AC Milan versatile defender, Pierre Kalulu has done really well for himself as a full-back in the last game against Genoa. He has proved himself to be a really reliable player for Stefano Pioli in defence. The former Olympique Lyonnais player entrusted some statements with the journalist Carlo Pellegatti. Here are his words:
"My brothers? The week for us starts on Friday or Saturday, I watch my brothers' two games and then mine comes later. Then I have more pressure for them than for me. My parents? Now it's normal for them, but watching our games is a special thing. I hope everything goes well (laughs)."
Kalulu on his brothers again:
"When you are little, you always want to be like your older brother, because he is an example. They have lived things before me, so they can help me a lot and tell me things before I'm wrong."
On the youth team he played in:
"When you are little you always have the dream of being a footballer, but when you see your brother playing the most important games you understand that you want to be a player. I want to do everything to be ready for these matches."
He added:
"Dad and mom helped me, but maybe my father more because he follows football more. Then the brothers too, but my father followed my growth."
On his arrival to Milan:
"It was a strange moment. I knew there were great teams interested, then I saw Milan… but when Maldini and Massara called me I realised that perhaps the dream could become a reality."
On being a centre-back and full-back:
"During my career it is always a question that the coaches have asked me. I do everything to be strong and to play either full-back or central, the important thing is to stay in the starting 11."
On personality:
"People have told me that this is very Italian, perhaps because I always have faith in myself and I say that I have done everything to have all this. So I play without pressure and I want to do it well."
Kalulu on Stefano Pioli:
"The coach is close to us, he is a person who helps you on the personal aspect. When you arrive at Milan and you are young he helps you a lot, for me he will always be a different coach from the others: he made my debut and this is what I will always remember."
Who welcomed Kalulu at Milan?
"Kessie and Bennacer. I spoke to Ismael before arriving at Milan: when you arrive from the outside, if you have a reference and a mutual friend it is easier, so I spoke to him. Kessie, Leao, Saelemaekers are the ones who helped me the most."
On the goal against Empoli:
"With this audience, I was happy. Then some players caught me and we laughed, but it was a good feeling."
On Paolo Maldini:
"He is always at Milanello. He talks to me and gives me advice, he is an important person. When you can learn from these players you are always happy, it is a rewarding thing."
Kalulu on the strongest attacker he faced so far:
"Osimehn is a strong attacker, but any attacker I meet, I have to stay close to him. You must always be focused: Victor was fast and he was also very physical."
On the French national team:
"I hope to go to Qatar. When you arrive at Milan the goals grow. France have a great team and many strong players, but this is a goal and to achieve it I have to play well with Milan. You don't have to have limits and one must work for something big."
Next, there is a Coppa Italia derby. Kalulu said this about it:
"It will be a difficult match, I know it will be the details that will make the difference. We are ready for anything. Dzeko and Lautaro? They are very strong, we have to defend with the whole team. They are the most dangerous."
