12 hours ago
23
This afternoon, Niclas Fullkrug spoke to the press to introduce himself to the AC Milan fans and the media, answering questions about his career and the future.
Milan have faced several questions about the decision to sign Fullkrug this January. Arriving from a relegation-threatened team in the Premier League, many do not see him as a real upgrade on what is available.
However, the German provides something completely different to what is available to Massimiliano Allegri. As a result, this makes him a very interesting addition to the squad, and he can have a big impact for the rest of the season.
In his first two games, he has looked fairly solid and whilst he has not provided any goals or assists so far, he looks to be close to what Allegri had asked for.
Fullkrug’s first words
This afternoon, he was introduced at Milanello, and he spoke to the media about his move, as MilanNews relayed.
Do you think you arrived in the right team at the right time?
“Yes, I think the team I found is a team that already has huge qualities. A healthy, united group, with energy at very high levels. It almost scared me how strong this energy is after we won in Cagliari: it’s very indicative.
“With my character, I think I can fit in very well and contribute to this positivity and help the team to the best of my ability. It’s an ideal time for my arrival at Milan.”
The insertion and the 9 as jersey number…
“The team helped me a lot in the insertion. A really positive group, with a huge group union. I was very well received by my classmates. It was easy for me to fit in well; I was immediately able to give my best because I found myself well right away.
“The 9 for me is synonymous with goals. I didn’t choose it often in the past; I only used it with the German national team. I don’t have a particular idol, but I know what the past of 9 is here at Milan.
“I hope to be up to the weight of this jersey.”
What is it like to debut at San Siro?
“Two years ago, I played at San Siro with BVB in the Champions League. It was my first time at San Siro, and being able to play here with the Milan shirt is different.
“This club has a magical aura; it’s magic to be able to play with Milan at San Siro: I’m grateful for this opportunity. The fans gave me a magnificent first night. I would have liked to score to win; it would have been the perfect debut.
“Unfortunately, we only take home one point, but there will be other beautiful evenings, I have no doubt.”
What can you give to Milan?
“I’ve already watched several games before I arrived. For interest, I have been following Serie A for years. When you watch Serie A, of course, you also watch Milan. I was aware of the way this team played and how I could help them.
“I’m different from the other attackers in pink. The quality is huge in our offensive department with Leao, Pulisic and Nkunku. I think I can bring physical presence, the possibility to occupy the area: I will help the team in these situations.
“In these first two games, I realised that I will have to elblie with the defenders, I am ready to sacrifice myself for the team even with uncomfortable duels.”
Did Allegri think of the 4-3-3 with you, Leao and Pulisic?
“First of all, it must be clarified that what the coach says, I don’t say to you, I can’t answer. The coach will field the team that has the highest probability of winning. Allegri has enormous experience; he is able to adapt the module according to the players.
“It is important that the team wins, not the individual. In 20-30 minutes, it is possible to have a greater effect than those who play from the beginning. Playing in 3 in front can be an option. On Sunday, we want a positive result to stay near the top.”
About Ibra…
“I had the pleasure of meeting him. I talked to him. I watched him play a lot when I was young; he was really a complete striker. I know him really well, but he also knows me as a type of player.
“He gave me some advice and told me what he expects from me. I hope to be able to achieve everything in the field as I have done in the last years of my career, and I hope that my performance can also be liked here.”
Who impressed you the most, the new friends? Why Italy and not Germany yet?
“We have really strong players. With Modric, we have a player of enormous success and experience. I played the Champions League final against Real a year and a half ago, against Luka. He is the most important Croatian in the history of football; he has an extraordinary quality in both phases.
“It strikes me to be able to play with him. We have many other valuable players. I think I can find a good understanding with the outsiders for their crosses, even with Nkunku, Pulisic and Leao we can benefit from each other.
“Italy has always had a special place in my mind. I always wondered if it was the right place for me. Klose, Bierhoff, and Voller played here. I talked to Rudi, and he always talks well about Serie A. Bierhoff said I’ll be successful here.
“I hope to marry well with the characteristics of Milan: we like to have possession of the ball, create many opportunities… It’s a good place for me, the championship is good on me.
