THE PRESIDENT LOVES MILAN
7/6/2009 5:25:00 PM
The 2009/2010 season of Milan starts. The salute and the declarations of Adriano Galliani. To his right, Leonardo. To his left, the new Milan captain: Massimo Ambrosini.
MILANELLO - Here are today's declarations made by Adriano Galliani, Milan's delegate administrator, during the press conference on Reunion Day 2009/2010: "Milan have won 26 trophies in the last 23 seasons, 13 in Italy and 13 abroad. These victories are a guarantee for the future, thanks to these trophies Milan have become the most title-winning club in the world. No other Italian team has won titles internationally in the new millennium. We are proud of this. Now we are in an important moment, where we have to make changes. At my side are Leonardo and Massimo Ambrosini. I also want to remember three other important people for our victories. Our great captain Paolo Maldini, who I salute with affection once again, Carlo Ancelotti, eight wonderful seasons and an affectionate relationship, Ricky Kaká who contributed to make this club great. Milan have been able to renew themselves before, they've had many cycles. Everything seemed over when Sacchi left, and then with Capello, who was branded a butler by the press, we won everything. Then the Scudetto with Zaccheroni and the cycle of Carlo Ancelotti. Now Leonardo. These innovative choices are part of Milan's dna. I am sure the team will continue doing well. Today it's the day of the coach. I am happy to present Leonardo, who we think is capable of coaching this team. Then there's the new captain, Massimo Ambrosini. He's been here since 1995, he has the pedigree to be the captain. It's daunting to replace Paolo Maldini, but Ambro is intelligent and good. Milan aren't clearing out: after Paolo Maldini left for age reasons, we have Thiago Silva, only Ricky Kaká has left and someone will arrive but the squad is already competitive. Milan have policies that have never changed in 24 years. Which is: no one is forced to leave, but if an offer comes in the club informs the player. I don't think Pirlo will leave, if an offer should come in he will be informed. Offers don't remain secret. No Milan player has had offers. There was one very important request for Pato, but we declared him unsellable."
More from Adriano Galliani: "I've read strange things, like that we have 800 subscriptions to the stadium. Currently we have 6724 subscriptions, against the 8493 of last year at the same time, there's a 20% drop which was foreseeable. Eighty procent of our fans agree with the club. I thank all the sponsors for showing their closeness and affection. No one left, some have been added. Our brand is something magical, which is created or not created. Real Madrid didn't win anything in Europe between 1966 to 1997, but they remained Real Madrid. Milan's appeal is extraordinary. I especially thank Adidas for telling us they were happy to remain our sponsors the day Kaká left. We have decided to be more careful of our finances, to put faith in youngsters, we are convinced we have the best '89 player in the world in Pato, one of the best '90 players in Italy which is Paloschi, a strong '91 player like Zigoni, the best '92 player which is Beretta. Our youth sector has sent more players to Serie A than anyone. In our Uefa list we are not putting four Primavera players in the young players section. We have put four players there who have already played in Serie A: Darmian, Antonini, Abate, and Di Gennaro. Milan continue to have one world-class star only, which is Silvio Berlusconi. As long as he's here, Milan will continue to be Milan. I talk to president Berlusconi a lot, he loves Milan just as much as on 20 February 1986, yesterday I spoke to him twice, he's optimistic and has ideas, this morning he spoke to Leonardo."
The other themes: "We hope to re-win the public's trust. Things changed before Milan-Liverpool, before Athens. The team needs the crowd's support. The fans have always been extraordinary. The club is doing exactly what it has been doing for 23 years, certainly keeping an eye on the balance. And it seems also others are going in this direction. Meanwhile I want to point out that the strongest players in Italy, France and England are going to Spain. I don't know whether or not Ribery will go, but the others did. In Spain players earn 25% more. This is unfair competition. The market? The situation is very clear, Milan have made offers for Huntelaar and Luis Fabiano, but the market is blocked because after Real Madrid's purchases the prices have doubled compared to last year. It's not like I've suddenly unlearned to do the market, I have the same relationships as in past years with presidents, managers, agents. But the fact is that when you read 94 million euros, then they ask 30 and so we wait. I think that in August prices will fall. Buying now means spending more compared to buying in August.
Eto'o? On one part there are clubs who ask for the moon, while the players ask for the Sun. Eto'o is an important player who asks for too much money. There is no hope. This is the moment where we have to be careful of the balance. Football is like any company right now."
On next season's objectives: "I've never said Milan have the third place as the objective, but one of the first three places. So, the first, the second or the third. Last year we finished level with Juventus, with all the injuries we've had. If Milan will have a few injuries less and give slightly more, we will be competitive. Aside from Real Madrid, no teams have strengthened that much. Real have taken away an important player from us, but not just from us. Manchester United have lost Cristiano Ronaldo and Tevez, but none of the press or fans are terrorised. Milan will continue to be competitive also without Kaká, certainly it's a painful loss, but life continues. 24 players are inserted in the Uefa list, no one can make the difference by himself. Milan compared to Inter and Juventus? We have bought a Brazilian talent in defence because Maldini was leaving. I don't know if Thiago Silva is less talented than Diego, but we bought him in complete agreement with our coach. Inter have lost important players like Cruz and Crespo and have bought Milito and Thiago Motta, I don't know if they are stronger, in any case everyone will always go on the pitch with eleven players. Certainly, if Thiago Silva came in July he would have been called a new purchase, he would have had months of playing time on his shoulders and an important role in the Confederations Cup, but now it seems like we did not buy him but that he never played for Milan and is in every way a new purchase. We are full of Brazilian talents, and we could have a new one, who knows, we'll see. We also have Leonardo. By the way, I wasn't lying when I said he would never be Milan's coach. I was courting him and he resisted, this is the truth. Ambrosini's contract? Everything will be resolved soon."