In the latest episode of Gianluca Gazzoli’s BSMT podcast, former Milan full-back Alessandro Florenzi was the guest. Among various topics, he spoke about his experience at AC Milan. These were his words:
When did you find out there was a chance to join Milan?
"I found out there was potentially an opportunity to go to Milan when Ricki Massara called me. He had actually called me the day before I left for Valencia, but by then I had already given my word and had a flight the next day. There were Massara, Maldini, and Boban involved, and I told them I couldn’t do it. Then he called me again after my time at PSG and said, ‘Is this the right moment now?’ I said yes, also because at PSG I was on loan and would have gone back to Roma, in a situation where I was being sidelined. So at that point I went to Milan."
Florenzi added:
"After arriving, I suffered a tendon injury in my left hamstring, thankfully nothing muscular, and then in my final year I tore my right ACL and meniscus. But when I had the ACL and meniscus injury, I never thought about retiring. I thought about getting back up and playing again, but on my own terms and timeline.”
What kind of Milan did you find under Pioli?
"It was Zlatan’s Milan, with Giroud alongside him. Ibra really makes the difference. He raises the level in every area, mentally, physically, technically. If you misplaced a pass, you were done. I’ll tell you this: I think I earned Zlatan’s respect because he loves competition. He lives for it. During training he played a backheel assist to me and stared at me. I said, ‘What are you looking at?’ He replied, ‘Did you see what kind of assist I gave you?’ And I answered, ‘I get those every day.’ That’s where the challenge started, and it ended with, ‘But with Zlatan you won the Scudetto.’ So in the end, he won.”
On Zlatan Ibrahimović:
“From time to time he would speak up, and when he did, it carried weight. He did it occasionally last year as well when he was part of the management. In those moments, when he had to go in hard, he went in hard. You feel the impact. You also need to be good at explaining it and understanding it. Many young players aren’t yet ready to process that on their own. In the Scudetto season there was a balance: there were me, Kjaer, Ibra, Giroud, and then Leão, Theo, Calabria. If Zlatan said something that didn’t get through, the others stepped in to make it clear. Kjaer spoke English and French, Giroud French, I spoke Italian. That’s how a group is built, when young and experienced players fit together.”
Your role was important that year:
"You understand it when people look at you differently when you speak, when your words carry weight. When you realize that, you do everything possible to get your message across. To make someone understand, ‘I know you’re angry today because you didn’t play, but maybe there’s a reason. Maybe you’re not training well.’
‘It’s right for you to be angry. Put that anger onto the pitch.’ When I then see that person transform on the field, it’s like I’ve fueled him and he’s fueled me. That’s how trust grows. There’s energy. You feel it, but you can’t explain it. During the Scudetto season, I felt something. Last year, I felt there was nothing. Unfortunately, I have to say it. And then ninth place, coaching changes…”
How does a cycle like that come to an end?
"It was an important five-year cycle with the same coach. It’s like a flame going out. Either both sides are good at reigniting it, or it slowly fades. Many times I stopped, and I still do, I still talk with Rafa. I spoke a lot with Theo too. Especially in later years, I spoke often with Gabbia. Now he’s become a pillar for Milan, but I assure you that before, he even asked permission to go to the bathroom. I love him like a brother. I’m proud of what he’s doing and what he’s giving to Milan because I see him as a continuation, someone who has taken something from the older generations.”
How do you see Rafael Leão?
“For me, he’s incredibly strong, but we always end up saying the same thing: he’s the one who has to understand it. I hope he understands it soon, or that he already has, because you can’t keep saying you have to wait. That’s when it becomes complicated. What I’ve seen him do, I’ve seen great players do in great teams. Today there are many distractions off the pitch, but they’re now part of our lives.”