“Italy, for lifestyle and for Milan, I couldn’t refuse. I’m grateful that there is someone who trusts me and who believes I can help the team.”
Goal fourth place or Scudetto? Was yesterday Ostigard’s foul on you?
“I think it’s right to expose ourselves by talking about the fourth-place goal, last year it was missed. Milan must be in the Champions League because of its history. I like to focus on things I can have an impact on: I don’t consider anything that is further away.
“I want to win the next game by helping the team win. If we get 3 points, we are 3 points closer to the final goal. We’ll see what comes at the end of the season. The more games we win, the more chances we will have to crown the season with great success.
“Yesterday, there were a couple of difficult situations for the referee, without wanting to accuse hi,m the decisions went a bit to our disadvantage. I felt the opponent’s foot on my foot, I was sure that there had been a penalty for us or at least that the referee would go to the VAR. But let’s move on.
“We’ve had the opportunities to turn the game around; we can’t blame the referee. But there have been negative episodes for us.”
What didn’t go to West Ham? What goal have you set yourself in terms of goals?
“With Werder and BVB and the national team in those 3-4 years, things have gone very big. I played regularly, scored and assisted. It’s the level I want to get back to.
“I want to be available, with my goals and my performances. West Ham was not an easy place. It was a huge change; I had a very long season behind me: 57 games. In the pre-season, I couldn’t prepare well due to the European Championship.
“I immediately moved to West Ham without being able to prepare myself physically. Things didn’t work out for me in England. Now I hope to turn the page. I feel fresh, fit. I felt very good in these two games.
“I was very well received by the Milan medical team, they gave me an excellent training program. The feelings are excellent, I hope they continue on this false line because that way I will have the certainty of scoring goals.
“How many, I don’t know. If a ball arrives in the area, I will try to put it inside, at the end of the season we will see how many. But I hope to score some important goals.”
Have you ever been close to Milan in the past?
“See, maybe not really, a bit of an exaggeration. There had been contacts, but that I was close is an exaggeration. Milan was a major club for me. I met Milan in 2003, in the Champions League final against Juve.
“I was 9 years old, and I was very small. Then I continued to watch their Champions League games a lot, and two years ago I played here against Milan and I realised that it is a particular club. I told myself that if there was a chance to get here, I would have taken it and I am very happy to be here.”
What is it like to train with Allegri? Milan club of the definitive consecration?
“I don’t know, Milan can definitely be the one I need now, but they also need me now. A square that gives me self-esteem as a real number 9, as a forward reference. It’s a bit ungrateful task being the 9, but I feel comfortable.
“It’s a great time for Milan, we found ourselves at the right time.
Do you hope to be able to stay at Milan? Can you believe in the World Cup?
“Yes, of course. I came here, and I didn’t go anywhere else because Milan convinced me, and I wanted to come here. I feel completely at ease. It is a team that has great emotional value, a much-loved team.
“I want to play for prestigious teams. For me, it is a positive pressure to manage; I hope to continue like this in the future. It’s nice to play in a successful team that is never satisfied with a draw. In many games, we are favorites and we have to live up to it.
“It involves a lot of work, but this is a team that wants to take on this role, and I feel suitable. In the national team, I did well, but I lost some ground, and I had to refuse calls due to injuries. I hope to be available again on a regular basis so that I can continue where I left off.
“I have a very high goal ratio in the national team, I love Germany, and it is a fundamental goal for me.”
Did you know Milan? Still on Bierhoff:
“I’ve seen Milan many times in the past. Surely I don’t have to do sightseeing tours here, I’m here to score goals and be successful as Bierhoff rightly did.
“He called me, he told me about Milan, the city, the team and the magic of playing for Milan, the constant willingness to play at San Siro to make the fans proud.
“To win, we need the goals of the attackers; we all have to score more goals. Rafa and Chris have been very good so far; it doesn’t matter if there are other attackers who can score a lot”.
If you won the second star with Milan, would you cover the hole near the incisors with a golden tooth?
“No [he laughs]. It’s a part of me. There are those who have a pronounced nose; I have this hole. It’s part of my identity, and it doesn’t cause me problems. This hole will remain regardless of how the season ends.”
English (US) ·