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00:00 [Music]
00:18 Hello Rastoneri, this is AC Milan Talk. We are ready for a new weekly episode with all the goings on of our favourite teams, both on and off the pitch.
00:27 But first of all, let me introduce my two friends. Welcome back to Adriano Del Monte. Hi Adriano, how are you?
00:33 Hello Licia, hello Sheridan. Wonderful to be back and good to see you both.
00:36 We missed you a lot.
00:37 I missed you a lot more, but it's great to be back.
00:40 And welcome also to Sheridan, hi Sheridan.
00:43 Hi Licia, welcome back Adriano. I can talk a bit less this week because Adriano is back and I think the viewers will appreciate me talking less.
00:51 Talking about the episode on the pitch, there are plenty of talking points, so let's start with our men's first team.
00:59 The heart and tenacity to overcome difficulties, the desire to keep on pushing, but also the disappointment following the comeback with 10 men on the pitch.
01:18 This is the summary story of AC Milan's 25th Serie A matchday against Monza. What happened on the pitch, Adriano?
01:26 A tough one. I think a disappointing match, obviously off the back of a really busy period with the Europa League and with a lot of fixtures now.
01:36 Starting to get busy in the second half of the season. What happened in the end?
01:40 Two goals away to Monza, a solid return, but then it's the conceding of four goals, especially those two late on.
01:47 There was great fight shown by the team to get back into it, obviously going 2-0 down and a man down, a couple of wonderful goals.
01:53 But in the end a very sour taste because despite a couple of those positive moments, in the end to walk away with no points and as you can see from the standings,
02:02 miss out on an opportunity to get back into the top two, a big missed opportunity for me.
02:08 Sheridan, a difficult one to take for us and a very important win for them.
02:13 Yes, I agree with what Adriano was saying, that it was frustrating. However, it's our job really here to look for the positives.
02:21 There were some, if you take away the headline of the score, Pulisic played really well, he looked like a man on a mission.
02:28 And as Adriano mentioned, the team showed real fight to come back from 2-0 down to 2-2 with 10 players.
02:36 We're now watching the images and I think Malik Chau having returned from four months of inactivity is naturally going to be a bit rusty.
02:44 You don't return to the heat of action of Serie A without some signs of being absent for so long.
02:51 But going two goals behind, there was a lot of fear that the result or the score could have actually escalated.
02:59 This is Monza's second goal, a good finish, you can't deny that.
03:02 But the fact that Milan fought back with 10 players must be something we can try and cling on to, Adriano.
03:10 Of course. Look, we were chatting throughout the game, Sheridan, and there were a couple of moments early in the second half, of course,
03:16 there were a few changes where there was some confidence.
03:19 I did text you at one point saying that I think a couple of goals are coming and they did.
03:24 And I think that in the end, the positives that we do find is that character, that spirit and that fighting attitude.
03:30 They can get themselves back into it. It is still a very strong unit and a strong unit with some players returning.
03:37 Chau, of course, won. And you do need to factor that in.
03:41 The fact that some of these players who will be returning after long absences will need some time to get back to full match fitness, sharpness.
03:50 And those levels will take time.
03:51 And obviously a lot of fixtures to come for the coaching staff to ensure that the players have the opportunity to get some minutes
03:58 that we see the strongest Milan very, very soon.
04:01 But in the end, disappointing zero points take away from that.
04:04 But plenty of matches to come, plenty of opportunities to respond.
04:08 And it is just after this final result for our Rossoneri, for our head coach Stefano Pioli,
04:13 who shared his post-match reactions with Milan TV cameras. Let's listen.
04:19 I think that the development of the match has shown that it wasn't our evening,
04:26 that it wasn't our best evening, because of a series of situations, of incidents that happened in the game.
04:34 Because even though we weren't that brilliant in the first half, we tried to play the game, to control the game.
04:44 Then, of course, we made some serious mistakes that made us end the first half inexplicably, under two goals.
04:52 Then there was the numerical weakness, and then with great will, great determination, great heart and courage, we got back into the game.
05:00 But then we went into a competitive trance, we even wanted to win it, and we unbalanced ourselves too much.
05:05 Unfortunately, it was an evening where too many things didn't work.
05:09 Rafa had to play, but he had to stop training yesterday because he still had a little problem with his shoulder on Thursday,
05:15 so he didn't feel like starting from the beginning.
05:17 Cristian didn't train yesterday because he was still tired,
05:20 so the choices were made to try and put a team on the pitch with more energy, with more opportunities to perform.
