Alexis Saelemaekers, Belgian right-winger of AC Milan, has entrusted the media with the following words in a press conference ahead of the Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb at the San Siro:
"Competition with Messias? It is important to have a player who plays in your place. It stimulates me a lot to try to do everything I can to try to be a starter, but in the end the coach decides. In the big clubs there are strong players, it's right that there is competition."
On his goal against RB Salzburg:
"When little, it was a dream to score a goal in the Champions League. Doing that is important, but it is also important to play our game."
Saelemaekers on Dinamo Zagreb's victory vs Chelsea:
"Every game is important, we don't look at what Dinamo did. We play at our level and the strongest will win."
On the current level:
"For me, it is important to play with a strong mentality and help the team. I try to give everything and help get the win."
Was the draw against RB Salzburg influenced by the game against Inter?
"We are always calm, then it can happen that even the big teams lose. I think if we play at our level we are a strong team and we can win the next games. We never look back."
Saelemaekers on the absence of Rafael Leao and if he can replace him on the left flank:
"I'm not the coach, he makes his choices and I respect them. I am a player. I just want to play, where? It doesn't matter: I will always give everything."
On his compatriot, Charles De Ketelaere:
"I see Charles very well in the team; he arrived calm and serene, sure of his abilities. I helped him on the off-court things which is one of the difficult things for a player who comes from a foreign country. He is a big player, I'm sure he will help the team this season."
Saelemaekers on the Belgian national team:
"For me, it is a great joy to play in such a strong national team. I knew we had great players, we are doing well in the national team and it is an extra experience for me to play in a great club and in a great national team."
