First press conference of the new Rossoneri signing, former Torino captain: `Torino gave me a lot, this is the best moment of my career`
Samuele Ricci is not just a new signing; he`s an emblem, an icon of the Rossoneri`s fresh start. Firstly, because he`s the Devil`s first official acquisition. Secondly, because he embodies all the virtues a team needing reconstruction requires. Samuele is young, a very serious guy, plays football with wisdom and can do so in any midfield position, and he`s Italian: which is good for the squad lists and the club`s desire to breathe a bit more Italian spirit. For him, now a regular in the Azzurri squad, this is an important opportunity, and indeed, upon arriving in Milan, he confessed he had “never been so nervous as in these days.”
Rossoneri Investment
Now, as the days pass, he`s starting to feel at ease. The appointment is at Casa Milan, where Ricci appears between morning and afternoon training sessions. These are days of intense sweating. Sporting director Tare introduces him, and while deferring any discussion on Jashari (“Everything in its own time, not today, patience is needed”), he speaks important words for Samuele: “I`m pleased to introduce him because he is our first signing. He is a modern midfielder with a lot of personality. Last season he was the captain of Torino, showing quality on and off the pitch. He has proven he deserves this jersey. For us, he is an investment for the present and the future, and we want him to become a point of reference for Milan`s future.” And him? Well, he smiles a little awkwardly, but then starts speaking and shows non-trivial eloquence. Calm, he always reflects for a few seconds before answering questions. He conveys confidence and a bit of shyness at the same time, but also much self-awareness.
Image caption: Samuele Ricci, 23 years old.
Video caption: Thiago Silva, Pirlo, and a Brazilian star: how Allegri`s first Milan played
Super Milan
“It`s the best moment of my career, Torino gave me a lot, but I`ve taken an important step by coming here. For me, Milan is a starting point. There`s a huge history and worldwide prestige here. You breathe ambition, and that`s something that belongs to me too. I`m here to repay the trust I`ve been given. I`ve followed Milan since I was a child, I admired many players from the past. Now I`m part of it, and I`ll try to give my best.” And this is the super obvious part. “Super,” moreover, is a term Samuele often uses as an intensifier: the arrival in the Rossoneri world obviously brings powerful sensations. “The impact with Allegri was super positive, he`s an excellent coach, among the most successful. The nice thing is he`s always very cheerful, like a good Tuscan. He always has a quick wit, we get along very well on that too. My role? We haven`t discussed it with the coach, but as far as I`m concerned, the position where I feel most comfortable is as a holding midfielder in a three-man midfield. But I have no problem doing something else. If needed, even the full-back…” And, speaking of coaches: “I also spoke with Gattuso, which I was very pleased about. Milan will be very important for my career in the National team, to improve and grow.”
Ricci the Sponge
Then he talks about approaching the Rossoneri universe. “Rumors about Milan had been circulating for a while, I spoke with Gabbia and he told me about the internal matters in the locker room. The feeling is of having arrived in a big family, where everyone is rowing in a single direction, to allow us to be at our best and work at our best. When Milan became a reality, I almost couldn`t believe it. I`ll say something trivial, but it`s true: I didn`t hesitate for a second to choose this club. Which teammate am I most curious to meet? Maybe Leao, you see him as an opponent and you understand he has something more than others. Then, in person, you realize that the things you hear about him aren`t true. He`s very calm and a good guy.” Ricci is swimming in a blender (meaning, experiencing intense change/excitement). On one hand, he has to prove himself in a department that has lost Reijnders, on the other, he`ll have someone like Modric alongside him. “Reijnders and I have very different characteristics. He`s one of the strongest midfielders in the world, but I am myself, I don`t like making comparisons. Maybe I won`t score 10 goals like he did last season, but I can give something else to this team. If someone had told me a few years ago that I would play for the club with seven Champions Leagues and with a teammate who has won six, I would have said impossible. With Modric, I`ll have to be a sponge, absorb as much as possible.” Then he gets into technical-tactical specifics: “I prefer possession, touching the ball a lot, but I`ve also improved a lot in the non-possession phase. I`ll need to improve further, Allegri is a master at this and will give me a big hand. The number 4? It`s a demanding number, I don`t deny it, especially in a team like this. Many champions have worn it, but it`s a number that reflects me. The main goal is to return to Europe, but we need to think step by step.” Finally, as is proper, a thought for Torino: “Right from the start, I felt the love from all the fans, a love that accompanied me throughout my years in Granata. It`s a club with a very important history, if I`m here, it`s thanks to Torino.”