05:27 Then the fact that they came on well is an important thing, but the team was balanced, had the right positions,
05:34 but then the performance wasn't what we expected.
05:37 Rafa was going to start from the first minute.
05:40 Cristian Pulisic asked to not enter on the pitch against Monza to our head coach, Stefano Pioli.
05:47 As we listen, a little comment about them, Adriano.
05:51 Licia, it's all about finding that right balance.
05:53 Again, a lot of minutes, a lot of players still returning.
05:56 I think from the squad, when we talk about the squad as a whole, you need to find the balance,
06:01 you need to prioritise who can play when and where,
06:04 and obviously we need to ensure that we're avoiding injuries.
06:07 It's a squad that we can't beat around the bush, it's a squad that have had a lot of injuries over the course of the season,
06:13 so if Liao and Pulisic here weren't fit enough to play from the opening minutes, it is what it is,
06:19 and Mr Pioli and the team need to manage that in the best way that they can with so many fixtures to come,
06:25 but in the end, Sheridan, it was good to see, especially Pulisic, make that impact coming into the second half.
06:31 Yeah, if Christian Pulisic wasn't feeling 100%, it didn't show.
06:35 He was really impressive in the second half, and I think the other thing to remember is that at 2-2,
06:41 perhaps a lot of teams would have settled for a draw, but this Milan side have specialised in comebacks recently,
06:47 and they went for the win, and on one hand you can say that was perhaps naive and they should have just played for the point,
06:53 but on the other hand you can say this is a team that wants to play front foot, aggressive football,
06:58 and perhaps they were undone by their ambition, want to archive, want to try and draw some positives from,
07:04 but then move forward.
07:06 Now our Rossoneri will need to be strong and to put this slip-up behind them,
07:11 focusing on the next European fixture, the Europa League play-off second leg,
07:16 but first of all, your summary comment on what you saw on the pitch on Thursday night against Iran.
07:24 So many matches, it was a good one, it was a very good one of course, a convincing victory against a team in Rennes
07:30 who have been playing some good football in Ligue 1, and look I think they'll be very satisfied obviously,
07:35 this was a great way to get this week started, it was, well you'd say it was a near complete performance,
07:43 it was a European night, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, one of your favourites Sheridan, at his best,
07:48 again was the MVP of the match, it was a match that had it all, great atmosphere, great European occasion,
07:53 and still plenty to play for of course with this European trophy on the line,
07:58 so it was a great start to the knockout stages of this campaign, of course the return to come,
08:03 but I think Sheridan will take plenty of confidence from this win going into that second leg in France this week.
08:08 Yeah, if I'm honest, Rennes disappointed me a little bit because they'd, as we discussed last week,
08:15 they'd won eight matches in a row domestically, and they did...
08:18 Have to be a good team to end that streak.
08:20 Exactly, Milan were very impressive to end the streak, Ruben Loftus-Cheek with two fabulous headed goals,
08:25 Raphael scoring again, even when he wasn't scoring, by the way, we know here at Milan Talk that he was making goals,
08:32 but it's always nice when he scores a goal, and that celebration was cathartic to say the least,
08:37 and it was a really good professional European performance by the Rossoneri,
08:42 hopefully the job is done for the second leg, but never say never, never get too carried away,
08:48 but yeah, I was really pleased with the way Milan approached the tie, and the fans loved it,
08:53 so hopefully safe passage into the next round.
08:56 So AC Milan does all the thanks to many protagonists, among them the famous couple, Teo,
09:03 Teo and Sport, and Raffaleao.
09:06 Very good, did you make that one up, is that yours? Very good.
09:09 Teo is coming with his best performances, and Raffaleao who reached his 50th goal in Rossonero, very important stats.
09:18 Absolutely, of course, and Teo, very well done, very nicely done.
09:21 Look, we know that this team are at their best when Leao and Teo and the star players are also at their best,
09:29 so for Leao to get goal number 50, for these players to put on a show in European football again,
09:35 it's very, very important. Now, yes, the passage is not secure yet, Sheridan,
09:40 but very, very much one foot in the next round of the competition, so important these players are flying,
09:45 great to see, great to watch, and hopefully more to come.
09:48 Raffaleao scored his 50th goal in Rossonero, but now a question for you guys,
09:54 start with Sheridan, your favourite Raffaleao goal?
09:58 I have to say it was the one that he scored in the derby in September 2022.
