers and sisters
19:34 in the same family that support different sides of the city. Well, that's a wonderful
19:38 thing. It's a fearsome derby and both teams really want to win, but it's a friendly derby
19:44 and that, I think, makes it even more special.
19:47 But you do feel the buzz in the city. Living here, you feel it, you soak it up, the papers,
19:52 the colour, you do feel it. Everyone's talking about it, in every bar, every restaurant,
19:56 everyone's talking about this big match and hopefully the first of many because it's certainly
20:01 a wonderful game to cover and be a part of.
20:03 In this team, there are new signings that know very well Europe and now it's so important
20:11 because it's Champions League time. On Wednesday, the kick-off against Newcastle at San Siro
20:16 Stadium. I'm going to share it and start with you.
20:18 So exciting, the Champions League is back. It's an early kick-off as well, so it's quick,
20:23 it's even sooner. It's not even, we don't have to wait until Tuesday night, it's a Tuesday
20:26 evening. Newcastle are a team that have been really, have been improving periodically for
20:33 about three years. They're back in the Champions League after a long time out.
20:36 Two decades, Sheridan.
20:37 There you go, two decades. I wasn't born the last time Newcastle were in the Champions
20:41 League. No, they'll be a really tough opponent. They have the British style, if you like to
20:47 call it that way. They play with energy and speed but they also play good football. They've
20:52 had a difficult start to the season so they'll be hungry to do well against Milan. Things
20:57 haven't gone as they would have planned, as they would have hoped in the Premier League
21:01 so the players will want to prove themselves. So it's got all the makings of a really good
21:07 Champions League match. Different styles, different approaches to football but they
21:12 have to be respected, the magpies.
21:14 They also have Sandro Tonali. They also have that player who, if plays, because there is
21:20 some doubt over fitness, will get a welcome back to Sun City or perhaps earlier than he
21:26 had anticipated after leaving. But this Champions League group is, well it's the group of death.
21:32 It's spicy.
21:33 We have fun.
21:34 It's an incredible group. But this is why you play Champions League football. This is
21:37 why you want to play Champions League football. Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle
21:41 United, three famous clubs in their own right. They will be three amazing trips away from
21:46 home for the fans that go to Paris, to Dortmund and to Newcastle. I think this is a wonderful,
21:53 again a wonderful test at the right time for Pjolli's men because a number of new signings
21:57 coming in who have had European experience at other clubs come all together now off the
22:01 back of a semi-final in the Champions League last season and I'm very, very excited by
22:06 these six matchdays ahead.
22:08 Which one could be the funniest match against Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain or Borussia
22:16 Dortmund? Share it down.
22:17 Well, it's a good question.
22:19 It's a difficult question. Thank you for that difficult question.
22:22 You're welcome.
22:23 I think the most entertaining, you probably have to say PSG because their captain is Kylian
22:29 Mbappe. I believe he's the captain. He's the captain of France. He's a good player. That's
22:33 the important thing.
22:34 Some say.
22:35 So any match against Kylian Mbappe is always entertaining. Hopefully the Milan rearguard
22:40 can keep him quiet when he comes to this city.
22:43 Honestly, I think you could make an argument for all six games here because each game has
22:48 something different on offer. I think this first matchday against Newcastle is as important
22:52 as any match.
22:53 You've got to get off to a good start.
22:55 At home, first start against a team that haven't been in the Champions League for two decades,
23:00 very important. I think the trip to Paris Saint-Germain is going to be very special,
23:05 but then again a trip to Dortmund is one of the best in football. So I haven't given you
23:08 an answer, Licia, but I think all of them for different reasons, but certainly I think
23:12 there is the next few days coming up, the Derby and then Newcastle matchday one. This
23:17 is as big a moment for Pioli and his men all season.
23:21 Good answer, Adriano.
23:22 Thank you.
23:23 That's all for our first male team, guys. So let's move on with our women team.
23:29 It's time for a new beginning also for Maurizio Gans' team on Sunday against Roma. Which kind
23:44 of opponents are the Giallorossi, Adriano?
