Ricci insists Milan are ‘aiming high’ after debut win over Bari: “feel very comfortable”

Samuele Ricci made a winning start to life as an AC Milan player, starting and impressing in the 2-0 win over Bari on Sunday night.

Over 71,000 fans turned out at San Siro for the Coppa Italia round of 32 clash, and they saw a dominant performance that should have yielded more goals in truth, but for some wasteful finishing and heroic goalkeeping.

Rafael Leao was the man who took the acclaim of scoring the first goal of the new campaign, heading in from a Fikayo Tomori cross. Christian Pulisic then got the second goal early in the second half, linking up nicely with Santiago Gimenez and finishing inside the box.

‘I feel very comfortable’

Ricci spoke to Mediaset after the game to give his thoughts on what was a San Siro curtain-raiser not just for the season but also his career as a Milan player. MilanNews transcribed his comments.

Good start, you moved well…

“We played a good game, there are some things we need to improve. We had a lot of chances, we could have been more clinical. We managed the ball well, in a period like this it’s better to keep the ball more and let the opponents run more. It went well.”

Photo by AC Milan

How much does this revolution inspire you? Do you believe in the second star?

“We’re aiming high, we’re aiming to do our best. A great group has been created thanks to those who were already at Milan. I feel very comfortable with the team, the coach, and the lads.

“I found them to be wonderful, highly professional, and available. I want to thank the fans for today; that’s not a given on such a summer date.”