10:05 This backflip by Giroud is exquisite, and then you just watch this run,
10:09 takes on three inter-defenders and then slides it into the bottom corner, I don't really have to speak,
10:15 pictures say a thousand words. The celebration as well was special, it was a party atmosphere,
10:21 but it was a goal that I think it was an introduction, not to Leao, but just showing what he is capable of.
10:27 Look at this, he slides through the inter-defence as if they're not there,
10:30 and then just passes it into the bottom corner. If I scored a goal like that on the PlayStation,
10:35 I would have a party for a week, he did it in real life.
10:39 And for you, Adriano?
10:41 You've done very well there, Sheridan, your words have done wonders.
10:44 For me, I was actually there pitch-side at that match, I really enjoyed Sheridan's selection,
10:49 but I've gone for another one. One of his many wonderful goals against Napoli from last season,
10:55 and it was in a very, very convincing display.
10:58 Now, Sheridan, what makes this one extra special for me is that I was literally standing on the pitch as he did this,
11:04 and this memory is just imprinted in my mind. A wonderful, wonderful ball across there,
11:10 Leao making it look even better with a wonderful finish in the top corner.
11:14 This was a magical part of the season, obviously so many fixtures against Napoli in,
11:20 I think it was three matches in the space of 12 days, and just the Matadona was silent after that went in.
11:27 And Leao there ran over, I was standing actually right there, ran over to where the Milan fans,
11:32 the travelling Milan fans were, and it was just a very, very special moment in a very special part of the season.
11:37 Very similar until the finish, wasn't it? Very similar run, three defenders close by him, gets past him.
11:42 We've got similar tastes.
11:43 We've got similar tastes, exactly, but this time he went for power as opposed to placing it.
11:49 Wonderful finish.
11:50 And then he went over to thank you and to hug you.
11:52 Exactly, we exchanged a celebration.
11:55 I couldn't have done it without Adriano, is what Rafael might have said.
11:59 So congratulations to Rafael for this important result for him, for the team and for the club.
12:04 But focusing on Europa League, there are still at least 90 minutes for this play-off.
12:11 What should we expect for Thursday night against Rennes, considering especially that they won eight matches
12:21 and nine total matches during this start of 2024, Adriano?
12:27 They're in good form. They're in good form, obviously.
12:30 I think you said, Sheridan, you were a little disappointed with what they put out here at San Siro,
12:35 but this is a team that must be respected, especially on home soil.
12:38 Rennes, a team that had a 3-1 win at the weekend against Clermont in Ligon.
12:43 This is a team that are very hard to beat, and we know every European tie,
12:47 when you go away from home, it has its challenges.
12:51 We want to avoid conceding because obviously we don't want to allow them to get back in.
12:55 So, look, I think a calm and professional approach, especially in the first 45 minutes by Mr Pioli's side here,
13:01 but of course a team that absolutely must be respected.
13:04 Yeah, just don't take any risks. Don't force it.
13:07 Think of your bodies, think of your fitness.
13:09 I don't think Milan have to do anything too energetic.
13:14 They can maybe sit back. Some people might call it an old-fashioned European away performance,
13:20 which is just let the other team play in front of you and try and hit them on the break.
13:24 I think it's very important that Milan just try and maybe conserve some energy.
13:29 Rennes will be going for it, make no mistake about it.
13:31 Rennes, their pride will have been stung by a 3-0 defeat last week at San Siro.
13:36 So, Milan don't need to force the issue.
13:38 Three goals is a luxury in European football, so Milan have earned themselves a bit of breathing space.
13:43 But obviously you have to take it seriously.
13:45 But I'm optimistic that Milan can do it, but Rennes will be really going for it from the off.
13:51 So, after the Europa League and the second leg against Rennes,
13:55 looking to the weekend, the home match against Atalanta, but not good memories against them.
14:01 A couple of meetings already with Atalanta this season, and no, they weren't good memories.
14:07 A couple of defeats, of course, elimination in the Coppa Italia,
14:10 the last meeting, which was in January this year, and obviously the reverse fixture earlier in the season.
14:16 It didn't go our way, but this is big.
14:19 This is a big, big Serie A match, and obviously Rennes to come,
14:24 but there is an eye on this match because this is very important.
14:27 Atalanta have a match in hand as well.
14:30 So when we talk about the race for Champions League football next season, there is pressure coming in.
14:36 We can't shy away from that.
14:37 Gasperini has this Atalanta team in the best form in the league at the moment.
14:42 They've won six straight matches in all competitions, including the Coppa Italia win here at San Siro against Milan.
14:49 It's a team that's going to be hard to beat.
