AC Milan's central defender, Malick Thiaw, who joined the Rossoneri in the last few days of the mercato, has spoken to the microphones of various media outlets in today's press conference. Here are his words:
"I started playing very early on the street, football is a passion and I made it a profession. Being here gives me great happiness, personal pride and honour."
On the goals for this season:
"I always set myself goals, I'm ambitious. Being here is already a great result, but I want to keep growing. I know I have the best coaches here, excellent teammates to grow in every training session, learning the local culture and playing more. matches possible."
On what kind of defender Thiaw is:
"I think I'm a strong player: I'm good at tackling, in aerial duels, in moving the ball and I have a physique that helps me."
On Paolo Maldini:
"He is a great icon. Milan have always had excellent defenders like Maldini and Nesta; at the time I was not a defender and I also followed Ronaldinho and Kakà, but in recent years I have followed several Serie A matches and I know them well enough."
Milan signed you outright permanently, is it a sign of trust from the club?
"I want to express my thanks for the transfer formula. I am very grateful for the 5-year contract. But it's just the beginning: I have to prove my worth in every match, but the contract is already a sign of recognition for me."
Any teammate you've already bonded with more than the others?
"They are all excellent companions, with my English I manage well and there is Kjaer who speaks German too."
How are you coping with coach Pioli:
"For me, it is new. They are intense training sessions, not very long, but full of tactics. I have only recently been here, but I have already learned a lot; it is different than what is done in Germany, here I can learn a lot."
Do you have a reason to make Pioli include you in a future Champions League list?
"I think that it is not enough to find a convincing reason, but to offer a whole quality package that I will try to show off: I will try to show aggression, my strength, putting myself at the service of the team to try to convince the coach to add me in January in the list."
Milan tried to sign you even before this summer...
"It's a nice confirmation. There were already meetings in winter that had not been successful for various reasons, then other phone calls ... I see it as a confirmation of the good things I did on the pitch and in training with Schalke 04."
Thiaw on the San Siro atmosphere in the derby:
"My first time at San Siro against the worst opponent in a match that has enormous value. It was a huge experience, in a sold out stadium. Without detracting from the Schalke 04 fans, it was a huge experience for me. It was a good omen since we played so well in the derby."
