MILAN – The coach and the players spoke to the Milan Channel after their performance full of heart and determination in the TIM Cup final with Juventus, which was decided by an extra time winner from Morata:
CRISTIAN BROCCHI
“I saw for the first time my hand in this team tonight. I have worked intensely in these past few days. For the first time I saw my team do what I asked of them. I think we showed what we’re capable of tonight, but unfortunately we go away with a defeat which we did not deserve. I am certain that if we had played like this in other games that our season would have turned out differently. I have worked really hard to create this spirit and for this reason I am disappointed because I believed we could win and I am sad that we could not make the fans happy. I saw the right approach and I think we were the only side to really frustrate Juve this season. We have to work hard every week and every game, just like we have done this week.”
DAVIDE CALABRIA
“We played like a top team tonight. We put Juve under pressure for 120 minutes, only to concede a goal on the counter attack which we should have avoided. We end the season with the belief though that we’re a great team, and with the right mentality, we can make life hard for anyone. We haven’t lived up to expectations this season and we hope we can build on tonight’s performance going into next season. We prepared well for tonight and we knew we would be in for a close contest. Juve are a great team, and even when they are on the back foot, they manage to score at the first opportunity. They have a winning mentality for years. We have to start a new cycle for Milan. We have to build a better future for the club. I have always believed that I am up to the standard of this team. I always aim to give 100%. Coach Brocchi has given me a chance to play in these final games as well as the final which is immensely satisfying. I have to show what I am made of to stay at Milan for many years.”
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
“We’re disappointed. We were desperate to win this cup. We took the match right down to the wire and it’s such a shame about the result. We put in an excellent display. We can compete with anybody. We have shown that tonight. The result didn’t go in our favour but we played brilliantly. Representing the team I support in a cup final makes me immensely proud. I really wanted to win. We’re sad about the outcome but we will look forwards. We must build on tonight. We were unlucky not to score. We will see what happens with the national team.”
ANDREA POLI
“We played a great match. If we had always played with this attitude this season, we would have reached other goals. We attacked, we had lots of chances to score, while they converted their only chance. We should have been more clinical and won this trophy for us but above all for the fans. The fans supported us throughout but it sadly wasn’t our day. We want to rebuild and we can do it. We dominated and had the clear cut chances. We should have closed the first half in the lead but now it is all in the past. This defeat hurts, but we played with great spirit. I think we have the right people here to start again. This was a massive test for all of us. This could be a big step for all of us. The result was not in our favour, but we had passion and desire. It’s vital we build on tonight.”
CRISTIAN BROCCHI (press conference)
“The team played well tonight and that was clear to see to everyone. We have received praise from everyone. However, that doesn’t take away the disappointment. We didn’t deserve to lose. Tonight I started to see the first signs of my work in this team. I saw the right approach and attitude. We were made to pay by a match incident. Juve have some top players and this is football. At times you look for excuses, but on other occasions you reap the rewards of your efforts over time. This has happened to a lot of great coaches. We have worked on some ideas in this period. In other matches we weren’t able to carry them out. The return of Bonaventura to the team allowed us to play with a different approach. Perhaps this week I have hit the right note with the players, getting a big reaction from them. We put in a great performance today and made life really hard for them. I don’t know on how many occasions that has happened this season. We have been working on pressing high up and trying to play how we did tonight. It will take time. You cannot always get it right immediately. Finally though I can say I have started to see some of my work. I am pleased with this, but what will be, will be. I haven’t had the chance to speak to the President. I imagine he will be disappointed with the defeat, but not with the performance. Balotelli was eager to play, but I had to consider extra time and ensure I was smart enough to make the right choices. To press them high up we sent Poli to mark their playmaker. This frustrated Juve’s efforts to play the ball and I think we got it tactically spot on. Today we gave everything. To see all our fans out in full force was beautiful. I am sorry we weren’t able to win. I think we could have won. I hope we can keep bringing though young players. Calabria was fantastic tonight.”