Marco Sportiello, the protagonist of the match against Juventus last week, spoke to SportMediaset and said these words:
Is the save on Vlahovic or the double on Kostic and Danilo more difficult?
"Those weren't difficult saves, but what, in my opinion, a goalkeeper should do. The important thing is to be ready, and then the double save was nice, it adds a bit more flair: if I have to choose one, I choose that."
What was special about that save?
"It was unexpected to play, maybe it was better that way because I broke the ice immediately. It's been tough months, I had an injury, and I'm not used to being injured and being sidelined for so long. Then the important thing is to be ready."
How was Milan's season? Sportiello commented:
"There were these disappointments in the Europa League that weighed heavily, because then I believe we had an important season in the league, where we found an Inter too strong, more due to their merits than our demerits. Then surely we could have done better in the Italian Cup and in the Europa League, also because in the Champions League with that group it's normal to exit with Dortmund and PSG, who are now semifinalists. The Europa League has had a big impact: there was a lot of disappointment in that week, including the derby."
What do you think about the fans' protest?
"The fans are a twelfth man for every team. Surely it will be a special atmosphere, it's not what we wanted, but we go on the field to win every game and we have to show the people outside that we are here and that we want to finish well, that we are here."
In the first leg against Genoa, Olivier Giroud played as goalkeeper...
"It was phenomenal, it was an incredible evening. He showed a lot of courage in making that intervention, I would have stayed in goal because there you risk conceding a penalty and you have to have the right carefreeness... Giroud saved the result, it was a great evening."
Did you always want to be a goalkeeper?
"I was always determined to be a goalkeeper, I loved diving into the mud and getting dirty, even if my mother was less pleased..."
Who was your idol? Sportiello answered:
"Never mind Buffon, who is the best by far, I grew up with Sebastiano Rossi; I didn't aspire to follow his career, but he fascinated me a lot and he was my childhood idol."
What does it mean for you, as a Milan fan, to play at San Siro?
"It's always exciting, both as an opponent and as a Rossonero... My first game here was incredible."
Will you find more space in these last few games?
"Yes, but until we have the certainty of second place, we will play with the best possible lineup. Then we always have to be ready."
