AC Milan's star, Rafael Leao, spoke to the media in a press conference ahead of the away match against Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow in the Champions League matchday 2.
Here are his statements:
On the meaning of wearing the captain's armband:
"It’s always a pride to be the captain of Milan. I’ve been here for six years. When I play with this jersey, it’s always a responsibility, but when I wear the armband, even more so."
On the commitment to the defensive phase:
"From day one, the coach didn’t talk to me about goals and assists, but he wanted me to improve defensively, to be more focused on defensive work: it helps me become a better player. Even while we were on our way here, he showed me a couple of videos in the car. He’s someone who’s really helping me a lot."
On Olivier Giroud’s words about him:
"My personality is reserved, I’m shy, and I don’t like talking much. When I’m the captain, maybe I talk a little more before the match and on the pitch, but my strength is to respond with my qualities and help the team with goals and assists."
Leao, what did coach Paulo Fonseca show you?
"He showed me off-the-ball actions, positioning to close in on the far post. More defensive things."
On Milan's objectives:
"It's better to think one game at a time; tomorrow is difficult and important. Winning in the Champions League is important; it's a very beautiful scenario. It gives us confidence."
Do you aim for a great goal or many defensive recoveries?
"I want to win", explained Leao, "if winning requires sacrifices, doing things for the team, then that's what I’ll do. The details are very important in these matches. These things make the difference."
Do you prefer scoring a great goal or making many defensive recoveries?
"I want to win; if winning requires making sacrifices and doing things for the team, then so be it. The details are very important in matches like these. These things make the difference."
Paulo Fonseca didn't show Inter videos before the derby: are you feeling more courageous?
"I wasn’t surprised. We already know how Inter plays, and the coach didn’t want to overload us with too much information: it was a match to go there and win; it’s a derby. I hadn’t won in two years, and in my mind, I wanted to win: I didn’t want to be the protagonist but to help the team and win. We are more compact and more of a team; we don’t give space to the opponents in the middle: I feel better defending without the ball this way, and I think the others feel good with this tactic as well."
What do you think of Victor Boniface and Bayer Leverkusen in general?
"I know Boniface, and Chukwueze talked to us about him this week: he’s a dangerous, technical striker. We need to be careful. But we have to be prepared for the whole team: all the Bayer players play well, including the full-backs Grimaldo and Frimpong. We shouldn’t be scared of Boniface, but we must respect his abilities."
Photo credit: Riccardo Cominello for Milanreports.com
