By Anna Italia
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Special day for new AC Milan player Colombian forward Carlos Bacca having his first press conference as a “Rossonero player” on Saturday 25 July 2015. Bacca full of optimism, commitment, and looking for a bright future with Milan starting today with the Milan Derby played in Shenhzen, China during the International Champions Cup.
Bacca saying, “I think the thing that motivated me the most to chose Milan was the ambition of this team, with this new project to return to the top, fight for the scudetto and to return to the Champions League – these are our goals this season. These are the kind of challenges I like. The first thing I said when I arrived at the club was that I would give 100% to the team to try and help Milan and my teammates try to reach the goals we have set ourselves. We know that Milan are a great team, a top club. They are the second most successful club in the Champions League, Milan are respected all over the world, they are a very prestigious team. Everyone dreams of wearing this shirt. I chose Italy and Milan because I have always liked it since I was a boy. I used to watch Italian football thanks to Asprilla, Bolano, Cordoba, all great players. I would watch them on TV and remain enthralled. I have always liked Italian football and I have always dreamed of one day playing in Italian football. Now that I have fought to wear this shirt I want to help the team reach the goals it deserves to reach.”
Bacca also commenting on new Milan Coach Sinisa Mihjlovic: “We have received an incredible reception from the Chinese people and that just shows how much attention Milan gets all over the world. I think we are one of the teams with the most fans in the world. In China they have shown us a lot of love and we are very happy that we are so popular in China. What we need to do in this tour is do our best and make the people happy. I have arrived in a very good moment for the team, during pre-season, where I can get to know my teammates. I have to say that the team have welxomed me with open arms, I am trying to adapt as quickly as possible, and my teammates have been very nice and are helping me to get into the best shape as soon as possible. Mihajlovic is very ambitious, he wants to succeed. He works very hard, just like when he was a player, now he tries to pass that intensity on to us. I think he will give us a lot and will bring the best out of us in training. In the few days that I have trained with the squad I have worked very hard. Mihajlovic is a winner and that is the most important thing, if he can get this attitude into our heads then we will always have a winning mentality in matches.”
Bacca has only been with the team a few days and is working hard to reach full fitness.
Carlos Bacca also gave an insight into his life before making it as a professional footballer. He said:
“I never sold fish but I would gladly have done it. It could have been a job to have helped my family. I did work as a controller on the bus, I won’t deny it. I have to thank the company because they allowed me to play at the weekends and to work during the week, that way I could help my family. Now I have made it to Italian football. I remember those days well because they fill me with pride and make me stronger just thinking about it. I am proud and happy of my life. Those days help remind me where I started out, how much my family helped me and how my hard work has taken me all the way to Milan, thanks also to the help of God.”
Carlos is often compared to another world class Colombian striker of the moment, Jackson Martinez.
“Jackson and I are different players, with different qualities. He is very strong physically, with talent, he has a lot of goals in him and now he has moved to a big team like Athletico Madrid. I am more of a technical player, faster, with a lot of goals in me as well and with different characteristics. Fortunately we are both Colombian and we can help our national team.”