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00:00 [Music]
00:18 Hello Rossoneri, this is AC Milan Talk.
00:21 We are ready for a new weekly episode with all the goings on of our favourite team,
00:25 obviously both on and off the pitch.
00:27 Let me introduce my friend Sheridan Bird.
00:30 Hi Sheridan, welcome.
00:31 Hi Alicia, great to see you.
00:33 Hope you're well and it's good to speak to everyone at home watching us.
00:37 How are you and what about your weekend full of football also for AC Milan?
00:43 Full of football, full of Milan, full of some fantastic goals,
00:47 some great moments which we'll be speaking about
00:50 and I'm looking forward to delving into all the news about Rossoneri this weekend.
00:56 Plenty of talking points also for today's episode,
00:59 so let's start with our men's first team.
01:01 A goal from Thierry Neanderts, from Rafa Leao Assis,
01:13 was enough to define the final result of AC Milan's 24th Serie A matchday against Napoli.
01:21 A very important winning with the black version of our new foil kit,
01:26 but this result and this match was very important for our Rossoneri, Sheridan.
01:32 Yes, it was.
01:33 We spoke last week about how Napoli were just starting to find some form after struggling slightly
01:39 and I think they played well.
01:41 Walter Matzah at his side, but they didn't have the end product and Milan did
01:46 and it was a good solid team performance.
01:49 As you say, looking cool, looking mean and moody in the black fourth kit
01:54 and it was crucial in terms of points and we'll be speaking about it a bit later,
01:59 but they are certainly in a very good run of form, Milan.
02:03 But this was a game that wasn't simple.
02:05 This was a game that Milan wanted to win to start the week, the footballing week, on the front foot
02:12 and I think it was a really lively match and an important result and a good match to get out of the way
02:18 because Milan's record here in the city of Milan at San Siro against Napoli hasn't been the best for a decade,
02:26 so it was a result that I think deserves a lot of credit.
02:30 The main aim for the match against Napoli was to extend this positive run of good results in Syria
02:38 also because the Rossoneri haven't beaten the Partenopei in Syria at San Siro since December 2014,
02:46 also an important result for the historical point of view.
02:50 Yes, it was time to put that right because it's been a while.
02:54 Napoli have a good record at San Siro, but it was Teo Hernandez and his teammates who did the business at the stadium
03:02 and it was a good professional performance and Milan are in some really good form since Christmas
03:09 or since the second half of the season.
03:12 Milan have been playing really well, some of the injured players are starting to come back,
03:16 but there are still lots of absent players, yet Mr Pioli is using his squad and rotating his options very, very well.
03:24 So a really positive result and one to savour.
03:27 Our head coach Stefano Pioli, who showed himself very satisfied for his lead performance,
03:33 so let's listen to his post-match reactions together.
03:39 We've been travelling a lot lately and we have to keep doing that.
03:43 We want to do well, we want to be competitive.
03:46 Tonight was a difficult game, but we played it well.
03:50 We played well in the first half, a bit less in the second, but we had the chance to double up.
03:55 So we have to keep going.
03:57 You have to realise that more and more because there are some incredible technical and physical skills.
04:04 He did well, both in terms of attitude and mentality, to play a few games as a central defender,
04:10 even though he's better as a full-back.
04:12 He did well because you never have to give up, you have to be more careful, more aggressive and more intense.
04:20 He's now bringing the lessons he learned in those games into his natural way.
04:25 I don't know if he's already one of the best full-backs in the world.
04:31 Our men's first team are facing very well this first part of 2024, as Stéphane Piollet said.
04:38 Yeah, he made some very good points, very sensible points.
04:42 He's right, in the second half Napoli came on strong and they showed they still have quality,
04:47 even if they're having a tough time defending their title of last season.
04:52 They did show some old characteristics in the second half of Napoli and Milan did well to hold them off.
04:58 Milan still managed to create chances throughout the match, so you can see why he was really pleased with the result.
05:05 Stéphane Piollet also talked about our number 19, Theo Hernandez,
05:10 who was decisive in the match against Napoli for the goals scored.
05:16 But also something about his period, the period that he's living in this particular season,
05:23 with many topics that are important for him, also for his position in the formation of the team on the pitch.
05:32 Yeah, I think with so many injuries and several senior players unavailable,
05:37 Theo has really had to take on some new responsibility and he's certainly doing that.
