Riccardo Sottil, today coming on at the end in the unprecedented role of right-back, spoke to DAZN at the end of Lecce-Milan. His statements:
Emotionally, what are you experiencing in this period?
"Surely it was not a positive period for us. Tonight it was not easy to react after the two disallowed goals, then at 2-0 for them, we managed to turn it around: this is a group of great workers and great men, today we gave a good signal for the continuation from here to the end of the match."
On the unprecedented role:
"The coach sent me to warm up and told me that he wanted to put me in that position. I am at the disposal of the coach and the team and I go in where he asks me to go in."
What has been the impact with the Milan world, beyond the results?
"When you hear about Milan from the outside, it is one thing, but when you are inside, you understand how big this club is and how important its history is. I have a special regard because as a little kid I grew up watching Milan, I was and am a Milan fan, so for me, it was a great pride to be able to wear this shirt. The right word for Milan is ‘greatness,’ but it is not me saying it, it is its history and its trophies. Being here for me is an honor, and I am very happy to wear this shirt."
Who did you watch as a child from that Milan?
"I also said it in the press conference when I arrived, when I was little, 10-11 years old, I had a soft spot for Pato. I remember his debut against Napoli, I was with my father watching the match on the couch. It excited me a lot, I really liked watching his plays. That was a Milan of great champions, they were golden years, it was a Milan that won... There was Ibra, there was Seedorf, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo... I can list many for you, but I had a soft spot for Pato."
What does your father, Andrea, say?
"He never gets angry, he is always very present. He is always positive. When I play well, he does not get carried away, when I play badly, he is very balanced. We like to hear from each other before and after the match, we discuss training sessions during the week. For me, he has been a great figure, a point of reference when I was little, and he still is now."