23:46 Well, which kind of opponents are they? The opponent this weekend, of course, Milan will
23:50 play at home. The opponent this weekend is the champion from last season, a Roma team
23:56 who of course will be balancing Champions League play-offs with the early stages of
24:01 the Serie A season. We spoke about it in the second half of last season, Sheridan, with
24:06 Milan of course going into the Championship group, playing against all of the other teams
24:10 that had finished in the top five. I think we were seeing consistent improvement by Gans'
24:16 team. Now Gans' another season at Milan, it's a few years he's been there now. So a nice
24:20 opportunity to come up against a team in Roma who they met also in the Coppa Italia, I think
24:25 it was the semis last season. So a team that they are very familiar with, obviously some
24:30 changes for both teams. But I think this is the way you want to start the season. You
24:34 come off a very strong pre-season, a good time for women's football. I mentioned I was
24:38 at the Women's World Cup. The interest couldn't be any higher at the moment. And to come up
24:42 at home against the reigning champion, a really nice test to get things underway. A nice, tough
24:47 test. There will be no complacency. They can't glide into the season serenely because first
24:55 match is against the champions, which I think is good actually. If there's one criticism
24:59 we had of the women's side, the Milan Feminile last season was they didn't start very well.
25:05 And they know that, they admitted that, the players spoke about that, Mr Gans spoke about
25:09 that, the head coach. Last year was a very slow start. And then after Christmas they
25:13 were fantastic. But to play against Roma, the champions of Italy in the first match
25:18 is actually good because it means you have to be straight off the bat. You have to be
25:22 on form, you have to be sharp. It will be tough but it will be a good spectacle hopefully.
25:28 And as I say, the key is start the season well. Don't get off on the back foot because
25:32 that makes life complicated.
25:35 We have seen that the Rossoneri start this new season with big matches. Firstly Roma,
25:41 then Napoli, then Juventus. So, good challenges for the team. That has changed something during
25:52 summer for new signings. Manny, for Maurizio Gans, which kind of new signings are these
26:00 players? How they could help the play of the team?
26:04 My eyes there immediately go to Staskova who has had a set of experience with Juventus.
26:08 Previously a player that will come in, Shadnoyer as well. These are the experienced players
26:13 that will come in and help take Gans' team to that next level, no doubt about that. But
26:19 look, there is always turnover. We have seen it in the men's team. Obviously, youth team
26:23 is different with players at different ages. But there is always turnover and that is up
26:26 to the manager, to the group to ensure that as you said they get off to that strong start.
26:32 But what I really do believe is the core of this team that have the experience in that
26:36 second half of last season where we did see improved performances against the very, very
26:41 strong teams in Serie A. I think they will understand that as you said Sheridan, if they
26:46 are not already listening, that that important start is very good to ensure that they are
26:50 in the mix for that top two finish of course, which is the target to ensure a return to
26:55 the qualification for the Champions League next season.
26:57 Yes, when I look at those new signings, those new faces, I see a blend, a good blend. You
27:01 have got some young exciting players, you have got more experienced players, like you
27:05 mentioned Chernoya arriving from Juventus, I mean she has done everything in women's
27:10 football in Italy. So it is a nice blend and they will all have their impact whether it
27:15 is starting or coming off the bench. Mr Gans has kept the core of players last season who
27:20 were fantastic like Berga, our friend Valentina Bergamasky, Christy Grimshaw, the Scottish
27:27 Lionheart in midfield had a brilliant second half of the season. So there is enough good
27:33 stuff there to do well and to get that top two finish, hopefully even finishing the top
27:39 one so to speak. Top one would be good. The top one, you do not get any higher than the
27:43 top one. So there is enough there, there is quality there, let us see how they start the
27:47 season and they have this, like you said Lice, this beginning against Roma, Napoli, Juventus,
27:53 a baptism of fire. So good luck for our Rossoneri for the first match of this new season. Now
28:00 let us change chapter because we are going to speak about our Under-19s. Sheridan, a
28:09 good beginning for a better team, two winnings in two days and they are at the top of the
28:21 table. A really good start and the interesting thing Lice is that last season the Primavera,
28:27 similar to the women's team, did not have a great start and they were playing catch-up
28:31 until January. This season however, two victories straight away, seven goals in two matches,
28:38 there has been a changing of the guard, some of the older players and by old I mean over
28:42 19, they are not old in real life but you know what I am saying, moved on. Captain Kevin
28:47 Zeroli has been fantastic. You have been big on Zeroli. I love Kevin Zeroli, he is a really
28:52 good midfielder, general. There is the boss, Ignazio Abate, he is so thrilled with how
28:58 the team are playing. The first match of the season, this is against Bologna, it is the
29:02 most recent match, not the first match. But Diego Sia, one of the young wingers, has been
29:07 in really good form. When I say young, you know what I mean, they are all young. I think
29:11 you know what I mean, I say it every week. Likewise, two goals for Diego Sia, some good
29:17 performances from all of the attack and it has just been a really positive start. It
29:23 is so much better than last year when they struggled at the beginning of the season.