05:43 I believe he's already got three goals this season, which is a really good total for a defender.
05:49 And Mr Piollet was saying that if he's not already one of the best left-backs in the world or full-backs in the world,
05:56 he's definitely making progress to become that.
05:59 That's a wonderfully cool and calm penalty from Theo.
06:03 And this season we mustn't forget, Lisha, that he's actually had to move into central defence to cover for injuries.
06:08 And when he played in central defence, he was impeccable.
06:11 Looked like he'd been playing there for many years.
06:14 So he's been such a key player. This is a lovely one-two with Giroud.
06:18 And that shot was a missile that nearly snapped the goal.
06:22 And it just goes to show that he's focused this season.
06:25 He's looking very fit as well. And he's so important to Milan.
06:30 And what can you say? I think the fans know that the Rossoneri are very lucky to have Theo Hernandez.
06:37 Not three goals, but four goals, with one against Napoli.
06:43 Also considering the assists are important stats for him, because at the beginning it seemed to be not the best season of his career.
06:51 But now something is going on very well for him.
06:55 Yeah, I think it might be fair to say that with the World Cup, which was last winter in 2022,
07:02 lots of players perhaps started this season a little bit jaded, a bit tired.
07:07 But Theo now looks in fine form physically, and he just looks like he's ready to make the difference.
07:12 And we are now in the crucial time of the season, from February to the end of the campaign.
07:17 And to have Theo fully fit and fully firing is magnificent.
07:22 Many protagonists on the pitch at San Siro for the match against Napoli,
07:27 but Milan TV cameras captured also Yassine Adeli post-match reactions. Let's listen to his words together.
07:34 We are working well now, we are trying to keep up.
07:40 Unfortunately we drew against Bologna, but it was also a tough match.
07:45 Today we won 1-0, we worked well as a team and I am happy about that.
07:53 I am super happy to play with Isma, it was the first time.
07:57 He is like a brother to me, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time.
08:03 I am happy to play with him and I hope to do it again.
08:07 At least words on the match against Napoli, but also on his relationship with his teammates Ismael Ben Nasser.
08:15 This is very important.
08:16 It's really good, let's hope they can build up a really good relationship in midfield,
08:20 because they are different players, but they are both very skilful.
08:23 Tidy players who use the ball very well.
08:27 If the Ben Nasser-Adeli axis can get more minutes under their belt in terms of fitness and avoiding injuries,
08:35 it could be absolutely fabulous, highly advantageous for Milan.
08:39 Yassine Adeli has really made great strides this season.
08:43 It's a really nice thing to witness him developing as a player and getting used to Serie A.
08:49 There he is with Stanislav Lobodka of Napoli.
08:53 It's really good, it's a really beautiful blossoming partnership between Ismael Ben Nasser and Yassine Adeli.
09:01 Now let's change topic, because thinking not only about Serie A, it's already time for a new experience.
09:11 We are ready for a very important fixture, the new one of the Europa League.
09:17 What about its journey and its importance for the club and for the team of Serie A?
09:22 The Europa League, which many years ago was the UEFA Cup, is still the only European trophy that Milan haven't won.
09:30 It's a prestigious tournament, it's a big trophy, some very important teams have won it.
09:35 Let's be honest, it's time that Milan got their name on the trophy.
09:39 It would be really wonderful if the Rossoneri could add that to their huge collection of European silverware.
09:46 It's prestigious, it's something to take seriously.
09:50 It's a really good opportunity to write the name of AC Milan even more in the European trophy history books.
10:01 On Thursday is matchday again for the matchup of the Europa League against Sirene.
10:08 I would like to ask you something about the characteristics of our next European opponents, so we can know them better.
10:18 Just like Milan are in great form in the last few weeks, likewise are N.
10:23 They have actually won their last eight matches, if you include cup matches and penalty shootouts.
10:29 They are a very good team, they are very well coached by Julien and Stephane.
10:34 They have won eight matches in a row, they won at the weekend in Ligue 1.
10:39 They normally play 4-4-2, but they like to play expansive, exciting, expressive football.
10:46 We've got a few players in the Milan squad who actually know a bit about them.
10:50 Yacine Adli himself played against them a couple of years ago when he was in the French League, so he'll know what they're made of.
10:56 And this season, our very own Mattia Gabbia played against them in the Europa League for Villarreal.
11:05 He knows all about them, he'll be able to maybe give some tips to the rest of the squad and Mr Pioli about their style, about how they play.
