13 hours ago
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Niclas Füllkrug has opened up about his move to AC Milan, and all that it entails, in the usual post-signing interview that the Rossoneri do for their YouTube channel.
It was last Friday that Milan announced the signing of Füllkrug, just as the transfer window opened, and the striker has already played two games since. He’s still waiting on his first one from start, but the cameos off the bench have been positive so far.
Milan will be up against Fiorentina tomorrow afternoon and the latest reports suggest that he’s in the running for a starting spot, competing with Rafael Leao. In any case, it’s clear that Massimiliano Allegri likes what he has seen so far.
After speaking to the media directly at the presentation yesterday, the striker also spoke to the club’s channels and that interview was published earlier today. As expected, he was asked about everything regarding the Milan move.
How does it feel to be here?
“I feel happy, I feel grateful and proud. It’s a big club and a good team in a very good moment; a very good group that has been successful. To join a good group is always great for a player, so I’m very happy yeah.”
How did the debut feel?
“The away game was already special. To feel that the team was happy to have me on the pitch, with the way I play, was a very good feeling. Then, of course, the warm welcome of the fans at San Siro was incredible. I felt the warm welcome and it was special for me.”
What do you want to bring to this team?
“Energy. It’s a very important thing, not only in football but also in life. Where attention goes, energy grows. It’s very important in a season like this when you are always close to the top, you need positive energy even in bad moments.
“You need characters who bring that and that’s what I try to do. To have a good mindset always, every day, in training and in games.”
Did you speak to any Germans who have played for Milan before joining?
“I spoke just a little bit with Malick Thiaw. And then I had a long chat with Oliver Bierhoff. He told me what I already feel, that it feels magical to play for the club, a very big club with an incredible stadium and big-name players in the past and present.”
We have lots of good players, how will you fit in?
“I think I fit in very well, because the type of player I am is something that Milan lacked. We have a lot of quality, but I like to be where it hurts, to be in the box and close to the goal. Difficult duels and so on, doing the dirty work.
“This could give the team more space and have more solutions, while I also want to help with more goals of course.”
Did you have an idol growing up?
“Miroslav Klose, he was big for me as a German striker, and he also played in Italy. Rudi Völler played in Italy, Oliver Bierhoff played for AC Milan, which was a big thing. Then you have Inzaghi, Giroud, Ibrahimovic and Van Basten, all incredible strikers who played for Milan.”
Why do you pull your ears when you enter the pitch? What’s the reason behind this ritual?
“It’s deep in the past. When I played with my youth team, at the age of around five or six, my father was the coach. In training, we would often speak about something other than football and my father wanted to change that.
“He came up with something to focus on football instead, like starting the engine, and it was that gesture. I kept it and it became a ritual for me.”
What are your favourite Italian words?
“Tutto bene (laughs). It’s easy because you can always use it. For me it’s more important to understand, since we have an Italian manager. Every meeting is in Italian and I think it’s right to do it like that.
“You have to get used to the culture and the language to show that you want to be part of this club, to be part of AC Milan. No one is bigger than the club. I already understand a lot because I can speak Spanish, and I try to speak whenever I can. It’s a nice challenge.”
What comes to mind when you see the No.9 shirt with your name on it?
“The No.9 is always important, for a lot of clubs and nations, I heard what you call the No.9 here, that there’s a specific word (punta). It shows that it’s a very important number and position. I loved to wear it with the German national team and it’s just a positive thing for me. I don’t care about the difficulties some have had with it here.”
English (US) ·