AC Milan's technical area director, Paolo Maldini, has spoken to Milan TV in Dubai and said the following words:
"Our players at the World Cup? I've only heard from Rafa, he did his part with two goals, and that's no small thing. It was a high-level experience for him. Theo and Olivier were protagonists, we are also proud to see them in the final."
On the team's condition and how they are doing in Dubai:
"The team is fine, we are in a preparation phase. The goal is to be ready for January 4th. We hope to recover everyone, we must be protagonists in the 4 competitions. We have to aim to win."
On the hot atmosphere in Dubai:
"The heat of Dubai helps for the injured players to recover. The conditions are ideal, even for double training sessions, which we don't often have at Milanello. But, that's what it's all about right now: work, sacrifice, and togetherness. After a few days apart, we have reunited and set our goals for the season."
Maldini added:
"We still have some injured players and hope to get everyone fit again for January. AC Milan must be a protagonist in the four competitions we are involved in because the next six months will be intense. But, we have to approach things in perfect Milan style. We always want to win. It's no secret that the Champions League is the goal that is the most important, but achieving it is the most difficult thing. But, we have to think step by step. The game against Tottenham takes place only in February, but will undeniably set the tone for the remainder of our Champions League campaign."
On Theo Hernandez:
"The great credit is his. He made a dazzling start to his career, then got lost a little. Then he decided to come to Milan, also renouncing many things that his contract provided for, he got back into the game and rediscovered the impetus that a player with his characteristics must have, because he is a player who in my opinion can and must still improve a lot. In his way he is unique."
On the 2022 year:
"From our sporting point of view, the victory of the Scudetto, therefore the match played in Sassuolo closed a three-year period that started in 2019 with a very specific project, which did not envisage the victory of the Scudetto but envisaged the return to be competitive. I'd say that's the image that's imprinted on my mind.Of course, we're talking about Milan and we can't be satisfied with having won a Scudetto, we have to be a little more ambitious."
On the importance of the economic aspect in football and the renewal with Fly Emirates, Maldini said:
"The economic aspect of the football business is essential to be competitive, this is now an equation that leads some teams to be protagonists almost mathematically with certain revenues. To be protagonists, we must have important revenues. Among other things, Emirates has been our sponsor for 15 years now and I think they are used to this type of collaboration and therefore we are really very happy, to be here first of all but then to have renewed for a few more years."
