Mario Gila spent the afternoon with the fans, as tradition dictates, visiting the Flagship Store on Via Dante in central Milan.
The ex Lazio man had this to say.
“My integration into Milan so far? Good, good. I’m very happy. I already gave some of my first impressions of what Milan is like (in my welcome interview). Since I arrived, speaking from a football perspective, I’ve settled in very well. The lads are a great group, it feels like a family… The staff, the kit men, the medical team as well. My teammates are very good people, and I’m very happy to be part of a team like this. I’m enjoying the city too. It’s true that I haven’t experienced it much yet because I’ve been at Milanello most of the time. But during the few free days I’ve had, I’ve felt very comfortable and relaxed. I’ve practically found a home now. I’m looking forward to experiencing the city and making it feel like my own.”
What has surprised you about Milan and Amorim during these first few days? Gila answered:
“What I’ve liked most about the club is the size of it and what it represents, it’s a huge club. The facilities at Milanello are incredible, everyone is very helpful and I’m very happy. Then, speaking from a football point of view, I’m pleased that Ruben Amorim has a very modern style of play. We work a lot with the ball and also focus heavily on the physical side. It’s a style of football that I like. I think I can do very well in it, even though I haven’t played this way much in recent years at Lazio. But I believe it can help me improve a lot as a player.”
On the first day of training camp, Amorim kept you aside for a long conversation… Can you tell us about your decision to join Milan? Who convinced you?
“With Amorim, we talked a bit about our approach to football and the things we agree on. We spoke a lot about his style of play and about things I’ve done under the different styles of football and different coaches I’ve had. We compared our ideas and discussed having a similar way of thinking about football. We see things in a very similar way. I’m very happy because I shared my way of thinking with the coach and he also explained how he sees the game. I really liked that. He was partly the reason why I chose this club," as relayed via Milan News.
“I have to say that maybe Milan were not at their highest point (referring to the period after the end of last season, ed.), but I like that because joining teams that are already winning is not always the most satisfying challenge. Arriving at a club where people want to help it grow… I like these kinds of challenges. I think it’s even more exciting. That was also one of the reasons.”
There are many young players in the squad. Have they impressed you in these days?
“Yes, you can see that there are players with a lot of potential. It’s true that they are young, but they have the mentality needed to make the step up. You can see how hard they work for such an important club like Milan, where they have responsibility. I think they can make a big step forward this year and help us.”
In a back three, where has the coach been testing you? Where do you feel most comfortable?
“He has tried me both as the central defender and as the right or left-sided centre-back. I like both positions; they are very different. Playing centrally is more about positioning and managing possession, helping the team build from the back and covering spaces when the other centre-backs push forward. That is a phase I like because it allows me to show one of my strengths, which is my speed.
“As a wide centre-back, I push forward much more. I like being aggressive and dominant in that sense. It depends on the match. There are games where you need to control the play more and I enjoy that, and others where I can advance further. When Tudor coached me, I even played as the left-sided centre-back, which I also liked. They are different roles, but I enjoy both and I’m ready for either.”
Allegri and Tare wanted you at Milan, but now Allegri is at Napoli and Tare is no longer here. Can you tell us any background details?
“It’s true that Allegri wanted me, and it would be nonsense to deny it. Igli did too. Things happened the way they did: Allegri and Igli left… Then Ruben called me, and seeing how much he wanted me in the team at Milan… I think that has no price. This is a very big club with a huge history, and it has shown me that during these first few days here. I didn’t need much time to decide, honestly. I really liked the way I was welcomed. I’m happy to be here because I believe I can achieve important things. I think I made the right choice.”
What impression did Cardinale make on you?
“I didn’t speak with him before signing, but I spoke with him afterwards. It was very quick to understand that they were very interested in me. My decision was not a long one. He didn’t even have time to call me because I was already very clear that I wanted to come here. Once everything was done, he wrote to me saying he was very happy to see me here, that he welcomed me, and that he was waiting for me with open arms.”
Is there a teammate you have already bonded with?
“One person whose personality I really liked, and who helped me immediately feel part of the team, was Gabbia. He is a very important leader within the squad. Then there are a couple of young lads, Camarda and Bartesaghi. I’ve bonded a lot with them, I’m almost always with them. It made me very happy that they welcomed me into the team so quickly.”
Amorim has said he wants offensive and dominant football. Does that scare you as defenders?
“I like the idea of attacking and then maybe leaving defenders in situations that are difficult for us, but that’s modern football. If you create good tactical positions to attack as a team, the defence can do a good job too. Modern football is like this: if you want to attack, you have to take risks, perhaps in terms of defensive security.
“Maybe if you play against a front three, you end up one against one and you have to deal with it. These are the players who are worth money: those who win duels and help you escape difficult situations. If you want to go forward, you have to take risks at the back. That doesn’t mean there is no defensive responsibility in football, but it is a game that is becoming much more attacking.
“Considering my own style, I think football is moving in this direction and we need to adapt as quickly as possible. It will bring us many positive results.”
We know your strengths very well. Is there a weakness you need to work on to reach the national team? Gila replied:
“I have no problem answering. I think I’m a player who, when I’m having a very positive moment in a match, gains a lot of confidence and maybe I like myself too much, wanting to do too much. It’s something that changes with maturity, learning how to manage those moments when you feel very good.
“For a player, confidence and mentality are very important, so I need to manage those moments better when things are going very well and remain calmer. I need to handle that confidence better. It’s something I have to work on, and I’m aware that I will improve. I hope so.”
