Alvaro Morata, the new AC Milan striker, has spoken in a press conference to the media. Here are his words:
What are the feelings?
"Thanks to everyone who brought me here. I had several opportunities to return to Italy over the years, but as soon as I spoke with Zlatan and the coach, there was no thinking about it. No team wanted me as much as Milan did. It felt like I was already part of Milan during the Euros. I need trust and to feel connected. I have no problem if someone comes up one day and tells me, 'You’re playing badly.' The coach, the club, and Ibra have shown me that they believe in me. It's hard to find a club with this organization, and I can’t wait to get on the field. I can’t promise titles, but I will run like a dog to press and help my teammates: a leader pushes his teammates to their best."
Had there been an idea of Milan in the past? Who inspires you from Milan?
"Ibra is one of my biggest idols; I always asked him everything through friends. It makes me dream to be next to him. I spoke with Kakà, Sheva, Pato, and David Beckham: they told me that you can see there’s something different at Milan. A large part of football history has been written here."
You’re coming off the best scoring season and the Euros. What do you expect personally?
"To win. I don’t care about scoring 50 or 60 goals. There are players who score millions of goals but win nothing. Winning is what matters. We’re in a team game, and there are many strong players in this squad. Yesterday, when I entered Milanello, I understood the atmosphere, and I can assure you that I can only get better. But scoring goals isn’t what concerns me. I want to bring the second star and make history. I know these are the last years of my career, but they’re the best ones."
He added:
"I am very happy and excited. Even at Milan, they will see that it was a good decision to sign Morata."
About Serie A...
"The championship has grown a lot, every year it is more beautiful to watch. Each team is well prepared."
On the victory against Inter last year...
"The victory against Inter last year? It was a great satisfaction, I have to tell the truth."
How do you find Juve?
"I’m grateful and thank them for what they did for me. Friends are friends, but when you go out for dinner, you say goodbye after the games: sometimes not because you’re pissed off for losing. Now I’m a Milan player. It’s another adventure now."
Does this Milan resemble Spain?
"There are very similar players. Some of them could become among the best in the world, if they’re not already. The coach is very similar in terms of playing style. It’s important for me to fit in well with the team, and my teammates will understand who I am. I don’t want goals and the spotlight; I want to win."
About Theo Hernandez, how do you find him now and what did he say about Milan?
"I’ve always had a great relationship with Theo: he’s a fun, open person. I went on vacation with him, for two or three days. I hope he has put fuel in the scooter because it’s crucial for this team. He can also make the final leap in quality. He has the characteristics and potential to be the best left-back in the world, and I’ll try to remind him every morning."
What do you think of Paulo Fonseca? Have you heard from Massimiliano Allegri?
"I’ve talked to the coach several times, even at length. I didn’t need much more information to make the decision. His idea is very similar to what I like and where I know I can give my best. I haven’t talked to Max (Allegri); when I see him, it will be fun because he’s always helped me a lot."
How will the return match against Juventus be? Morata said:
"This is part of football: if you go to a theater and you don’t like what you see... Whistles are fine if you deserve them; insults from opposing teams are normal. I’ve never gone to a place in Italy and felt a lack of respect when I was with my family."
How can Milan help you experience football again?
"If I’m here, I’m sincere, it’s for this reason. The emotion of being called by Milan, by Ibrahimovic. I could have gone to earn money or relax. I’m in the perfect place, at the perfect age: to spend 5 or 6 years doing well and winning."
How much of a weight is the number 7 and Olivier Giroud's legacy?
"I don't have to think about the weight. Since the moment you step into Milanello... Olivier was a teammate at Chelsea and I had the chance to learn from him and share things with him. When it was almost all done, Ibra sent me a video, and I had goosebumps with all the goals from the best players, many of whom played for Milan."
Can your experience add something extra to Milan and the locker room?
"I need to have the will to win and know how to do it. The last Euros told us that we were very young and that it was impossible: in the end, you have to believe in it and work hard. With all this, you can go anywhere. That's why I can't wait to integrate into the group and remind everyone of their worth every morning. I like to see others working, dreaming, and happy."
What kind of team suits Alvaro Morata's style of play?
"Certainly one that goes along with his ideas. I think that with the quality in this team, we need to take the space away from the other teams: if we press with ten players, I think it will be very difficult for the others. When you press and press, it's very difficult for the others to play. Without the ball, you have to put on the work clothes."
Are you the player everyone wants to coach?
"I'm not a selfish person: I always bring a positive dynamic. I play as a central forward and when I am substituted for another player, I am the first to hug him. I like to win and enjoy the moment with teammates whom I see every day: we create a family."
About Francesco Camarda:
"I met him today. I've watched his matches: he has scored many more goals compared to when I was in the youth teams at Real. I just want to help him, help him grow: he will be the future, or maybe the present; in football, you never know. Maybe I'll sit on the bench for him. I just want to help the young players: I'm someone who jokes with the young ones but also gets upset if they don't do things well."