11:13 There's not too much mystery, Milan have got people who know about them, but they are in really good form.
11:19 It's going to be an exciting couple of matches, two teams who are flying in 2024.
11:24 We naturally hope that the red and black team come out on top.
11:28 So, four days after Napoli, the match against Rennes for Europa League, and three days after it, the match against Monza.
11:36 So the game in general becomes harder, both in the Serie A League and in Europe, Sheridan.
11:43 Lots of matches, Licia, lots of matches to cover, lots of matches to keep an eye on.
11:48 But yeah, straight after the match against Napoli, it's Rennes, straight after the match against Rennes, it'll be Monza.
11:54 It must be said that this season they're not quite shining as brightly as they did last year, but they're still a dangerous team.
12:01 They're in mid-table, I think they would have perhaps hoped for a bit better this season themselves.
12:06 They're struggling somewhat, but we still have to respect them.
12:10 One or two old friends as well, Monza of course is the team of Adriano Gagliani, who we know very well in this part of the city.
12:19 But Milan, I think, will probably have enough to win against Monza, especially if they can score goals like this, a wonderful strike from Tiziani Reinders.
12:30 But it should be, I think Milan will just have a bit too much for Monza.
12:35 Of course, recovering from the match in the Europa League will have an impact. There's Giancarlo Simic as well, scoring the second goal.
12:41 Wonderful for him to get off the mark.
12:44 But yeah, Monza, a team that perhaps I think struggling second season syndrome back in Serie A, but they will still have to be respected.
12:53 As we say every week, every team in Serie A must be respected.
12:57 Also because there is a very important set for Monza. They count 31 minutes for ball possession.
13:05 So many important stats that maybe can tell us that it will be not an easy fixture for our Rossaneri.
13:13 Exactly. They look after the ball very well. They don't give you many chances.
13:17 They don't make anything easy for you. They don't make anything easy for anyone.
13:21 And there is their up and coming young manager, Palladino, who is doing very well.
13:27 And like I say, the possession or like you say, the possession there is all very, very clear and just shows that they are a quality team.
13:35 But they've just lost that sparkle this season. But as I say, it will be a match that Milan have to take very seriously.
13:42 You can't switch off at this time of the season, Licia. You can't relax. Every match is important.
13:47 And Monza have to be a team that Milan take very seriously.
13:50 Many actions scheduled for our men's first team, but we come to the end of our focus on Pjoli's side.
13:57 And now let's move on with our women's team.
13:59 Not a positive result on 16th matchday for our Rossaneri because the desire and character weren't enough for them.
14:14 Who fell to 1-0 defeat against Asuolo Sheridan.
14:18 Yes, the girls, the ladies, they played well, they gave everything, but it was not to be.
14:24 Asuolo made a lot of changes from the team that actually played Milan in the women's Coppa Italia.
14:31 They brought back some of their first team players.
14:34 And unfortunately, as you said, they were just a bit too strong. They were just a bit too good on the day for the Rossaneri.
14:41 And it's an unfortunate result in the sense that it now means that the Rossaneri are out of the Scudetto pool,
14:48 which is the half of the table, which will battle for the Champions League positions and to win the Scudetto.
14:55 So it's a frustrating end to this part of the season.
14:59 This is the action when they went into the area. It was given as a penalty. The referee pointed to the spot.
15:06 I still wasn't 100 percent sure that it was a penalty, but it doesn't matter what I think, Licia.
15:11 It matters what the referee thinks. This is the incident.
15:14 Sofia, Angelica Sofia, a judge to have committed the foul. Doesn't matter.
15:18 Referee said it was a penalty and Daniela Sabatino put it into the net to make it 1-0.
15:24 And that was the end of the scoring in the match. That's how it stayed.
15:28 And it condemned Milan to another narrow defeat. But a defeat is still a defeat.
15:35 And as I say, the season hasn't been one to remember for the Rossaneri.
15:40 Now I think it's time perhaps to try and regroup, get some form together,
15:45 maybe give some young players a chance and try and build something looking towards next season,
15:51 which hopefully will be a bit more positive.
15:53 Now a very tough week considering the Wednesday against Sampdoria,
15:58 but especially looking to the weekend Saturday for the derby against Inter Sheridan.
16:03 Yes, the match against Sampdoria is coming up and that will be a tough one.
16:07 Another match on the road for the Rossaneri.
