AC Milan plays tomorrow an important first leg fixture against Red Star Belgrade. The Serbian team is coached by Dejan Stankovic who knows, Italian football very well given that he played for Lazio and Inter.
From the AC Milan squad, there is Rade Krunic who stands out in a way in view of this clash. He played in Serbia before and therefore knows Serbian football and Red Star.
For this occasion, Mozzartsport.com had an interview with the Rossoneri's Bosnian player through a telephone conversation. Here are his statements:
On arriving to play at Serbia after a bad defeat in the league against Spezia:
"I do not know what to tell you. After that game, we talked. I cannot say that we underestimated them or that we overtrained. We do everything as we have done so far and I really don't know how to explain it. We lost in a disastrous way. The team has not played this badly in two years, since I have arrived."
The defeat against Spezia came at a bad time when Inter won against Lazio...
"Hopefully we will the derby and everything will be at our side once again. I am convinced that they would have failed against Lazio had we defeated Spezia, it's just a feeling that I have. But, they had such a big opportunity to overtake us, they could not miss that chance. But of course there is a lot to play for."
Neither Krunic nor Milan are running away from the fight for the title, although no one really expected this from them. How did Milan take off like this?
"To be honest, from the beginning, there have been more or less the same players. The backbone of this team is from last year. When we did not obtain good results, it was clear that quality exists. Now it just comes to the surface. Because we are more of a team than before, we know much better what to do and that every player gets the most out of himself."
AC Milan showed great form since the resumption of the league after lockdown. How do you explain it?
"Let's say we had a step-up with the arrivals of experienced players to the club like Simon Kjaer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. We had a good team until then, but we had no leaders like Simon or Zlatan. They helped us and contributed to our way of playing like that. As for the story behind our physical fitness, well there was simply set a positive energy in the club. As soon as you start enjoying what you do, it is easier to endure the match. When results are good, everything else gets easier."
You mentioned the 'silent hero' Simon Kjaer, tell us more about his impact?
"Amazing! That's the right word. As soon as he came, the quality was seen. I remember him from before and he always delighted me. Honestly, I was surprised he didn’t play for Atalanta. Admittedly, they have some weird style of play and many players don’t get along. He brought us incredible security from the beginning. He is a true team leader. It was expected for Ibra, but Simon is the leader from the shadows. One of our most important players.
What about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's impact at Milan so far?
"It's fascinating how professional he is during training sessions. It happens to us that our trainings are sometimes stronger and more demanding than matches against some teams. It is something that is in Milan's genetics. Many had written off Ibra. As a 38-year-old then, he had injuries, went to America... But when he came, he immediately raised the self-confidence of players who are mostly younger. Of course, he has quality that should not be wasted. Of course, we players kept a close eye on that transition period because of him. I happened to have some information that he would come. I talked to Boban who said that all the dice would be put together as soon as Ibra came. That's how it was."
How does it feel like to train with Ibrahimovic?
"I have a feeling that all the rest of us are sometimes ashamed when we do something next to him. I can't describe it to you, nor could I believe it until I saw it with my own eyes. Come on, what is that strength? but how that strength is distributed? ... Usually, these tall players do not have that stature and movement as the shorter ones. He is incredibly built. Although he is 39 years old, none of us can compete with him in any exercise, whether they're exercises of strength, fitness, or anything else. He is a fascinating guy who defies nature."
Do you think that this young Milan is exactly what Ibrahimovic needed?
"Of course. If he went to another big club, he would have made a great reinforcement there as well. We all could hardly wait for him. Whatever he tells us now, we accept it without discussion. We're just following him. When he talks, we keep quiet and listen. And don’t think it’s some kind of fear. No, it is the respect and admiration that we all cultivate for such greatness. It certainly means something to him as well. He feels strong and he likes being the boss. Of course, he deserved it all by the personal example he provides. When there was talk of the Scudetto and those things, he was the only one who talked. None of us believed in it until he came. He kept saying that we would have fought for the scudetto if he had come earlier."
Does he really mean it when he talks like that? We also remember that statement that sounded utopian at the time. Is it possible that he really believes in all that?
"He is simply like that and has a high opinion of himself, and rightfully so. I guess you can see that this season. Of course, sometimes in the media he likes to talk a little more, but in general he is such a guy who is full of self-confidence. In addition to that faith in himself, he also believes in his teammates. Far from being selfish and thinking only of himself. He helps his younger teammates a lot and is really a real leader."
Some players like Calhanoglu and Rebic exploded in performance-terms since Ibrahimovic joined AC Milan. Thoughts?
"That's what I was talking about. That is true for Kessié as well as for a lot of players ... They always showed that they have quality, but they did not manage to emphasize it so much. The first Chalhanoglu: maybe he had too much burden of expectation on his back. When Ibra came, he felt relieved and I think that's the reason. Hakan is an amazing quality player who can play in any club in the world. Somehow we all settled well on the field with Ibra and everyone knows what he is doing. Of course, the merit of the coach is also great. In general, we all bear little credit for our efforts. There were bad matches, results, but now we have come to the point that we are among the favorites for the scudetto. It can only be done as a team and together."
These jokes are mentioned more and more often at the expense of the Balkans in Milan, and the label Milan-IĆ is being added because of Ibra, Rebić, you, now and Mandžukić. Are you a ‘team’ in the locker room?
"We are together almost all the time. Ibra knows the language. He is always with us, he improved the language which he almost forgotten. Now Manjo (Mandzukic) has joined us, so now there are four of us. The four of us are always together."
