Adriano Galliani reveals why Milan right-back Ignazio Abate was left out of the Italy squad and hails Keisuke Honda.
Adriano Galliani reveals why Milan right-back Ignazio Abate was left out of the Italy squad and hails Keisuke Honda.
Abate impressed again in a 2-0 victory over Chievo on Saturday evening, but was not included in Antonio Conte’s side for Euro 2016 qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Malta.
“Abate has problems with his ankle and that’s why he wasn’t called up, as he needs some time on the treatment table,” CEO Galliani told Milan Channel.
“Abate is super and we needn’t worry about him, as there’s nobody in Italy who plays like he does. I know that I’m biased, but I don’t see how Italy could not play him.”
Honda scored his fourth goal of the season with a curling free kick and Galliani joked about the difference from last term.
“They had sent us Honda’s brother, but we complained and this summer they gave us the real one… I am already distraught that he’ll be away for all of January at the Asian Cup. He’s an important player and last year took a while to adapt, especially as he didn’t have pre-season training with us.”
Honda arrived in January from CSKA Moscow on a Bosman, while Alex was also out of contract with PSG this summer.
“People seem to act as if all the free agents are rubbish players who can’t play football, but the truth is it takes more ability to find a good free agent than to spend millions on a player.”
Galliani also confirmed Riccardo Montolivo will have another specialist consultation on his fractured leg at the end of the month.
“If the bone has healed, then he can start training again and could be ready to play in the second half of November.”