MILAN – Here’s what players and staff had to say after Saturday evening’s match at the San Siro between Milan and Torino:
ADRIANO GALLAINI
"The team is growing, they did well in the second half, Rami in particular. We ran some risks with tier counter-attacks but I’m satisfied. Rami is a defender that we can count on, he’ll be a big help. When you play with four at the back, the full backs have to push forward and that’s what Emanuelson did tonight. We’ll move forward game by game. What I liked was that we saw a team with desire, character and fight. In the second half we ran a lot and we ran well. The glass is definitely half full. January was a complicated month with the change in coach and the change in formation. As regards Biabiany, Parma wanted a loan with an obligation to buy when we just wanted a loan with an option to buy and we couldn’t find reach a deal. There’s a lot of dialogue between myself and Clarence and it’s clear that when changing the formation, you need new players. In June, we’ll sort out what needs sorting but it’s important not to have regrets in transfer dealings. We have the same level of dialogue with Clarence that we’ve had with all our coaches from Arrigo Sacchi onwards. The players are happy, there’s a good atmosphere. The relationships is as good as it was when for 10 years, he was a champion player for us. I always remember that Clarence joined the club in a swap deal for Francesco Coco.
I’ve always been a protector for our coaches and the last time I spoke to Ancelotti was three hours ago. I hear from Maximiliano Allegri often. A manager’s job is to make the coach feel relaxed. Gori will play for the Primavera side tomorrow against Chievo. They tell me he has a big future ahead of him. Maybe Petagna and Cristante will join him as well. I have to keep Inzaghi happy now that I said ‘no’ to Sassuolo.”
URBY EMANUELSON
"Every game gets better. I still have to improve but I’m happy with my performance today. The team did well and we just needed that second goal and it’s a shame as we played with the right spirit. The coach asks me to run hard to help the players in front of me: Kakà, Honda, Robinho, when we have the ball, I have to push forward. We’ve been with the coach for a couple of weeks now and we have to keep on going as we’re doing. Cerci is a good player, very fast and it was a tough game for both me and De Sciglio this evening as we had to help the centre backs. Rami is a good player and he’s getting better every match. He did well tonight and scored as well. We have tough game next week as Napoli are a great team and we’ll have to work hard this week and we hope to put in a good performance.”
ADIL RAMI
"The goal was great for me as it’s been 4 or 5 months that I haven’t been playing. It was a complicated situation for me mentally and it wasn’t easy. I’m lucky as I have a strong character and I’m happy I scored today. I’ve known Mexes for a long time and that’s why I looked for him to celebrate. The formation is complicated for the defenders and we need to work to improve as it’s a new system. I like taking free kicks. When kaka took one, I wanted to take it but he’s a great player and I couldn’t not let him take it.”
CLARENCE SEEDORF (PRESS CONFERENCE)
"i saw a team on the rise and they gave a lot. They looked to score in the first and second halves. Torino are a good team with a solid game plan and I’m happy with the players. The team did well to stay calm and stay in the game. Satisfaction comes from knowing we tried to get all three points. We haven’t climbed up the table and Italian football is tough for all teams. We have to take things game by game. The road is long from here to the end of the season. The team reacted well but we need time to grow. I’m happy with the work that we’re doing. The transfer window is closed and the players we have are the ones we’ll have until the end of the season. I chose this system of play looking at the team but time is needed for the ideas to be absorbed. We have to be patient with Honda as he’s come all the way from Russia with a different culture and different game but he played well tonight. The players haven’t been playing together for that long and with time the understanding on the pitch will improve. I’m repeating myself, but we can’t make miracles happen. The players are responding well and we have to move forward with that. The team will be built over time and we have to end this season in a way that’s worthy of the club. We’ve had some good signals. Rami did well against Cagliari and again tonight. He has energy, courage and personality. All the players did well to keep pushing until the end. Muntari is just back from injury and I didn’t want to tire him out. I brought on Saponara for Robinho as he had spent a lot of energy and when I see a drop in energy, then it’s better to make a change. I didn’t want to risk Taarabt as he’s just arrived. Now we have a week for him to get to know the team and to settle in”.