Jankulovski recalls spell at Milan including Ancelotti, team-mates and Athens triumph

Marek Jankulovski has recalled some of his memories from his time playing at AC Milan, including his utility man status.

The Czech international joined Milan in 2005 and spent six years at the club, with his most notable achievement being when he won the Champions League with Milan in the 2007 final in Athens.

He was voted the 2007 Czech Footballer of the Year off the back of that, and got 77 caps for his national team. Not bad for someone who cost a reported €11m to sign from Udinese.

Jankulovski was a guest on Radio Serie A for an interview in which he recounted his career, including his time with Milan and the memories that remain. MilanPress transcribed his words.

You certainly knew how to play multiple roles…

“I didn’t really enjoy playing as a full-back, I didn’t like defending, but at Milan, knowing how to play there helped me a lot.

“There was little space in midfield, I had great champions in front of me, but in some games I also played in midfield, which was an advantage because at that Milan, even full-back wasn’t easy given the many great players.”

What was it like playing for Ancelotti?

“I was lucky to spend four years with the coach. He’s a great character, respected by everyone, and it wasn’t easy managing all those champions.

“Then, if you look at Carlo, he’s won everything he could win, and I hope he wins the World Cup with Brazil, because he deserves it as a person. With him, too, just one look was enough and you knew what to do.”

What memories do you have from Milan?

“Everything remains. For a boy from Ostrava, lifting the European Cup in 2007 with teammates like Paolo Maldini, Billy Costacurta, Andrea Pirlo, Rino Gattuso, Kakà, Pippo Inzaghi, in my first year Rui Costa, Jaap Stam… I don’t want to forget anyone.

“It was a dream. I never would have imagined being part of this group. They were champions, not just on the pitch, but especially off it. They were six wonderful years, and 2007 is rightly the fondest memory. What more could you ask for than winning the Champions League?”

What was the most difficult victory of that Champions League win?

“The second leg against Manchester United at home. When I talk about it, it’s more important to me than the final. We lost 3-2 in Manchester, with Rooney, Ronaldo, Van de Sar, and Giggs.

“The match here at San Siro, it had been raining all day, but we won 3-0. That was the best day of my career because I realised we’d achieved something important.”