Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini spoke on official Milan channel live on Twitchabout the challenges between the Rossoneri and Manchester United past and present and some members of the squad.
On Milan-Manchester Champions league match in 2007:
“I was now watching the replica of the return match in 2007. When we are interviewed sometimes we also say things that are not true or trivial, but I hope you believe me when I tell you that it is not often in the life of a footballer to play matches like that, in that context, in those situations “.
On how excited he was against United:
“We have had several experiences like that at the San Siro but there are special evenings where players were charged to play although it was difficult for others to play there that night ”.
On tomorrow’s match:
“Milan must know there is no advantage despite the result achieved at Old Trafford, in 2007 we started at a disadvantage, and that triggered something. I hope the Rossoneri will not make the mistake United made then as they are built to play and not speculate. Manchester United is a strong side but if you play well they struggle but I am sure Milan will do well tomorrow”.
On United’s biggest threat:
“Rashford will be a threat to Milan and they have to be wary of him, he can create problems as Bruno Fernandes did in the first leg. He has not scored but he can do it at any time, I doubt they will start tackling. I expect a balanced game, Manchester is a team that starts again more than imposes. The result of the first leg does not change the balance of the game but they will have to respect Milan even more because they have seen little of it in the first leg. They will try to punish the Rossoneri from the start and Milan will have to be careful when they have the ball”.
On Kessie:
“In my opinion, the emphasis must be placed on technical quality and the way he is on the pitch, from a physical point of view his overwhelming power is evident. He has improved due to continuity in his performance and he has the ability to do the right thing at the right time. The team relies on him, the role of the leader has taken it slowly and has never left him. We see that it is a point of reference. The growth has been exponential, but it was already clear that the player was of a high level ”.
On Bennacer:
“The Algerian has missed a lot of matches due to injures but he complements Kessie well in the middle. They had dynamism, technique, they understood how to divide up the tasks. Tonali had physical and reference problems, Meite did not do well at first but now they are growing. Now we must not think that after so much absence Bennacer can start again as he had finished. Tomorrow’s match gives Milan the opportunity to rotate the squad ahead of a busy schedule”.
On Tonali and Kessie partnership:
“I had the same experience with Rino Gattuso, at the beginning we were almost each other’s alternative. He was the starter and I was the reserve, but we played together many times. He was very good at helping you and he understood when you were in trouble. So I understand Tonali’s words about Kessie”.
On Ibrahimovic:
“Ibrahimovic is good, although as a public figure sometimes judgments are superficial. There are some people who are clear and others who show only a little of themselves. However, we understand that he is a fundamentally good person”.
On Pippo Inzaghi’s secrets:
“Pippo was strong, he saw where the ball was going before others and only a few had those skills. To know all his superstitions it would take 7-8 hours of broadcast. He had a few rites and fixed ones that he never denied having. The famous nose for goals, he had particularly marked. The little he had made if you put it in twenty years of a career becomes a lot. It is something you have, it is not taught. The DNA we have is that when you are born in a certain way more you do not change. We got along well in the middle of the pitch because we had different characteristics, we complemented each other”.
On his favorite Milan goal:
“I would say my goal at PSV but then it’s not like scored many. I also scored a beautiful one in the Italian Cup that no one remembers, I stopped the ball and scored with a left-footed strike. If you don’t believe it, it’s on my Instagram profile” Ambrosini added.
