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Samuele Ricci has shed some light on how things have been at AC Milan so far, including working with Massimiliano Allegri and Luka Modric.
Ricci signed for Milan in the summer transfer window from Torino in a deal widely reported to be worth €25m including bonuses. He left a club where he was the captain and had to get used to fighting for starts, but he has had a run of games with Adrien Rabiot injured and has impressed.
Gennaro Gattuso certainly liked what he saw, given that he called him up for the Italian national team after a brief absence. Speaking in a press conference, the Azzurri coach stressed his belief that Ricci is a versatile player who can cover more than one role.
Ricci’s Rossoneri adventure so far
Ricci spoke to Rai Sport from the Italian national team’s training retreat and he recalled how his first few months as a Milan player have gone so far. His words are via TMW.
How has your start to life at Milan been?
“These have been months of growth. However, I went from a club where I always played and got a lot of playing time, until I reached the national team, to a club where there is rightly much higher competition and where I got less playing time.
“Fortunately, in these last few games I’ve managed to find consistency and get minutes, earning myself back in the national team. It’s very important for me.”
How is working with Gattuso?
“Very positive. Even in these months when I haven’t been called up, I’ve had the chance to speak to him: that’s not a given; it means he also values those who stayed at home. I had little opportunity to interact with him at Coverciano, but I only arrived yesterday.”
Have you heard from Spalletti?
“He’ll always be the coach who launched me into the national team, I’ll always be close to him. I wish him all the best for what he does at Juventus. We had a wonderful relationship, but I think that applies to the other members of the team as well.”
You have to live up to the label of a player who can do everything…
“Yes, you have to give continuity to the work you’re doing, especially at the club. With the national team, you have little time; you have two days of training and then maybe a match. I think the national team comes from the club; only there can you work on the key aspects and the gaps.”
Are you better as a regista or a mezzala?
“Good question… I think I can play both roles, depending on what’s asked of me. Many people these days play as midfielders who can run forward, but also build up play. I can play both roles.”
What’s it like playing with Modric?
“Luka is the best player I’ve ever seen in my career. Beyond his quality, I was struck by his humility, the importance he gives to each teammate, and his willingness to help. At forty, I don’t think these are things to be taken for granted, and I think they’re the qualities we should take from him.”
What makes him special?
“Many things. His technique stands out, but his intelligence is impressive, even when not in possession. As I said before, at forty, you can’t be expected to run like everyone else, if not more.”
How’s it going with Allegri?
“We understand each other well, we even have the same sense of humour. It’s going very well, he’s a great coach, and I don’t have to say it: he’s creating something important.
“Milan were coming off a difficult year, and now I think we’re doing very well. We’ve also had some difficult moments and dropped a few too many points, but the coach’s influence is evident.”
Milan have the most dominant player in the league: Leao. Does he know it?
“Yes, Rafa doesn’t even know how good he is. I really like him, he’s making himself available to all his team-mates: maybe he struggled in this area in the past, but now I think he’s 100% focused on Milan and doing well.”
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