Davide Calabria spoke during "AC Milan Talk" on Twitch. These are the statements of the Rossoneri full-back, the first player in Italy to be guest on an official channel of a club on the well-known streaming platform:
Have you heard the compliments of Vieri, Cassano and Adani?
“I didn't hear them but they told me about it. It's nice, they were great players. Even if we are only at the beginning, there is still a lot of work to do."
How do you play your role?
"I think the world of football has evolved, inspired by Guardiola's Barcelona. There is a tactic but then in the action the role is the same. Even if you are a full-back, if you are forward you start as if you were a forward. Of course, then you must have discipline. The evolution of football from an athletic point of view, everything is faster, has led to this interpretation here."
The toughest opponent?
"As a team there are many. It's a good league, there are many good teams. A game can change several positions. As a single there are so many, I can't say just one. There are many strong players in Serie A."
How good is our Milan?
"It is very nice, we are a good team, there is a spirit of sacrifice even in difficult moments. It is no coincidence that we have been doing well for more than a year, everyone wants to prove their worth. We are only at the beginning, there is still a lot to work. We are happy but we are at the beginning."
How strong is Tomori?
"I did not know him. He is a good player, has a good personality, comes from a great team. He's very aggressive and that's great for the way we play, he can make us comfortable. He played an excellent match against Bologna."
On the work done at Milanello beating fruits finally:
"Every week the page turns, you always have to think about the next game. It is obvious that when you do well there is some satisfaction."
Who have you connected with the most this year?
"I connected well this year with Daniel Maldini. I knew him from before joining the first team."
On Calabria's inspirations:
"I grew up with Milan, there was Paolo Maldini. As a player, I have not followed one in particular. I don't believe much in this, everyone is unique. As a man and as a person and as a team, Maldini's Milan was my point of reference. As a Milan fan I couldn't help but follow them. It was a group of champions."
What do you do to focus before a match?
"I have my playlist of music which I listen to. There are many genres. I focus on listening to the music and imagining the possible actions of the game. We work a lot on the video."
Did you listen to Leao's album?
"I haven't heard it yet but it's on the schedule, it's not the kind I listen to before the game but I could put it on the home - Milanello road."
The next goal is dedicated to Twitch chat, can it be done?
"Absolutely, yes. Hopefully, it will be done already on Sunday."
A thought about the late NBA icon Kobe Bryant?
"His passing touched me a lot. I was having dinner with my girlfriend, we had to leave because I felt like crying. Watching the videos I cried two or three days in a row. I was fond of him, he was tied to Italy as well. I tried to bring out the positives by trying to imitate him in my work. The "Mamba Mentality" he had ... I tried to take as much as possible from it. It was an inspiration, it helped me. It really touched me. I'm not a very emotional one, that tragedy there touched me enough. Watching the videos I appreciated his mentality even more, still today I try to do what he did."
