AC Milan's full-back, Alessandro Florenzi, has spoken to the microphones of SportMediaset in a lengthy interview and said these words:
"Returning to the field after the injury? I'm happy to be back, this break was a godsend for me: I was able to continue working, but I did it on the field with my teammates. I grew physically and athletically, and now I feel ready to help the team even more."
On whether he had negative thoughts during his time away from the playing field:
"Yes, there was a moment when I thought about looking for other options during these months. But fortunately, my family made me think carefully about what I wanted, and the truth is that when I saw the ball again, all those thoughts went away."
Florenzi on what he can still offer:
"I can give a lot, and I feel like I can give a lot every day here. I'm ready to help everyone, first of all, I have to be well because then if I'm well, I can give a lot."
On the motivation after the injury:
"The motivation that drove me to recover during these months is a lot. It's always hard to see your teammates suffer from the outside and not be able to help them fully. You suffer even outside, but not like when you're in the locker room. Now I hope to be an important player for Milan, and that's why I'm here."
On the many injuries and the infirmary of Milanello, which is often full, Florenzi said the following:
"On this, I have a great teammate who is Zlatan. Between him and me, we have seen many interventions. But aside from the jokes, we all support each other, and we are a beautiful family."
On the coming matches against Napoli and the predictions against the Rossoneri:
"It's not the first game of three matches against Napoli. We have to think about one game at a time. Regarding the fact that we are disadvantaged and already defeated, it's something that they also said last year, and then many critics had to take back their words and jump on the bandwagon."
On people saying the Scudetto of last year was just lucky...
"What people say outside doesn't affect us much. The value of these rumors is little, we know that we have written an important page for Milan after a long time. We are a strong team, then there are years that go well and others that go less well. And sometimes you find other teams that find their turning point, like this year Napoli."
Is the goal finishing top four for you?
"At this moment, of course."
On the quarter-finals against Napoli:
"They will be two very tough matches against a strong team, but I don't think they celebrated so much when they drew Milan, also considering Milan's history in the Champions League and also looking at what we can do based on last year. These will be two great challenges that will bring an Italian team into the semifinals after a long time and this is also good for Italy."
On whether it is possible to beat Napoli...
"For me, no team is unbeatable."
On facing Spalletti as an opponent:
"I will hug him in the locker room, then we will be opponents but he will remain one of the most influential coaches I have had in my career."
On being linked to Napoli after the PSG experience:
"Me and Spalletti had a chat, but there was nothing concrete. We just exchanged a few words."
On how to stop Khvicha Kvaratskhelia:
"He is a very talented player who is making a difference", said Florenzi, "I think he can be stopped more by the team collectively than individually, but we must think about how to stop Napoli as a team rather than just one player."
On Milan's perception of its European DNA:
"I think external pressure plays a big role in this as well. I have lived in big cities and played two Champions League semi-finals, with Roma and PSG, and I felt the same things there too. Many people think that playing in the Champions League is different from playing in the league, but simply because in the Champions League you play everything in two games and in the league you play it in 38 games. But the team's approach is the same, we consider the match against Napoli in the league just as important as those in the Champions League."
On Rafael Leao:
"Rafa is always very calm. I hope for him and for us that he can make a difference on Sunday. He too knows how important he is for our game, I'm not saying that we are clinging to him because no individual is a team so together with him we must try to find ourselves too to play a good game."
On ending his career at AC Milan, Florenzi said:
"Let me get to Sunday and then we'll see..."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"He is bionic. What I saw him do last year, I have never seen anyone else do. Even from the outside, his presence alone gives you a boost, he helps you. He always tries to bring out the best in us and also in himself."
On the difference between Luciano Spalletti and Stefano Pioli:
"They have different personalities, but when they get angry, they are quite similar and they make themselves heard. Perhaps Spalletti is more fiery. On the pitch, they have two different playing styles."
On the possibility of playing as a right-winger again, Florenzi stated the following:
"Why not? I'm open to everything. There is no problem, I can play in any position, even as a striker."
