Ignazio Abate wants to target Champions League qualification with Milan, but admits the team must be realistic.
In the last few years the Rossoneri's strategy on the market and on the pitch proved largely fruitless, but president Silvio Berlusconi did succeed in providing an Italian core for his team.
Ignazio Abate wants to target Champions League qualification with Milan, but admits the team must be realistic.
In the last few years the Rossoneri's strategy on the market and on the pitch proved largely fruitless, but president Silvio Berlusconi did succeed in providing an Italian core for his team.
“I always shared this philosophy,” Abate told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “It's important to have a foundation made up of Italian players. Having a sense of belonging is vital, especially so that you can convey the values of the past to the younger players.
“Italian footballers, when they play in Italy, are under greater pressure. They live their profession manically, while foreigners who don't have that type of culture, less so.
“Here it's not like in England, where they go drinking after the game. You can make a mistake on the pitch, but not outside of it. I look around and I see a solid group of Italians in Milan, and I think that's where we should start again from.”
The 29-year-old was then asked what objectives the Diavolo could aim for this year.
“If I had to let my gut do the talking, I'd say that I can't stand being out of the Champions League anymore. It's been far too long. Or in any case you can fail to qualify, but at least you have to keep fighting for it to the end.
“If I were to answer more rationally, however, I'd say that qualifying for Europe, in general, would be a nice step forward. We have to work very hard on our self-esteem and our awareness, as we've been short of both in the last three years.”
Abate was asked about the many Coaches that Milan kept changing over the last seasons.
“The sacking of [Sinisa] Mihajlovic was an unpleasant surprise. None of us expected it. He had control of the changing room and we'd bonded well. He's a good Coach and a great man.
“Pippo [Inzaghi] was wise to accept a job at Venezia. Not everyone would have done that and he showed great humility.
“Cristian [Brocchi], among the debut coaches I've seen over my career, is the one who seemed most ready. He is destined to great things.
“As for [current Coach Vincenzo] Montella, he is well prepared, he has a precise idea of football, his personality is balanced, he doesn't speak very much but he always hits the nail on the head. And his training sessions are fun.
“I hope I can retire in these colours someday, if I deserve it. I can't see myself anywhere else. We'll see what happens after that.
“I used to think I'd coach, but I rather see myself in a suit now. I like the idea of handling the market, I could see myself as a sporting director.”