AC Milan striker Valentina Giacinti has given a long exclusive interview to Corriere della Sera on which she spoke about her outstanding performance last game, her idols, equaling Altafini’s record on the Derby della Madonnina and much more.
Here are her words:
On Altafini’s message:
"He sent me an emotional message: 'Bravo Vale, I'm glad you equaled my record, but now you have to also score four goals against Juventus' "
On Juventus:
"Yeah, They are more compact, they have more international experience and in the games that matter: it is the old block of Brescia’s players that went to Juve and the plays at the national team. But Altafini's words motivate me to work harder and improve myself".
On the AC Milan's midfield trio:
"With Verónica Boquete and Yui Hasegawa in midfield we have great quality. And then there’s Fifi Jane from Soweto, a bomb of energy: a hug of hers changes your day."
On her role models and idols in the game:
"My ideal striker is Marco van Basten. When I was little, despite the fact that I’m from Bergamo and cheered for Atalanta, Christian Vieri was my idol. Today they say that I look a bit like Álvaro Morata, a little like Ciro Immobile and a bit like Filippo Inzaghi. Pippo I don't know him, but I'd love to meet him."
On what she would ask to SuperPippo Inzaghi:
"I would ask him why he always exulted that way, always rabid but with a smile on his lips. And then how did he float on the offside line. Who was he watching to stay onside? What point of references did he have?"
On the last game and her outstanding performance:
"I went on the pitch focused on myself. I wanted to respond to certain criticisms. The first goal was header and, well, it’s not exactly my specialty. Then the penalty. After the third I took off my shirt, I was only on my bra: spontaneous reaction, angry, but what a feeling! Verónica Boquete comes up to me and says: ‘watch it or you’ll get a second admonition!’ On the fourth goal I said to myself: it's my day!"
Image credits: acmilan.com