Gilardino happy to be at AC Milan

By European Football
July 22 2005

New Milan signing Gilardino faced the press for the first time as an AC Milan player to speak of his hopes for the future and the thrill of playing for Milan.

Do you feel like you are at Disneyland?

I have been well received: the staff, the players. It’s a dream to be here, I can work in total tranquillity. There is everything here to improve and win. I am proud and content. I have to thank Milan, Parma and also myself!

What do you expect and what don’t you expect?

I was at Parma for three years; the way of working is completely different. It’s the top here; there is every particular cure to help every player.

Why Milan?

I selected Milan because they are the team that totally wanted me, and then because it has always been my dream to play here: Milan are the number one side in the world.

Did you fear the negotiations would not go according to plan?

Negotiations went on for a long time, I needed plenty of patience but I was sure that an agreement would be found. There was a hypothesis that I would remain at Parma but it went well in the end, for Parma as well, I have to thank that my sale brought important money into the club to buy top-quality players. It wasn’t up to me to put me on auction but it was good of them to realise that I wanted to come to Milan.

Will you be in competition with Vieri at Milan as you are in the national side?

The competition for places at Milan is right and proper. There is Vieri, Inzaghi, and Shevchenko. If you want to win then you need a strong group of players, therefore the competition is unavoidable. Of course, I am thinking ahead to the World Cup, I am 23 and it’s one of my objectives. First I want to do well in a Milan shirt and then if possible, with the national side.

How do you think you will win a starting place at Milan?

Training as hard as possible and with great humility, giving my maximum when the coach calls on me. I knew by coming here I would have to compete for a place but I will play all my cards in order to do it. It’s up to the boss how much I play. In a great side you have to accept the turnover. We have four good attackers, composed of four important players but the other sides are not lacking. I was hit last night by the Juve midfield, especially Vieira. Juventus and Inter are two great sides.

Is it easier to score at Parma?

Parma was based around the Gilardino-Morfeo couple. It’s different here. But if you can score you can at Parma or here ... we’ll see. 

How has your impact with your team-mates been?

I knew some of them from the national side. I have been accepted well by everyone. The impact with Maldini has been really good. Paolo is a symbol, you can see that even from how he speaks, how he moves. He’s a really great player and a really great person.

Who were your idols?

Van Basten. And Batistuta. The same with Vieri and Inzaghi, I was fascinated by him at Verona and watched and studied how he moved. Van Basten was one of the top players in the history of football, he had an incredible elegance, compared to his height, and it was something extraordinary.

Where must you improve?

Right and left shots from outside the area. I am also ready to deal with the pressure; I have to give my all every time I play, to be concentrated and as determined as possible. I have seen a group that is charged up, determined and a great desire to bounce back. They are all great players with a great mentality. I am curious to play alongside them for the first time.

Have you thought who your ideal partner would be?

I have not trained with everyone at a tactical level. Bobo and me are two out-and-out strikers, Pippo and Sheva move more. We’ll need to see.

Are you going to America?

On Monday.

You were a Juve fan when you were young…

 
When I was young, due to the passion transmitted from my father ... Now I am wearing a Milan shirt and I am a Milan follower to all effect!

What did Sacchi tell you about Milan?

I have had plenty of talks with Sacchi: beyond advising me about tactical movements he spoke well about the environment. I asked a lot of questions about Van Basten...

Are you afraid about inheriting Crespo’s shirt?

I have no fear; if I did then I wouldn’t have come here. I know Hernan left an excellent record here. It’s an honour for anyone to wear such an important shirt.

Who will you dedicate your first goal to?

To me, my family, my girl.

Where there negotiations with other clubs?

My intention was always to come to Milan, I thought that last year. Other clubs wanted to intervene but I was certain.

Could you play on July 27?

I am working hard at the moment, more so than in past years. It’s up to the boss.

The other evening Galliani made you call Sheva…

Yes, but not just him: also Gattuso and Maldini. And president Berlusconi. He congratulated me and wished me plenty of luck. He said he was content about my arrival. That pleased me.

What are your objectives?

I want to win the Champions League and the title. If I had to choose one I would prefer the Champions League because it is a competition that has always fascinated me but I have never played in.