GATTUSO: "THIS DERBY WIN IS A MORALE BOOSTER"

Rino Gattuso spoke about this match as a "World Cup final" and his boys showed really great desire which led the team to take home a win in the derby to qualify the Rossoneri for the TIM Cup semifinals. This is what the coach had to say, interviewed by Milan TV:

CUTRONE IS THE EXTRA MAN: THE DERBY IS OURS! READ THE MATCH REPORT

WIN, QUALIFICATION AND POSITIVE PERFORMANCE 
"No defeats with President Li Yonghong at San Siro? Don't let hime leave...Jokes aside, this team has great qualities. Defensively speaking we did well and won back lots of second balls, but there's still a lot to work on. We move the ball around well, but we still need to take a step forward in defence. I saw the boys marking well.

GRIT AND DESIRE
"This Milan reminds me of the one in the first part of the 2006/07 season, where we were losing to everyone but then we stood out after the management decided to bring us to Malta. I see the boys try to climb a mountain in every moment of the game, but it's still not enough because physically and psychologically we are still not at our peak. We never have to lack grit, desire and sense of belonging.

MORALE BOOSTER
"For these boys, the derby was as important as breathing. This win doesn't change a lot of things, but it's a morale booster. It would have been a pity not to deliver what these players have inside them. We can now work more serene and let's focus on taking home a win in Florence.

THE INDIVIDUALS
"Since I have arrived here, Calhanoglu has worked really hard, nevere skipping a training session. But I want to underline Biglia's performance, he showed he's a great player. He was one of the men of the match in my opinion and it's crucial that all our players in the squad are recovering. We must never give up".

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(Photo LaPresse)