Somehow, coach Stefano Pioli remained in the shadow of Ibra, for whom this is the season of his life. What is he like as a coach?
"I will honestly tell you that this is the best coach I have had in my career. Of all the main and assistants. For players who do not play and who are not satisfied, someone else is always to blame, usually a coach. That is not the case with Pioli. I start from myself first. Once upon a time, when I wasn't playing, my coach was always to blame. At this moment, I know that Pioli is doing his best and that there is no guilt if I don't play. He literally sees what all of us players see. You have cases where players see something and the coach doesn’t see it. There is nothing that Pioli does not see and does not know. I haven't met anyone better. He would say he has a recognizably unrecognizable style of play. None of the opponents can break in the way we play. Is it a ball in air, a ball at the feet? ... We have different styles of play and that is what disturbs the opponents the most."
There is something ‘Angelottian’ in Pioli because he was once called ‘Normal one’ in Italy as opposed to Mourinho who is ‘Special one’. While Mourinho pointed out that he was Special, the humble Pioli tried to be Mr. Normal...
"He is first and foremost a great person. He does not act like a coach who directs his players, but he acts instead like a player. He's like our friend from the locker room. Just a normal and ordinary man who behaves with the modesty of an economist. Like he's not 'Mister'. He is the main person who decides everything and asks everything, but he does not show it aggressively. That is why we respect and love him so much. In the end, he is more deserving of all that we are players as we are now."
And Director Maldini? How much does it mean for the locker room when your director is a true football legend?
"I will never be able to thank him enough for giving me such an opportunity at Milan. And what kind of influence Paolo Maldini has on the players, I can hardly explain to you over the phone. Here is an example of Theo Hernandez: he had many offers, but when Paolo Maldini invited him, he had no dilemma because in a way he was his idol. Maldini's word has weight. He is with us every day and is always there for us. He watches us in almost every training session and game. Also, sports director Ricky Masara. Great man. Increasingly, the general director Ivan Gazidis, although that is not in the description of his job. The management is always there for us, whatever we need."
Milan's fans hope that Maldini could help Theo Hernandez to improve his defense as the best player of all time in that position...
"I have to tell you that Theo has improved his defensive game a lot. It happens today that sometimes it is forgotten and you have the feeling that sometimes he is not the left back but a winger. There is still room for improvement. and I believe he will get better. He is young, he likes to work and he is in good hands."
On the squad depth:
"It's a big change compared to the last season. Now our bench is much stronger and has a lot of quality players. When you see that this guy Jens Hauge is not in Europa League, and he is a great player and he played great in the Europa League, everything is clear to you. We have a lot of good and grateful players who can play more positions. In the European cup, it was no longer known who was the starter and who was the reserve. Everyone had an important role during the season. That is our great strength. Everyone feels important. If the boss tells me to play fullback, I will play it because we are all on the same goal."
Won't you get in trouble with Lalatović (Serbian coach) for saying that Pioli is your favorite coach? It is known how much Lalatović loves and appreciates you...
"I am really sorry that he never trained me. And I really adore him and I love watching him. The results speak for him on what kind of coach he is."
Lalatović wanted you in Zvezda (Red Star)...
"It was the first time then that I felt attached to Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) because he was the coach. I am sorry that it did not come true, but I must say that it was not up to me and him. Although I wanted to go to Zvezda, and it was mostly up to the management of Donji Srem (former club of Krunic). They did not want to let me go, and Zvezda was not in a good situation either. But let's not discuss that topic..."
This is not the first time you will play against Zvezda. You were already part of an interesting game...
"Yes, it was at the Marakana stadium and it was a party. I think that almost 40,000 fans came together and we equalized in the end in the last minute. Those are beautiful memories. I think that I gave a goal to Zvezda in Borac and that I didn't even celebrate it because I have a special respect for that club. Although I am a professional and I want to win, I could not celebrate the goal against Zvezda."
How did you feel when Milan drew Red Star in the Europa League?
"I was just happy. At that point, we had a club lunch. Although the phones were banned, I had to look at the draw. When we pulled out Zvezda, I jumped for joy. I was so happy that I couldn't help myself. I can't explain to them well what Zvezda is. They ask me if I played for Zvezda when I am so happy, and when I tell them that I am not, then they looking at me strangely. For me, it has a special meaning that I cannot describe."
Unlike previous times, now you are coming against Zvezda as the favorite. However, the idea is circulating among Zvezda's fans that the championship is more important to Milan than the Europa League...
"Of course we are the favorites and that is not in question. In general, we played the entire Europa League with a combined team. And so we played all the games greatly, except for that defeat against Lille. Sure, the championship is more important to us, but we will do our best to get as far as possible in the Europa League. We have enough good players who can rotate. After all, we are now used to the rhythm of two matches a week. We are favorites and it is up to us. But we have to be serious, unlike the previous game against Spezia. Of course, I do not underestimate Zvezda, which has a great team. I think the situation is reversed for us. As the championship is more important to us, this match against us is more important to Zvezda because I believe that it will be easier to win the domestic championship for them than for us. I have a feeling that Zvezda's game against us is literally everything and that they have been preparing for this for a long time. At least I got that impression."
Is there more talk in your locker room about Zvezda or the derby with Inter on Sunday?
"Honestly, about the derby. Of course, we go game by game. The boss said today that we have to think about Zvezda first, and then the story of the derby. But you know that the derby in Milan is everything", concluded Rade Kurnić his conversation, who is sincerely looking forward to returning to Belgrade and Serbia, the club he has been supporting since he was a child.
