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Alessandro Florenzi spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the big game between AC Milan and Roma, having played for both clubs in his career.
Florenzi spent his last years as a professional footballer at Milan before announcing his retirement in the summer. Although injuries made things difficult for him with the Rossoneri, he still played an important role with his experience and character, especially in the Scudetto season.
For Roma, meanwhile, Florenzi was a key figure (even the captain) and spent many years at the club. He made his debut for the Giallorossi in 2011 after coming through the youth ranks, and while he had a few loan moves, he remained tied to the club until the move to Milan in 2021.
In short, Florenzi knows a lot about both clubs and as such, it made a lot of sense for Gazzetta dello Sport to sit down with the former full-back to ask some questions about the game…
On the decision to retire…
“At a certain point, I asked myself, ‘Why are you doing this?’. It didn’t make sense anymore. It was time to listen to myself. Over the last two years, I’ve played in conditions that weren’t normal for a professional footballer. And if I could do it again today, I’d make the same choice.
“I was at the stadium for Milan-Fiorentina, and I didn’t get that feeling of… um… ‘Wow, I wish I were on the pitch.'”
Your best moment for each club…
“For Roma, definitely my debut in 2011, when I came on for Totti against Sampdoria. But also the Champions League quarter-final against Barca. I’ve never experienced a match like that: the stadium, how perfect we were, and so on.
“For Milan, there’s no doubt: the afternoon in Sassuolo, the one of the Scudetto, a trophy I’d been missing and an immense satisfaction after an extraordinary season.”
Milan vs. Roma: Which team is under more pressure?
“Milan, because their stated goal is to return to the Champions League, but they can certainly aim for even more. Roma are already top of the table, they’re playing well and the numbers are on their side…”
By the way, did you expect a Roma side like this?
“I’ve always thought Roma had a very strong squad, but in a certain sense, seeing them up there is a surprise. Absorbing the style of play and the level of physical preparation Gasperini demands in such a short time is not easy, and this makes me think there is room for improvement. We’ll have to see where they are in March to understand what they can play for.”
Same question for Milan: did you expect them to be like this?
“The truth, to be blunt? It was really difficult to do worse than last year, in every respect. The fact that they only have one competition to play and have hired such a good and experienced coach helps. They also made good signings: they brought in strong and experienced players, Modric above all.
“Having said that, the foundation was already there, because last year the team was good. Then, oh, there are years when anything can happen and the results aren’t good enough.”
Would you put both of them in the title race?
“Inter and Napoli are equally favoured. But be careful, it’s an open battle. We’ll have to look at the standings in the spring. If Roma can stay up there, they can have a say. Milan only have one competition and will definitely stay there. And let’s not forget about Juve, who I think will benefit greatly from the managerial switch.”
Some say that only having one competition increases the pressure…
“No. I experienced it first-hand, I don’t agree. I think we won the Scudetto against Milan because we were eliminated from the Champions League, and therefore, we were able to work well physically. And today, being physically ready to play a match makes the difference.”
Milan and Roma have the same problem: the centre-forward…
“At its core, this is always a confidence issue. My experience tells me that when a striker doesn’t have it, he tends to sabotage himself. Then there are different cases: Milan’s centre-forward is called Santi Gimenez, he gets in front of goal, has plenty of chances, and he’s just a tiny bit away from breaking free.
“At Roma, on the other hand, no one knows who the centre-forward is, and it’s a bit like the problem Juventus have. It’s not a trivial position. A lack of certainty can affect a player’s season.”
In Rome, the environment is demanding. Is that an added value or a burden?
“Let’s not joke around, it’s an added value. Imagine what the Olimpico would be like without the athletics track. It would bring in at least 6-7 more points per season.”
You’ve played with the greats: can you explain Modric’s success?
“He makes the difference with his mentality, with his way of looking at football, but above all with the way he has experienced it. Modric is like Totti, Maldini, or Zanetti: look at how they’ve looked after themselves over the years in terms of nutrition, preparation, and consistency.”
What about Leao? When does he bring out the champion within him?
“Rafa has his own style, he needs immense confidence, he’ll take the next step when he understands how strong he is. And it’s no coincidence that everyone is asking him to take this step, because everyone thinks he’s on the verge of becoming a champion.
“Otherwise, they wouldn’t ask him. I hope he takes it soon, because he deserves it and because I love him.”
Gabbia, Bartesaghi, Pisilli, Pellegrini… What’s it like playing for the club you grew up in?
“Four special guys for me. Pellegrini is a friend, I’ve watched Pisilli grow up, and I think I gave something to Matteo and Davide because at Milan, they were the young players and I was an old man.
“Playing for ‘your’ team can give you more, but it comes with both responsibility and honour. You have more pressure than the others, but if you know how to handle it, it becomes fuel and really makes you fly.”
Camarda scored his first goal in Serie A and dedicated it to you…
“A man of his word. Last year, I teased him a lot because I saw something in him; he’s a guy with an incredible hunger. I always told him: ‘For what I’m giving you, you have to dedicate your first Serie A goal to me.’
“It was a joke, obviously, but that dedication really made me happy. I wrote to him the other day, after the penalty he missed against Napoli.”
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