Gattuso and the players: “Qualification is still open”
Rino Gattuso, Ignazio Abate and Alessio Romagnoli spoke to Milan TV after the 0-0 draw against Lazio: “We could have won it. It’s important we didn’t concede a goal”.
At San Siro, after the final whistle of the first leg of the TIM Cup semifinals and the 0-0 stalemate against Lazio, Gennaro Gattuso was interviewed by Milan TV together with Ignazio Abate and Alessio Romagnoli:
Lazio are a really strong side. And the result could have been worse today. We were not at our best form and we didn’t manage to play like we wanted. We did better in the second half when we could have won the game. At Milanello we worked to play in a different way but we did always the same movements for the whole first half. In the second 45 minutes. we improved, we created more and we were quicker. Physically we are doing well. It’s only the third game in the season Lazio haven’t scored, so, well done to the boys. Calhanoglu’s mistake? It’s part of the game, but the important thing is that he was there at the right time to take the shot. He was really disappointed after the final whistle, he’ll do better next time.
Regarding the possibility of AC Milan to play with two striker the coach declares:
With two strikers you create more concern for the opponent, we started the second well with the external attackers, and in the last twenty-five minutes, with two strikers, we created more concerns for Lazio.
After the boss, it was time for Alessio Romagnoli to reflect on the game interviewed by the club’s thematic channel:
I am improving. It was tough at the beginning as I was still recovering from an old injury and I was struggling, but now I am fully fit and I hope to continue like this. I have the opportunity to play with Leo (Bonucci) and it’s an honour. He’s a formidable player. With Gattuso, we are working on the defensive phase and it’s important. Something clicked in our minds and the athletic work we are doing is also important. We’ll go to Rome knowing the qualification is still open: we want the final! A goal at the Olimpico like Alessandro Nesta did? I hope so…
Finally, it was Ignazio Abate to address the media after the match:
We are improving day after day. It wasn’t a quality first half from us, but in the past we would have lost a match like this. We did better after the break. The boss has passed on his mentality from the very beginning, he’s a fighter and never gives up: he’s the same he was as a player. Lazio are a great team, with lots of experience. We were feeling that we weren’t at 100 percent but we tried to win the game in the second half. Not conceding a goal is important. It’s going to be tough at the Olimpico we know we can’t make any mistake.