AC Milan's midfielder, Tommaso Pobega, was interviewed by Carlo Pellegatti for StarCasinòSport. Here are his words which were relayed by Milannews.it:
How did you experience the move to Milan as a child?
"It was wonderful news. My parents wanted to keep me in the dark until things became concrete, but when they told me, it was an immediate yes. My mom was a bit scared to send me from Trieste to Milan, but I always saw it as an adventure, a challenge, and I found a magnificent environment."
Trieste, for Nereo Rocco and Cesare Maldini, is a very 'rossonera' city...
"There is a connection. I used to play with Petagna's brother, and seeing him, I had this connection between Trieste and Milan."
Who was your idol?
"I have always been a midfielder, running all over the place... My idol was Schweinsteiger: I was as blond as him, and I tried to identify with him."
How were the first days at Milan?
"At the beginning, I had fear and apprehension, with Bertuzzo as the coach. I was anxious to know how things would go, and fortunately, it turned out to be a wonderful journey."
You are an example of how one can play football and study... Pobega responded with the following:
"I owe a lot to my parents; they gave me a strong work ethic as an important piece of personal growth. At first, it was partly to not disappoint them, but then it became my ambition. I chose my thesis on the 'Fondazione Milan' because I liked the exam and the supervisor, and I liked the perspective of a club that is not just a number on the balance sheet but a whole context behind it; Milan is a strong example of this."
Did you fear not returning to Milan when you went on loan?
"I would be lying if I said no, but it has always been a journey, and the club has always been very clear. I wanted the transfers because I wanted to grow and improve. It was a shared path between me and the club."
How has this year been?
"I knew the club and everything a player needs to do to be ready for all the commitments, and I found that here. I found a group, both staff and players, of a very high level. The expectations are high, and we have all the right elements to meet them."
Was the first goal against Dinamo Zagreb more exciting or the one versus Roma?
"In my opinion, I enjoyed the one with Roma more... With Dinamo, it was a whirlwind of emotions, and I didn't understand anything; during interviews, they asked me to describe the goal, and I couldn't remember it", said Pobega, "With Roma, I was more aware, and I remember what I thought. After the goal, I looked up, saw the Curva in delirium, and it was beautiful."
What do you need to improve?
"I need to improve in the clarity of my choices, in my passing, and avoid silly mistakes. I am a generous player, I try to give my all, to help my teammates."
You have had many important coaches...
"I have been fortunate to have different coaches who have enriched me in many ways. That's what made it great. With Italiano, in my first year in Serie A, I worked a lot on body posture, technically, going to cover the second post, how to accompany the play. With Juric, it's more physical work, improving awareness by constantly playing one-on-one. Pioli has a different approach: he helps me a lot in finding aspects to improve, when to work on them or when to focus more on physical recovery, considering the many commitments."
Pobega, what surprised you about this Milan?
"It's undeniable that we are a team that never gives up, that has fought, and has come together in difficult matches, pushing towards the goal. Sadly, we had to stop in the Champions League semifinals, but it was a beautiful journey. The nights at San Siro were thrilling, in a truly magical atmosphere."
Do you want to be the Triestino who brings the second star to Milan?
"That would be a dream."
