Álvaro Morata, AC Milan striker, spoke to Sky Sport Italia on the eve of the Champions League match against Liverpool.
Here are his statements:
What does it feel like to play the Champions League at San Siro?
“I’m very happy to be back in Italy. The Champions League is different, you look at the ball with the stars on it and you understand it’s something special. There's a lot of history here, and it fills me with pride when I eat and look at the photos of Maldini, Ibra, Kaká, Shevchenko, Ronaldo. This is a responsibility we must take on, enjoy, and most importantly, defend. We are Milan, and we must have a great Champions League.”
Do you feel like the atmosphere is different here with the Champions League?
“Yes, it’s different. If not here, where it’s been won 7 times, then where else? In the end, I think when you wear this shirt, you're obligated to give everything and leave everything on the field, without thinking about the next match. Tomorrow, we need to play as if it’s a final for us.”
How are you feeling now? Are you ready for Liverpool and the Derby? Morata said:
“These are the matches that give you extra motivation in the locker room, you can already feel it. There's no need to say more, these are the matches you played on PlayStation as a kid. You can win or lose, but what you cannot do is come home tomorrow night and not be completely exhausted.”
What kind of team is Liverpool? What moment are they and you going through?
“All changes require a certain amount of time. In the end, the coach has changed here, new players have arrived. This club doesn’t give you much time, but we’ve also had some unfavorable situations where the ball just didn’t go in. That’s football; we’ve done some things well. Now we have to understand that we’re in a different mode and we need to keep going this way.”
Are you excited for tomorrow? Morata replied in the following way:
“Yes, of course. The first thing I did when I arrived at Milan was go to the store and get my shirt with the Champions League patch. As a kid, I had a Kaká shirt, and I still remember that goal in Manchester, one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. A wonderful memory, so of course it excites me. I want to do very well throughout the Champions League.”
Your first Champions League match is immediately a historic challenge.
“I knew I would get a historic match right away, and I also knew I’d be going back to Spain. That’s how fate always works with me. These are beautiful moments, and I can’t wait for tomorrow to come, to get on the bus, see all the fans like last year, and then head to the stadium.”