16:11 Perhaps the only positive thing about playing the derby so soon will be it's a really big match
16:17 and it's sometimes easier, sometimes better to get motivated for important matches, particularly the derby.
16:24 So that might be a chance for the team just to show some anger,
16:28 just to show some determination and get a good result because the derby is always a huge occasion.
16:36 That's all for our focus on Curtis' side and now let's move on with our Under-19s.
16:43 A bitter draw, the one against Sassuolo, because it was a very played match
16:56 and it's perfectly reflected on the final result, Sheridan.
17:00 Yes, it was seven minutes of madness really for the young Rossaneri,
17:05 which turned a 3-0 victory into a 3-3 draw against Sassuolo.
17:11 It was Sassuolo week last week, as you know, for Milan.
17:14 Everyone was playing Sassuolo apart from the men's first team, but it was frustrating.
17:19 The only thing you can perhaps say about it, and we often discuss it every week,
17:24 is that because this is the Primavera, because this is the youth team,
17:28 the idea is to learn, the idea is to develop as players, as teammates.
17:34 It was just one of those matches that Milan actually went into a three-goal lead
17:40 and were looking so impressive. We'll see some of those goals in a second,
17:44 but there were some really beautiful goals and Milan were looking comfortable.
17:48 We got to the 85th minute, Sassuolo scored a goal and it looked a bit nerve-wracking
17:55 and then they brought it back. This is the moment, this is the first goal,
18:00 which was a penalty for a foul on Francesco Camarda, and then he converted the penalty.
18:05 The goalkeeper got a hand to it, but it was still too strong and a nice celebration.
18:10 The match started so well for the Rossaneri, really good spot kick.
18:16 This was the second goal by Diego Sier, I believe, that made it 2-0.
18:21 At the back post, unmarked, Sassuolo forgot about Diego Sier,
18:26 so he put it into the net and it was a really good start to the game.
18:31 Another chance to see. There was no one near our number 11.
18:35 This though, Lecia, is a very special goal.
18:38 I let the pictures do the talking there, because that by Francesco Camarda
18:42 is a world-class goal. To score with his head, almost outside the area, Lecia,
18:48 was fantastic. It was 3-0, but then there was a bit of a breakdown in communication,
18:53 some fatigue as well, some tiredness, some mistakes,
18:57 and Sassuolo scored three goals in seven minutes and everyone went home.
19:01 It was a 3-3 draw, so it was disappointing, but these things happen in football.
19:05 They happen in professional football, they happen in Primavera football.
19:09 You just have to learn from it and hopefully next time just close the door at 3-0.
19:14 The next game is scheduled for the next matchday and Primavera 1 is the one against Genoa.
19:19 What should we expect?
19:21 The match against Sassuolo demonstrated that the Milan attack is absolutely brilliant.
19:27 On their day, if they can cut out defensive errors, I honestly believe
19:32 this AC Milan youth side are one of the best in Europe, not just in Italy.
19:37 I back Milan every match in the youth league and also in the Primavera Championship.
19:43 I back them to play well against Genoa and to get the full three points,
19:47 but they just have to try and cut out the errors.
19:51 It's human to make errors, but to go into that match having thrown away a three-goal lead
19:58 against Sassuolo will be playing on their minds slightly,
20:01 but the quality in attack is indisputable.
20:05 You mentioned the youth league.
20:07 I did.
20:09 We know our future also for this European League because the next opponents are Braga.
20:16 Yeah, it'll be a tough fixture.
20:18 They're all tough ones to get to this stage of the UEFA Youth League,
20:21 but last year's achievement of getting to the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League
20:25 will really help the young Rossoneri, will really help Mr. Abate's side.
20:30 That match is taking place in a couple of weeks,
20:32 so we'll go into more detail at that time, but it's something to look forward to
20:37 and it's something to motivate the players.
20:39 For those who perhaps haven't had much of a chance or haven't started many matches
20:44 can now show what they're worth and give Mr. Abate a selection headache,
20:48 but something coming up soon, the UEFA Youth League.
20:51 The return of that is something to really look forward to.
20:54 We come to the end of this new episode.
20:58 Thanks to Sheridan Bird. See you next week, Sheridan.
21:01 My pleasure. Thank you very much, Licia. Thank you to everyone for watching.
21:05 Dear Rossoneri, thanks for following us
21:07 and see you in the next episode of our AC Milan Talk. Ciao!
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