Milanovic, trainer of Mario Mandzukic, spoke to Tuttosport on the Croatian 34 year-old striker and his move to AC Milan, this is what he said:
"We met every day to implement strength and endurance with personalized exercises and a special program created for him. On the pitch we did a lot. It was easy, thanks to his determination everything becomes easy. We are talking about a striker who wants to continue to remain in a big league. Helping his team to win games. And I have no doubt that he will be important for Milan."
On the kind of workouts done in the recent months:
"We focused on breaking up the workouts on physical condition into sections. Body composition, strength, speed, agility and endurance. Mario has a very good basic level of physical qualities. With incredible determination and focus, he makes job simple. The program was tailor-made to perfectly suit his needs. This means specific exercises. But also repetitions, sets, speed and frequency in certain sessions. For a long time we stopped on one type of training to be ready for the competitive spirit of a club."
On how is Mandzukic feeling now:
"Mario has a high level of strength and endurance. He is ready for a complete training with the group. Precisely by virtue of what we have done together."
When will he play?
"He'll need a little bit to adapt, it's completely normal. But knowing his competitiveness, he'll go on the pitch earlier than everyone expected. I've been working in the world of sport for twenty years. Mostly with footballers but also with basketball players and I can assure you that Mario, in terms of endurance, is among the top 3 of all the athletes I have had the pleasure of collaborating with."
When will he be at the top?
"It is difficult to make an exact forecast. I expect him to be 100% in two or three weeks."
On Mandzukic and Ibrahimovic:
"They have a body language that speaks for them. Combined with the characteristics that make them unique."
Image credit: acmilan.com