14:51 Of course, a couple of players that are very well known to Milan fans.
14:55 And look, there's still some time to go, of course, because the Rennes match is to come before it.
15:00 But certainly we're going to need to see an improved performance than the one we saw last weekend against Monza against the in-form Atalanta.
15:07 Yes, they're absolutely flying Atalanta.
15:10 Gasperini probably won't enjoy watching that clip of him being sent off in the Coppa.
15:15 But as you said, they won six matches in a row.
15:18 I would respond to that saying that Rennes had won eight matches in a row and Milan managed to beat them.
15:24 So you can end these winning streaks.
15:26 Now is the perfect time for Milan to put the Atalanta hoodoo to bed with a strong result at the weekend.
15:33 That would send a statement out to Serie A.
15:35 I'm confidently predicting that they will do this.
15:38 I feel very good. I've covered a lot of Atalanta this season and I like the way that they play football.
15:43 They're a very, very attractive team.
15:45 I like the timing of the match.
15:47 I like the fact that it will be off the back of the return in the Europa League.
15:51 These players are busy. These players are hungry.
15:53 You'll see the strongest eleven playing from the start.
15:55 I'm very confident we'll see Milan return to winning form.
15:58 Well done. So that's all for Stefano Pialli's letter.
16:01 Now let's move on with our women's team.
16:03 On the final matchday of this regular season, our Rossoneri gained a very important result and satisfaction in their home derby against Inter.
16:19 Very good. We love victories against Inter.
16:22 Don't we, Licia?
16:23 Yeah.
16:24 Very, very important.
16:26 Unfortunately, though, the unfortunate part is, of course, it wasn't enough to get into that top half of the table.
16:33 And now we are at the breakaway point of the season.
16:36 But a 2-1 win against Inter, very well deserved in a tough match.
16:40 Sheridan, I know you covered it very, very closely.
16:43 We'll walk us through the action soon.
16:44 But as you can see there, the confirmation, sixth place, 21 points, five points adrift of Inter.
16:51 And we were discussing it in the weeks in the lead up.
16:53 But unfortunately, it was that one defeat to Suswallow a couple of rounds back, which in the end was the difference.
16:59 But look, great form now to take into the remaining fixtures.
17:03 We'll have the fixtures come out very soon of what's to come, who, where and when.
17:07 And they'll be very proud.
17:09 And again, I think now the focus as we go into the second half of the season will be focused on building to next season and ensuring that the team finish off on a high.
17:17 Yeah, it has to be. I concur with Adriano.
17:21 There's no point in looking at the table.
17:23 It was a disappointing campaign, but winning the Derby is always fantastic.
17:27 This is an own goal by the Inter captain, Alborghetti.
17:32 Obviously, we don't wish own goals upon anyone.
17:34 But Dom Pique had played fantastically to create the situation in which the Inter skipper was forced into the error.
17:41 And, you know, the celebration started. It was an excellent start.
17:45 This was the second goal. Look at this overhead kick assist by Julie Pigat, central defender Adriano.
17:51 But look at that. Very nice. Laid it on for Andreea Saskova.
17:54 Julie Pigat, by the way, had a really good game.
17:57 There were several standout performers in black for Milan, but Julie Pigat was exquisite, as was Kamila Dubkova.
18:05 And just another chance to see that overhead kick and then party time.
18:09 Inter did pull one back right on the cusp of half time, which made it a little bit nervy.
18:16 Alia Guani just not catching the ball there.
18:18 She had a great performance, Alia Guani, but a slight error there.
18:21 Driven in to make it 2-1 to halve the deficit.
18:24 Made the second half a bit nervy, but Milan held on.
18:28 And to beat the neighbours is always fantastic.
18:32 And it's a sign of things to come.
18:34 It's now about building for the future, getting the young players in, getting some injured players back.
18:39 I think the future is bright for Milan.
18:41 Let's forget what happened up until now and let's try and look for a better second part of the season.
18:48 Now it's time for the international break.
18:51 After that, the focus will shift on the Coppa Italia campaign for the double face to face against Roma.
18:59 Very exciting. Of course, still some silverware to play for despite the situation in Serie A.
19:05 Look, there's been some really tight battles between Milan and Roma in recent times.
19:10 Of course, Roma are the defending Serie A champions.
19:13 They are the current leaders and looking very good to defend their crown.
19:17 So it won't be easy, but with Giorgina and Juventus in there as well, the top three teams in Milan,
19:22 this is a great way to continue to compete against the very best in Italy as the Serie A comes to a close.
