Milan Reports is represented by Matt Santangelo today in the press conference with Zlatan Ibrahimoivc, Paulo Fonseca and Giorgio Furlani as well as Christian Pulisic present.
Here are the words ,as relayed by our correspondent in New York.
Here are Giorgio Furlani's words:
"First of all, we are American-owned company. So, our shareholders are from RedBird Capital... Number two, we are, according to surveys and statistics, the Italian club with the most amount of fans in the US and the Italian club with the best brand in America. We play tomorrow in the Yankees stadium, we have a partnership with the Yankees, they are also investors in AC Milan we have various collaborations. We put our content, games and more on the YES Network. We have 9 fan clubs between Canada and the US. We were here last year on the west coast for friendlies, and we are here this year, as you know, to play in New York, Chicago and Baltimore. All of this, to tell you guys with confidence, the most American club of Italian clubs and we are very happy to be here."
On transfers:
Furlani: "Last summer we had to completely overhaul squad because it wasn’t the squad we wanted. This summer, it’s different. We are more tactical and more patient and not in a rush. We signed our number nine which was an important addition. For the rest, we don’t really comment on exact names. We look at a lot of players and potential additions. The market ends at the end of August and we have a lot of time."
Pulisic also spoke in the presser, and here's what he had to say:
"One of the things that inspire me the most, yes I want to continue to grow. This sport has already come a long way since I've been playing in Europe last time here I think it's grown so much in this country and I hope it continues to do so. I think obviously some things are coming up, World Cup in America and things like that..."
Matt Santangelo for Milan Reports, Zlatan, Morata is coming in fresh off winning the Euro 2024, as a striker, what advice have you given him? I know there has been a lot about your impact on his decision to coming to play in Italy for Milan.
Ibrahimovic: "When you talk to the players, you need to make sure that they entering a comfort zone. As soon as you enter a comfort zone, it's easier to perform. I think he's happy. When a player is happy outside the field, he's happy also inside and it's easier to perform. Then obviously if you have the confidence of the coach, it makes it easier. When you play for clubs like Milan, there is competition, and it's only positive because it brings the best out of you, that means you give 100% to 200% everyday, or else the coach has two or three choices and for Morata, I said the perfect place to come is Milan because the number 9 spot is a position, not number because he's number 7, the number 9 position is the best place that we have available today and let's say with Jovic the players we needed and surrounding you, Leao, Okafor, Chukwueze, RLC behind him, he understood what he'll have. I don't want to talk about personal things, but we just want to make him happy. We are pretty confident that he'll do well. I don't know any player that was here and is not happy and doesn't perform and we make sure that they perform. So you just have to perform, and we take care of the rest. So we are just waiting for him to enter the squad. And, he's very welcome him with open arms, he just has to be himself."
Matt Santangelo for Milanreports: Pulisic, what are you looking forward the most in your second season in Milan?
Pulisic: "For me, I think obviously it was a strong season personally last year. But, for me, it's more about team goals this year. There are bigger things to achieve. We want to win trophies, these are the goals we have set in our minds and I'm just excited, like you said i've become part of this team, and this year i hope to show my confidence and win bigger things as a team."
Ibrahimovic also said:
"The passion in Italy, and I think Christian can answer now after 1 year here compared to Germany and England, the passion in Italy is bigger. It's such an important thing for Italians that you become part of their family. The fans you have in Italy, like, they get to be born for a club, like born a Milanista, for them Milan is everything. Imagine if you win for them, what you become. They just have to do their best, perform, so that I would say the passion does a big difference."
Pulisic responded to Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"Yeah I would agree with that. I definitely have seen it from the first game i played in San Siro. The mood of people changes based off results from the weekend, it's a big thing, the best thing you can do is win and you have the trust from fans, from Milan forever, so that's the goal."
Fonseca, how is Serie A different from when you coached Roma compared to now?
"The games have changed a lot in the last seasons. In italy, not different, I was in France for two years, and I didn't see all games in Italy but I see some differences. The other day, I saw Como, who were promoted to Serie A, and offensively, they are very very strong..."
Fonseca on Milan Futuro:
"I think Milan is preparing well for the future. Italy needs to prepare well for the future with producing new players. Milan gave a big step to help in this way. We, like Zlatan explained, we are almost the same team, they work like us and at the same time, and so many young players with us now and I'll be with attention to all palyers all the time. For me, players, if they have qualities and courage, they can play. the intention is to work with them and make them grow and to be ready to play with the main team."
Fonseca on Christian Pulisic's position and role, and also Ruben Loftus-Cheek:
"I think Christian can play in that number 10 position. RLC also can play in that position."
Zlatan on how he’s seen American soccer culture change:
“When I left, you got another big star in Messi. You have the World Cup coming, so that will be a big impact for the league. I see it as positive, the game is growing and in a better way.”
Zlatan also on pay to play in US:
"It was pretty expensive when I was here. In Europe, it’s free or a small price. It’s not the same. For me, football is for everybody. Football connects everybody and it’s the world biggest sport. Everyone should be able to enjoy it.”
Ibrahimovic also said:
"I obviously work from a differnet angle now, but at the same time, I try to be myself, so I'm not pushing for what I believe in and what my ambition is and what I stand for. I'm entering a different zone, with a lot to learn and a lot to give. I have good colleagues and we speak the same language, we believe the same things and follow the same strategies, and we are young, which I find good and positive as we are hungry and the will to make good things in a different and obviously with the American owner behind us we want to make the mix of Italian traditional way. The future is bright and I'm very ambitious because there a lot of things happening in the club, with new coach, new players, Milan Futuro. Obviously you have to think and judge differnetly as I am not part of the team in the field. The fans are 12th guy, and I'm the 13th, so I try to push from a differnet angle to strive for the same thing. That's the objective, and obviously when we play for a club like Milan, the objective are very high, the pressure is very high. We want to continue not just today, but tomorrow and after tomorrow, but I'm enjoying, that's the most important part."
