AC Milan's director, Paolo Maldini, has spoken in an interview granted to the club's official channel. Here are his words:
"Satisfaction, pleasure, pride, a big smile for the path we've taken, for how we've gotten here. We can't think that we're in the top eight, but now that we're here, we'll play for it. In January, we lost confidence, distance, and concreteness. The fact that we didn't concede any goals between the first and second legs and played mature games was the most important thing. Doing it at San Siro was a great thing, but doing it here raised our level of maturity."
On the qualification to the quarter finals of the Champions League:
"I felt the chills that the Milan of those times gave us. The boys deserved it, the fans did, too, who were there even during the tough times. The Scudetto made an extraordinary thing become a habit. We got used to it, but we have to remember where we started. A city, a club, and fans accustomed to certain levels accelerate the growth and maturation of many players."
On the team, Maldini said:
"Each of them has a different story. Those who started these 3-4 years with us told a story, a project, and we never lied about what the project was, and we asked them for certain things. They were good at confirming our expectations."
About Pioli...
"You understand it from the first month whether it can work or not. With Stefano we understood each other immediately, there are no communication problems between us. He has always been a perfect communicator and a great coach. In difficult moments we evaluate the nature of man and with Stefano we are at very high levels."
Maldini on the club's objectives:
"We can achieve our goals: to finish in the top four and surpass the Champions League group stage, which we have already done. It will be tough in the league, but we have to finish in the top four. When we've put these players to the test, they've always responded well."
Thoughts on the difficult January month?
"We played without our goalkeeper, one of the best in Europe, but his replacement did well. We're here thanks to players who are often criticised. Krunic? He's been the subject of controversy, but we believed in him and he's a player of a higher level. He needs to make that leap which he is capable of making, but there are many examples of players who gave so much but were criticized at the beginning. They have to focus on what they have to do, and we know how to wait."
On the quarter finals:
"I'd avoid the Italian teams, but if they pass, I'd be happy for Italian football. At this point, whoever comes, comes. We can't think that we're at the level of Bayern, City, or Real.."
On the memory of Italo Galbiati, Maldini said:
"Any footballer should have an Italo Galbiati in their career. He was in love with technique, had a passion for trying to improve the players. His enthusiasm was contagious, but for many players who have passed through Milan, he gave so much."
