MIHAJLOVIC: "READY FOR NEW SEASON"
Sinisa Mihajlovic believes the rossoneri are in good shape ahead of the new season and Monday's TIM Cup third round tie with Perugia. Speaking to the press on Sunday on the eve of the match at the San Siro, this is what the coach had to say.
"The new season begins tomorrow. It’s not just important to give a good performance, but also get the result and as Boniperti once said the only thing that counts is winning. We will try and do this with every match this season and also by playing good football because this is part of Milan’s DNA. I can’t promise tricks and flare, but rather a side that is hungry to win and that makes as few mistakes as possible. The TIM Cup is an important trophy and we want to do well and we want to win it. For this reason also I will play the best Milan side possible against Perugia. I don’t want to disrespect Perugia. There are no weak or strong opponents, only opponents for us to beat. We in every match have to play as if it were a final; this has to be our mentality. Difficulties? There are always difficulties in every match, there are no easy matches. However, we’re Milan and not just versus Perugia but against every team we face we have to get used to being labeled as the favourites. We must take to the pitch with the right mentality and that is all down to us. With all due respect to Perugia, who we know are a good side and that have a coach that I like and it will be a battle, but if we play as we know how we can get the victory that we want."
"We’ve been working together for a month and a half and there have been lots of changes. We’re in a good position and tomorrow we will see. Ely and Romagnoli will start in the heart of the defence tomorrow. Every match is difficult and unique, but with all due respect for Perugia, we are the stronger side. We’re the favourites and so we must take to the pitch and win. Menez has been called up for the match, I hope to give him 20-30 minutes. He’s a bit behind in terms of match fitness, but that is normal. Soriano? I don’t want to talk about players that aren’t in my squad. I know him well, but I can only speak about my players. Berlusconi? I speak with the President and I am not afraid to exchange ideas with him and I have respect for everyone’s role. He follows closely his Milan and we often speak on the telephone. CEO Galliani is also very close to me."
"I think that every player has to be a leader. There are players naturally with more charisma than others, but Milan have the players with the necessary charisma to make themselves heard. I also think that the coach has to be a leader and make himself heard. Satisfied? So far yes I am pleased. We have been working for a month and a half, lots of things have changed, we have started to see progress, organisation, but we cannot be compared to teams that have been playing together for 2 or 3 years. We’re at a good point. Transfer market? I only speak about this with the club directors. We’re training here today at the San Siro because we’re playing here tomorrow and I wanted to check out the pitch."
(Photo LaPresse)
