Alexandre Pato, has spoken to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The interview was released on derby day and he had these words to say:
"Physically, I feel very good, there is still a future to be written. I have never closed the door to the idea of returning to play in Europe one day."
Where would he play in the current Milan:
"Well, besides being a center forward, I could also play on the left wing. It's a position I've always liked, it's just that at the time a certain Ronaldinho arrived and I shifted to the right."
On AC Milan's new tactics:
"I like it a lot, and it was necessary to change. It's something Kaká used to talk about often: 'After a couple of years at most, you have to change the formation, because in the end, others get to know you.' The formation needs to be changed, you always have to be one step ahead, and Pioli is. He ensures that this happens."
Do you still watch Milan?
"I watch them every time I can, it will always be in my heart. And I pay attention to all the news."
Pato spoke about Christian Pulisic:
"I really like him, he brings the enormous English baggage to Italy, although he will have to get used to the fact that there is much more attention to the tactical aspect here. I'm sure he will do very well."
What about Samuel Chukwueze?
"Strong, resilient, and very fast: top conditions to play as a winger. I have to say that the club has made an important, clever, and well-constructed transfer market. They also signed my friend."
Pato on Ruben Loftus-Cheek:
"Loftus-Cheek, we played together at Chelsea in 2016. He is incredibly strong, too strong. I'm glad to see him fitting in so well."
Giroud, a locker room figure like Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
"Certainly. Olivier is a great player, he knows how to score in every way, and young players need role models like him. He's a very positive person, who talks to everyone. A leader."
Pato on Leao and the Ballon d'Or...
"I think he needs to be patient. He is improving very quickly, he is already a great player. He has all the abilities to reach that goal, but gradually. It's better not to talk too much about him, for his own good. Anyway, renewing with Milan was the right decision, the best one for him. I'm happy he stayed, I'm rooting for him because he's a special player. I want to see him win with Milan."
On Paolo Maldini's exit:
"I don't know the situation up close, of course. I can only say that for me, he is a good person and he did a great job."
Milan, the American way:
"I'm happy because they put the fuel the club needed, and I'm sure that with them, Milan will only grow."
Ibrahimovic has also bid farewell:
"He was a football legend, and also a legend of Milan. I think now he wants to focus more on the family aspect. In my opinion, he could do like Kaká, who is studying a lot to return to the world of football one day. The club manager? He has great intelligence that would allow him to perform such a delicate role. Basically, he remains a tremendous motivator. From what I know, he would be a perfect executive."
AC Milan reached the Champions League semi-final last season... Pato commented:
"Milan is a top club, so the Champions League must be their home. The Champions League, by the way, has also served to restore its former charm: now all players, or almost all, want to go to Milan."
On the late Silvio Berlusconi, this is what Pato said:
"His death hit me and saddened me a lot. In those days, I kept myself informed with Galliani, who went to visit him in the hospital and kept me updated. He's the one who brought me to Milan, he gave me so much, even in personal terms. I could call him a friend-president. They are people who are born once in a while. I remember when he called me and told me to play closer to the goal, I remember his jokes. An amazing person, he will always be in my heart."
Derby... and the Scudetto:
"I strongly believe in my team, which I still feel is mine: there is a great team and a great coach. Winning this derby would be the best omen for winning the championship and the second star."