19:28 So, look, it's going to be tough, but really exciting and a nice way to end the campaign for the ladies.
19:34 Yeah, absolutely. I mean, Adriano said the top teams, women's team, Fiorentina, Roma, Milan belong in there.
19:41 They're not in there in the league. We've discussed that. Move on.
19:44 I said move on and I'm bringing it up again myself, so apologies.
19:47 But in the Cup, it's a different competition.
19:49 It's a chance to try and scare Roma because Roma are the runaway best team in women's football in Italy currently.
19:56 But I think Milan can give them a run for their money and let's hope that things can kick on and it's a trophy.
20:03 And we love trophies at Milan. Everyone knows that.
20:06 That's all also for our Rossoneri and let's move on with our Under-19s.
20:10 Rossoneri fight hard against Genoa, but nothing to do for them. Adriano, what happened?
20:23 A tough one. This was obviously disappointing to go down against.
20:28 Sheridan, you covered this one very closely. It's a disappointing result, but again, I think I say it every week.
20:35 We're not at full strength at this level with the quality across the country.
20:39 It is tough, but in the circumstances here, a 2-1 away to Genoa with a really big match ahead and a busy fixture list.
20:49 It's dropped points. You can see there Genoa in eighth place and obviously now five points difference. Milan now in sixth.
20:56 So look, it's a disappointing outcome and of course Inter ahead as well. You can see them up the top there.
21:03 It's a tough one to swallow.
21:05 Yeah, it wasn't a great match in the sense that without wanting to be rude, Genoa play a very defensive, old-fashioned style of football.
21:15 Trying to be diplomatic, but they played on the break. They got a penalty with one of their only attacks.
21:21 They scored the penalty, then they kind of locked the door again.
21:25 It was a type of football that home teams don't often deploy, but it was effective because they won 2-1.
21:32 And naturally, Mr. Abate, our boss, was frustrated. Milan actually got back into the game and it looked for a second as if they could push on and actually get the full victory.
21:42 It was a goal that was one of many attacks by the Rossoneri, but Genoa just had a plan and the plan was to spoil.
21:52 That was the goal by the fullback, Magni. The plan was to spoil. The plan was to try and squeeze out a couple of chances.
22:00 And Milan unfortunately left Papadopoulos, the towering Genoa striker, free.
22:08 He was on his own to nod it into the goal and Genoa got the victory.
22:13 It was frustrating, but we say it every week and it's true. You have to learn from these things.
22:18 Not every team you play against will let you have the whole pitch to yourself and try and engage with you.
22:24 Some teams will sit back, park the bus, it's also known as.
22:27 Some teams will try and make it tough for you and play a kind of football which is frustrating and you have to learn from it.
22:33 Another one to say, lost the match, did our best, didn't happen, move forward.
22:40 What about Inter that is sitting at the top of the table? Also for Abbas's side, it's derby time.
22:47 Derby time and of course you saw the standings earlier. They're clear at the top and very quickly now have created a nice gap for themselves at the top of the table.
22:58 So obviously this is going to be a nice challenge, but a nice challenge of course with the European football to return as well.
23:06 I think for Abbas's young men here, this is the team you want to be playing now.
23:10 A big match, it's a great warm-up match, it will be obviously respected, but a great preparation match ahead of the return of the UEFA Youth League.
23:19 So look, it will be tough giving Inter's form, Inter won very late on at the weekend.
23:23 But obviously it's a derby and that's all they'll be focusing on and hopefully we can see a return to winning form and some goals like that.
23:31 Yeah, hopefully it's a chance to get back on track. Derbies are always special.
23:37 You don't need to get yourself any extra motivation because it's always nice to beat the neighbours as the women demonstrated.
23:44 Let's hope the youngsters can do the same thing and this Milan side, this Milan squad is as good as anything in the country, but they're just going through a bit of a tough phase.
23:56 However, we're optimistic. Adriano predicted that the men's team, the full team, will beat Atalanta.
24:01 I predict that the Primavera will beat Inter. Love it.
24:06 Good luck to our U19s, we've come to the end of this new episode. Thanks to Adriano Del Monte.
24:14 Thank you guys and it was lovely to see you both again.
24:17 And thanks also to Sheridan.
24:19 My pleasure. Adriano came back from an absence and he just slotted straight back into the show like a true professional that he is.
24:26 See you next week, guys. Dear Rossoneri, that's all for today. Thanks for following us. See you in the next episode of our AC Milan Talk. Ciao!
24:33 [Music]
24:51 (whooshing)