Davide Calabria spoke to Il Corriere della Sera in an interview and talked about the season and the ambitions. Here are his statements:
"I worked a lot, we worked a lot. Yes, it's true, it's as if Milan and I had grown together in this last year. We understood where there was to improve and we did it in silence, even when everyone else was talking."
On the defeat against Spezia:
"It was a bad day. The classic game where everything is wrong, with everyone. But it's already behind us. Now let's raise our heads."
On the difficult moment of AC Milan:
"Don't panic, we'll get out of it while working well. With humility, concentration, and enthusiasm. For the first place in the championship, it is a long race, nothing is compromised. What matters is to finish first. But now the head goes to the Europa League: we care a lot, we want to get to the bottom. Europe is the natural environment of Milan. We will think about the derby from Friday."
On Champions League being the target and the Scudetto dream:
"I grew up wearing the Milan shirt since I was a child. They taught me that here you always play only to win. We didn't start with the aim of winning the Scudetto, no one asked us for it. But we have shown that we can play well with everyone."
About the derby on Sunday:
"The season can change, of course. That's why we want to win tomorrow in Belgrade: a win brings another win. We must immediately recover that mentality that allowed us to be in the lead for 21 matchdays. Then we will think about the derby and to win it, of course. In the first leg they said about us that we are underdogs, didn't they?"
On Inter:
"They are the best equipped together with Juve. But it's all wide open. I repeat: we just have to keep quiet and work, as my father taught me."
Calabria on his father:
"He went out at five in the morning and came back when I was already asleep. He worked hard on construction sites. Without complaining, without ever losing his smile. Now he has opened a bar, but he works more than before. His motto is: 'get busy and shut up'. He had a hard time coming to see me at games when I was a kid. But at the table he said to me: believe in yourself, no one will do it for you."
Calabria on Paolo Maldini:
"I owe a lot to Paolo Maldini. A legend. He has encouraged me since the days of the youth sector. I have been a Milan fan since I was a child, Milan was my dream and I kept it close to me."
On his relationship with Stefano Pioli:
"There were some misunderstandings in the early days. It was not easy for me to learn how to play as he asked me. Then we talked a lot, we compared many things with each other and today I improved a lot, thanks to his teachings. We have an exceptional relationship, he is a great coach and a great man."
What can be learned from Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
"To give more, always. Zlatan makes the difference. You look at it and you feel stronger. He taught us to have the winning mentality, to be worthy of Milan."
On playing with the playstation:
"I'm bad. I was always losing, so I stopped. Then I don't like it, I don't enjoy it. Sometimes I wonder how my mates manage to be in front of the smartphone all day. It is better to take two steps in the open air, being with real people, in flesh and blood. Technology is important, the Internet is useful, but the real world is out there."
Calabria on his 'relationship' with social media:
"I don't love social media. I remained a country boy, and I am proud of it. Milano is a marvel, I love it, I live in Porta Nuova with my girlfriend Ilaria. But as soon as I can, I go home to my father Battista and mother Caterina, to my friends, the real ones. With them I walk through the fields, I go through vineyards."
Calabria on his passion for wine:
"I am a collector, wine has always fascinated me, it gives me a sense of the land, of the roots. My grandfather did it. He collected win in a cellar he had. Well, if I have a hobby it is oenology. I would love to go deeper. Who knows, maybe turning it into a job, when I stop playing football."
On what he would choose between qualifying for the Champions League with Milan and being called-up for the European Championships with Italy:
"I'll take both. Because I believe that one is related to the other. It is only by growing up with Milan that I can earn this. I still have to improve a lot. But if I go there it will be beautiful, it will be a double dream come true. I'll uncork a nice bottle, of my land, of course, together with dad."
