First in Serie A, AC Milan are hoping to continue with the winning ways until the end of the season. In this final stretch of the campaign, Pierre Kalulu has been playing a key part in the system of Pioli. He contributed with impressive and strong defensive displays and even with a goal against Empoli.
The 21-year-old French player has spoken to L'Equipe in an exclusive interview. He first started off by talking about playing with the Junior national team in the Euros in May 2021 and then in the Olympics in Tokyo in July 2021:
"I didn't realize it, but it's true! The Euro was a disappointment (elimination in quarters by the Netherlands, 1-2). The (Olympic) Games too (elimination in the group stage). It hurts at the time. but, with hindsight, it helps you. Then, we were keen to catch up with the Faroes (1-1, September 6, 2021). Now, you have no choice: small or big opponent, you go with the same intensity."
Some players refused to go to the Games to focus on preparing with their clubs. This didn't happen with you at AC Milan...
"It's different for me because those who hesitated had just been transferred. I had already spent a season at AC Milan and, when I discussed the Games with the directors, they were happy that I was representing my country and the club there. 'Want to play? OK, go!'"
Coach Sylvain Ripoll says you guarantee seriousness whether you play in the centre or on the right...
(He cuts)"That's what I'm looking for. Being reliable is what makes great players. I try every day to have a higher level of requirement. In Milan, the coach (Pioli) pushes me to be attentive to everything and you see the results. In my youth, I was never the expected player, the one for whom we make the effort to take the time if he is less well. I was often in the situation where, if it didn't work out, the train would leave without me. I had to plunge into work very quickly."
Kalulu, was it not risky to go to Milan where you could have been forgotten?
"I knew it might take time, but I was going to work to play. I was not necessarily afraid of failure in Milan because I could also stay in Lyon and end up in oblivion."
Your reunion with many players at Lyon in the national team... What does it mean for you?
We grew up together, we always send each other messages, it's like finding our childhood friends. And it's easy to play with Castello (Lukeba) , Max (Caqueret) , Amine (Gouiri, now in Nice) , Rayan (Cherki) , Malo (Gusto) because we speak the same type of football: when you have the ball, moves seem logical to you."
"It's always a source of pride to see successful Lyon players. When you see Benzema playing well, oh yeah, it's Lyon. Lacazette is also like that, there is a feeling of belonging."
Were you frustrated to leave Lyon?
"The dream was to all shine at the same time at Olympique Lyonnais. It hasn't been done, but if we can do it with the National Team, then it's even better. And, in terms of dreams, with Milan, I also set the bar very high... It was complicated to be alone, at the beginning. But it's a very pleasant city and when you have the AC Milan label, it helps a lot (smiles).
Kalulu on what stands out to him the most:
"The number of fans. You have to calculate your routes well, avoid the city center at peak times because it can be hot... Everywhere, there are a lot of people to welcome us to the hotel. My generation is less aware of it, but there are supporters everywhere, relatives tell me anecdotes of the great Milan of the 1990s... But in recent years, they never told me they were fans."
When you're an AC Milan defender, it means you train to play against Ibrahimovic and Giroud. Is it exhausting or rewarding for you?
"That's what gets you through. Zlatan, or Olivier, they always want to win. When they come into contact, you have your personal ego and you will respond... This gives you that hunger in training. There are races, duels and match intensity. All the time."
