Paolo Maldini spoke to Sky Sport in the post-match of Inter-Milan in the Champions League.
Do we need a deeper squad? "It's also a matter of time; this was the first semifinal for many of our players. In the first game, we entered with a lot of fear, and it was very clear to see. We were almost lucky that the game didn't end in the first half. These are all experiences. I always remember where we started from; sometimes people forget and think there is continuity from Berlusconi's Milan. It's not like that. There was that period that was very tough, and we did it not by doing crazy things economically, but with many cuts and sacrifices, and I must say that we are still proud to be here."
Do we need to raise the team's technical level to compete in Europe? Maldini said:
"Yes, we have players who need to grow. We have players from 2001, 2000, Leao himself is from '99. When you rely on players who don't have experience at this level, their performance sometimes suffers, that's clear. Also, we are not in a very good period; we are playing less well than last year when we deserved to win the championship against this Inter. But I have to say that between the Supercup and the Champions League, they were better than us."
On the transfer market and Charles De Ketelaere:
"De Ketelaere is an example of players who need to grow; it's normal. It would have been much easier and less burdensome for us to go for a player like Dybala at the beginning of the year. But would it have been a right purchase for our project? Would it have been right and shared by the ownership? No. We know that we have an idea and the desire to build a young and talented team. When you sign young players, there is a risk, a risk that they may struggle. It was the same for Tonali in his first year, and it has certainly been the same for Charles this year, but this is our idea of football, our idea of how to invest. It's something shared with the ownership. If I had to field a stronger lineup today, maybe I would have done a different type of market. But it's not like that because we have a project that we are developing together. It takes time, always being aware that we are Milan. We know this; who better than me can know that we have a great history on our shoulders?"
Why are you always in the headlines at the center of criticism when Milan doesn't win?
"I don't know if you remember my overall relationship (with the press). Let's say that I have great respect for the work of the press, but I have to find my own balance, we see what happens and the real things that are not influenced by the moment. Taking responsibility is a good thing, I have always liked it."
On Divock Origi and the striker market:
"Origi has everything to be a great football player. He has physicality, technique, speed, shooting ability with both feet. However, he struggles to make an impact in the opponent's penalty area, and this is a problem because he is a striker. Honestly, we expect a lot from him. We signed him on a free transfer, but it was a significant investment in terms of his salary. Watching him in training, we know what he is capable of. He is another example of an experienced player who hasn't been able to deliver what we expected. We brought him in to be an alternative to Giroud; that was a thought we had."
