AC Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic spoke exclusively to Tuttosport ahead of an important and delicate clash against Juventus, the first major test of the season.
Pavlovic, you have now started your third season with Milan. Considering the comings and goings of recent seasons, you can now be considered a senior figure in the squad.
“I really like being here and I feel very comfortable in Milan. I’ve settled in well with my family in the city, although since my son was born, I spend most of my time between home and Milanello.”
Did any clubs try to convince you to leave Milan this summer?
“There are always opportunities, every summer, and that happens to every player. But I didn’t want to leave. When I first spoke to Amorim, I understood that I was an important player for him. A contract renewal? I’m happy here and I want to stay.”
What was Amorim’s impact like in the dressing room?
“He’s still a young coach. I like him because you can tell that he understands very well what footballers think and feel. On the pitch, as is right, he’s demanding and expects the maximum from us, but away from the pitch he’s a kind and friendly person.”
The Portuguese coach has very different tactical demands from Massimiliano Allegri. Is it difficult to change your style of play?
“We’re all professionals and, to varying degrees, we’ve had different coaches throughout our careers, with different working methods. We need time to learn, but I think that after two months you can already see some improvements.”
Last season, you explained how important Allegri had been in helping you develop as a defender.
“Absolutely. I think it’s fundamental for a defender to have experience in Italy, and Allegri is one of the best coaches when it comes to teaching the defensive phase. With Amorim, we play more with the ball, so I can certainly improve in other areas.”
You were used to having an attack-minded coach like Jaissle at Salzburg. Do you see any similarities?
“In some aspects, I have to say they are similar. I’m thinking about the way we set up without the ball and the constant pressing. But other things are different. With Amorim, we defend with three at the back, whereas with Jaissle we played with four.”
Against Torino and Venezia, you ventured forward with the ball at your feet less than you did under Allegri. Is that something Amorim has asked you to do?
“The way we play has changed. Before, we sat deeper and launched counter-attacks, whereas now we play higher up the pitch and I have more space behind me to cover. Previously, I could attack knowing that I had more teammates behind me, whereas now I know that if I push forward, I can leave my area exposed. Also, after two years, opponents know my characteristics, so it’s harder to surprise them.”
So does that mean you’ll score fewer goals? You scored two in your first Serie A season and five last season.
“Look, if I never score but we win every game, I’m perfectly happy with that.”
Speaking again about Allegri and last season, have you found an explanation for the collapse in the final months?
“It’s difficult to explain. Even today, I still don’t understand what happened against Cagliari on the final matchday. We were at home, in front of our fans, against a team that had already secured safety. As Allegri used to say, the Devil invented football. In any case, I think it all started with the defeat to Lazio after our win in the return derby. That was the decisive game if we wanted to get back into the title race, but we lost and I think there was a mental knock-on effect. On top of that, we thought we were certain to qualify for the Champions League anyway, and we lowered our level of concentration.”
Did Modric’s injury, which ruled him out for the final month, have an impact?
“A lot. Luka was and still is the heart of the team.”
You won’t find your friend Vlahovic in Turin tomorrow evening.
“I have to say that we haven’t faced each other as opponents very often. When he was on the pitch, I was on the bench, and vice versa; we probably crossed paths for about 30 minutes. To be honest, I thought he would find a team in one of Europe’s top five leagues, but he must have had his reasons for going to Besiktas. I think reuniting with Italiano, the coach under whom he broke through at Fiorentina, played a part. I wish him all the best.”
Can we expect a better Juventus-Milan match than the games we saw last season? Pavlovic answered:
“They were two different 0-0 draws. In Turin, we deserved more, we missed a penalty and Leao had two great chances. The return match was different; it was a really poor 0-0. It will be a complicated game nonetheless. Juventus are a good team and, in my opinion, they can fight alongside us not only for a place in the Champions League, but also for something more. There are six or seven teams who can win the league. Inter are the favourites, but it will be a great battle.
“That’s one of the great things about Italian football. We’re no longer 20 or 30 years ago, when Serie A was like today’s Premier League. In England, they have more money and it’s difficult to compete with them, but in my opinion, the Italian league comes next. It’s more evenly balanced and there are surprises. In Spain, France and Germany, it’s always the same teams winning.”
Returning to Juventus, which Bianconeri player concerns you the most?
“Conceição is difficult to contain. He’s fast and can shoot with both feet, but I think this year his marking will be more the responsibility of Bartesaghi or Estupiñán. I really like Bremer and Lucumí, two of the best defenders in the league.”
Speaking of defenders, Gila has arrived. What do you think of the new signings?
“I like Mario, he’s strong, just like Ramos. And I’m sure I’ll discover the others soon as well. But I want to say a word about Cissé, because he really surprised me. He’s young, but he looks like he already has 200 Serie A appearances behind him.”
Cardinale will be in Turin tomorrow. How important is his presence at the start of this season? Pavlovic answered:
“It’s always nice when an owner is so close to the team. We’ve all had the opportunity to speak with him several times. You can see that he’s happy, enthusiastic and fully committed to experiencing this adventure first-hand. And he doesn’t want to see another season like the last one.
“He wants to win, just like all of us. We want to do well in the league and try to go all the way in the Europa League, because we are Milan.”