29:26 But to win, to score seven goals in your first two matches, Mr Abate will be absolutely thrilled.
29:32 We will see a few of those goals. We are just seeing the action against Bologna but we will
29:36 see some of those goals. Vincenzo Perucci has scored two goals as well. Everyone is
29:42 performing well, the defence is looking solid. Giancarlo Simic, central defender, who reminds
29:48 me of a young Fabio Cannavaro, is having an impact. It has just been a really good...
29:54 There is, that was Giancarlo Simic, we saw it, he is celebrating with his teammates.
29:57 It's a really good group and it promises well for the rest of the season.
30:01 So a lot of positivity to take away.
30:03 So much positivity.
30:04 You are sounding excited, so I am excited too. And of course, off the back of the semis
30:07 last year in the UEFA Youth League, that is incredible.
30:10 It is a great group.
30:11 I think for Abate and the group that has remained from there, it is just momentum that is carrying
30:16 on from the end of season success, albeit the start of the season, probably didn't go
30:20 the way they would have hoped.
30:21 No, it is just exciting to see the wingers, Diego Sia, Hugo Cuenca, on the wing a fantastic...
30:27 There is a striker called Camarda who scored two goals for Italy. I think it was under
30:31 19s or under 17s in midweek. He is an exciting player.
30:36 Mr Abate has just slightly changed the system. Giancarlo Simic and Clinton in central defence
30:43 are fantastic.
30:45 They played so well in the first two matches. They even conceded one goal in each match,
30:49 but the defence looked relatively watertight.
30:52 So watch this space. If you don't normally have time or watch the Primavera, well, give
30:57 this group a chance because they are really, really exciting and they scored some fabulous
31:02 goals.
31:03 They have already scored some contenders for goal of the season.
31:06 Your favourite action in these first two days? I am thinking also about the new signings.
31:13 Yes, I think it has to be... You have put me on the spot there. It is a difficult one,
31:19 but I think it was probably...
31:20 I am going to go for a tackle. Giancarlo Simic, who is not a new signing, I confess, but his
31:26 slide tackling, his timing, his intervention when there is danger has been fantastic.
31:32 The goals are always fabulous, but Giancarlo Simic is a name to look out for. I mention
31:36 him every week. Last season, I mentioned him every week.
31:39 You have mentioned him ten times already this season, so we will definitely keep it.
31:42 Giancarlo Simic, he is going to mention him. He is fantastic.
31:43 We are going to keep a close eye on him.
31:45 Keep an eye on him.
31:46 We will.
31:47 He is a rising star.
31:48 Absolutely. Looking forward to it.
31:49 Guys, that is all for today. Thanks to Adriano Del Monte. Ciao, Adriano. Grazie.
31:54 Thank you, Licia. Thank you very much.
31:55 And thank you to Sheridan Burr. Ciao, Sheridan.
31:57 Thank you, Licia. Thank you, Adriano. Thank you for watching as well.
32:00 Dear Rossoneri, thanks for following us. See you in the next episode of our AC Milan Talk.
32:06 Ciao.
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