The new Milan number 12, Adrien Rabiot, was interviewed by Claudio Raimondi of SportMediaset during his meeting with Rossoneri fans at the Flagship Store on Via Dante.
Only three games and you are already a fan favorite:
"I like all this, the relationship with the fans is very important. It’s true I arrived recently, I have played three games. We won, there is enthusiasm, people are happy and that makes me glad."
You immediately put all your experience to work for the team:
"As I said, I know the coach well, the whole staff, their way of working, their mentality. So it was fairly easy to integrate into this group. It’s true that physically I wasn’t ready because before Bologna I hadn’t played a match for almost a month, but there was a lot of desire and enthusiasm, and I keep working to regain full fitness. I feel good but I can still improve. Everything is good, I’m very happy with what has happened and is happening."
How has Massimiliano Allegri changed? And your relationship with him? Rabiot answered:
"Our relationship is the same, even after Juventus we kept in touch. He is very close to his people, his players, so we stayed in contact outside. He called me all summer. We talked more than once, and when what happened in Marseille happened, he called me immediately to come here. But he already wanted me at Milan before that."
Is something important taking shape? Is Milan’s midfield one of the most technical in Serie A?
"Yes, definitely. We are very strong players, like Modric of course, like Ricci who is a strong and talented player. Fofana also has pace and power. Ruben (Loftus-Cheek). I don’t know Jashari well yet, but he seems to be an excellent player. We have quality, also upfront. We will aim to be solid because that is the most important thing. Then with the team and our quality, we will score many goals."
Does Massimiliano Allegri ask you to score?
"At Juventus he asked a lot about this. Two years ago, my last year at Juve, I did very well in goals and assists. Last year at Marseille, 10-11 goals and assists too. I like joining attacks and scoring, but it’s not an obsession. I know for a player like me, a midfielder, it is important. But if we score and win, I honestly don’t care who scores."
Sunday Milan - Napoli: how do you feel about it and how important is beating the Italian champions?
"It’s certainly an important match. It’s not the most important of the season, but it’s motivating. There’s nothing to say, because we feel it. We prepare one match at a time. What I like about the coach is that he prepares the Coppa Italia match against Lecce the same way he prepares against Napoli, with the same enthusiasm and drive. I think that’s right, and we will play to win. But we shouldn’t think that winning, drawing, or losing decides the championship. The season is long, it will be difficult, but we can keep winning, and that is important for confidence, for the young players here, for our progress."
Will Milan fight for the Scudetto?
"We see the matches one by one and then in February, March, we will see where we are. We know we must work, develop many players, and build this group. There is enthusiasm but we don’t want to add pressure or say too much. There are strong teams, like Napoli who won last year, so they are the strongest in Italy. But I can say this: we will fight to do our best. I promise."
Is the “wild horse” back? Rabiot commented:
"Yes, the wild horse is back. But this followed me in France too, they also called me ‘the Duke’. I like that a lot. Scoring against Napoli? Let’s hope."
