AC Milan has signed earlier this month Sandro Tonali on a permanent move after the initial loan transfer coming from Brescia.
The fans expect a lot from the player who is now perparing for the new season with his teammates.
Speaking to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sandro Tonali said the following:
On accepting to reduce his salary:
"I decided to reduce my salary because the desire to stay at Milan came first. The terms of the buy-option from Brescia had expired and we were starting from scratch. For me it was important to take a step towards Milan. There were other clubs, even with higher salaries to offer, but I'm happy here. Each player thinks differently. There are those who think about career and ambition, others about money. I believe that being well in a team is essential. At Milan I can achieve all my goals, I can have everything."
On his performance:
"This year you will see the real Tonali. What has changed? Quite simply, I grew a year on and off the pitch. We players and the coach have the advantage of knowing each other. The objectives do not change, we always aim high. Last season I could have definitely done better. It was not my best year, also because it was particularly complicated. Covid stopped me almost immediately, it took me a while to start. This year will be another story, even if I know I need to improve. There are no points of arrival, we always grow. The criticisms? It's not easy to stay waterproof... There will always be people who don't like me, and that's alright, you can't please everyone."
On coach Pioli:
"I have a good relationship with him, he's like a father. We are young, he knows which strings to touch, he knows us thoroughly. We work a lot together, we analyse the games played and we prepare for the next matches, we are really united."
On the goals:
"If we will fight for the first place in Serie A? Yes. We all fight for the same goal together. The Champions League? We want to go as far as possible. We come back after many years of absence and we know it won't be easy, but we are Milan. Europe is our home."
Tonali reveals what he learned from Kessié and Bennacer:
"I studied and they taught me a lot, even in training. They have grown a lot in Milan, they are a model for teammates."
On Ibrahimovic and Kjaer:
"They are two different people, but they both give a lot to the team. Playing with Ibra gives you inexplicable motivation, Zlatan charges you even if he doesn't play. He does it even now that he is not in training with us. He is always very present. He knows that we need him but that he needs us too, we are almost one. Kjaer talks and explains a lot on the pitch, he's a sort of a second coach."
Play in a midfield with three play or as a mezzala?
"Been a couple of years since the last time I played in front of the defense in a three-way midfield, but I think that both my teammates and I can move in all positions. The beauty of our midfield is this, there are no roles defined: everyone can play."
Which great midfielder would you like to play against one day?
"That would be Luka Modric. I have always admired him. Playing against him would be a real pleasure."
On the midfield competition:
"Having many excellent teammates doesn't have to create competition but offer input to give everything and improve. The bar must be kept high, it's good for the whole team."
On Paolo Maldini:
"Paolo (Maldini) is a pillar, especially now. We are young and he watches us train, we talk to him. He passes a special energy to us. When I signed the new contract we had a talk together, about myself and about Milan: the past year, the changes, and the future to build. It was nice."
On playing in a full San Siro stadium:
" I've been waiting for two years, full San Siro is the best, it will be exciting. I hope it will happen soon, and with as many people as possible, obviously in compliance with safety regulations."
Are you ready to take the set-pieces at Milan?
"I definitely am ready to take the set-pieces. We will decide with the coach and teammates."
If he misses scoring goals?
" I am not one who scores often, but it is a box to fill. The goal is always the goal, even for a midfielder who is happy if he sets up his teammates to score goals."
On the national team:
"The national team is a consequence of what you do with the club. The pitch will speak, we will see. I will work hard to be there."
Do you have a promise to give?
"First of all, I thank the club, because they have bet on me twice. I don't like the proclamations, but I can assure you that I will do everything to prove that I am worthy of Milan", concluded Tonali.
