Alexander Merkel, former AC Milan midfielder, gave an interview to the transfermarkt.it about his experience in the Rossoneri shirt when Massimiliano Allegri was in charge.
“There were high expectations of me and it didn't help me, especially as I was very young and inexperienced and had to pay attention exclusively to the pitch. It can be a nuisance at times, but it's part of being a pro and you need to be able to handle it. Even though I had never requested that kind of media attention, it was not an easy thing to manage. I can certainly understand why so many took an interest in me in those days. There was a lot of anticipation compared to what I could achieve but for me, it was just the achievement of a dream since I was training and playing alongside legends such as Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta, and Gennaro Gattuso ”.
“In 2015 I had an injury and it was a very bitter setback for me, considering how I had prepared myself in the first two months of Udine. It was my first major injury and I struggled to get back into shape. I saw my teammates training and having fun playing football and I was undergoing rehabilitation, not knowing when I would be back. The psychological aspect did its part. I thought 'What if it happens again?'. With this, I don't want to blame that stop for the fact that it didn't go the way I wanted. After the loan at the Grasshopper, I needed to cut it out, to change the scenery and I returned to Germany, to Bochum. It was the right choice for me "
Merkel currently plays for Al-Faisaly Harmah in Saudi Arabia, who are currently in the middle of the Saudi top league.
