Sandro Tonali sat down for an in depth interview with MilanTV.

After three intense months after which a World Cup break, Serie A returns in lower than a month and the Rossoneri know they’ll must have a really robust second half of the season so as to win the Scudetto for the second time in a row.

The Diavolo are actually in Dubai for a coaching camp and yesterday Tonali, one in all Milan’s symbols, held an interview with MilanTV:

We’re in Dubai for this coaching camp. What are your first ideas after returning to work following nearly a month away?
“My emotions are optimistic as a result of we’re again collectively after some time aside. A number of the guys had been on worldwide responsibility. Then there are those that went to the World Cup and are already again. The others will arrive within the subsequent few days. We’re joyful to be again collectively as we look forward to the second a part of the season.”

What impact has this example had on you? You’re used to extra normal seasons that start on the finish of August and end on the finish of Could. This time round, there’s an extended break after three very intense months.
“It’s a bit uncommon however, in soccer, you must be prepared for something. It’s been a take a look at for us with these three months the place we performed as soon as each three days, adopted by such an extended break, one thing which may be very uncommon in soccer, after which there’s the ultimate half of the marketing campaign. Nevertheless, as I mentioned, you must be prepared for something. We have to do the identical issues we did within the first a part of the season and enhance within the second half.”

How did you benefit from the roughly 20 days you had off? Did you may have time to relaxation, get away and meet up with individuals who you don’t typically get to see throughout the season?
“I believe crucial factor about this break was having the ability to relaxation. We did this as finest we might. Now, it’s time to return to the pitch and go once more, to have clearer heads than throughout the first a part of the season and play with none worries.”

We’re right here whereas the World Cup is occurring in Qatar. How has the event been for you and have you ever been capable of get in contact together with your teammates concerned in it? As you mentioned, some are already again.
“Sure, just a few. I spoke with Rafa [Leão] Simon [Kjær], the French guys. I used to be additionally capable of have a chat with Charles [De Ketelaere]. They talked a bit about what it was like there and what the World Cup was like. I’m happy for our two Frenchmen, who can nonetheless win it. We want all of them one of the best.”

Sadly, Italy didn’t qualify for this World Cup. You’re a part of the Azzurri setup. How can the staff bounce again forward of the Euros, a contest that Italy received final time?
“Not being concerned within the World Cup for the second time in a row hurts, particularly this yr. After successful the Euros, not qualifying wasn’t good. Nevertheless, we are able to’t let our heads drop. We have to bounce again conscious that there’s a European Championship to play for and we’re a robust staff.”

As regards tough moments, has there been a specific one who you’re actually near and who has been there throughout probably the most difficult moments of your profession and, above all, your life?
“There have been many individuals, beginning with my household and my girlfriend. After which there have been many individuals within the sport who’re a part of the staff and on the workers who actually lend their assist. Individuals who I’ve grown near over time and because the years have passed by. They show you how to by offering recommendation that you simply maybe want throughout tough moments.”

We’re in Dubai, a metropolis that has grown exponentially and at an unimaginable charge up to now few years. Can each you and Milan relate to this since your arrival? Are you at the moment on such a trajectory?
“Sure, we’ve made nice strides ahead. We began with the fundamentals and, slowly however absolutely, by taking one step at a time, we ended up successful the Scudetto final season. We now have a robust staff that may compete in each sport. Final season was proof of our journey, which didn’t simply happen final yr. It was the end result of a journey we’d undertaken collectively alongside the Coach.”

Within the final couple of days, we had been capable of have a dialog with Zlatan Ibrahimović, who talked to us about how, additionally because of his expertise, he experiences soccer and loads else, too. On the age of twenty-two, how do you take care of the stress? How do you deal with sure private and soccer moments? What was successful like? Past pleasure, what feelings did you expertise? Do you now really feel extra accountable? How did you expertise it?
“It’s tough to elucidate however each nice and dangerous moments have to be skilled with emotion since you’re at Milan and you must give loads each throughout tough occasions and through moments when all the pieces goes nicely, as was the case final season. Our stage must be very excessive. Everybody calls for loads so there’s by no means a sport the place your requirements and focus can drop. We all know that we’re at Milan and we have to give all the pieces. An unusually excessive normal is required. At this level, we’re used to taking part in as Milan gamers ought to. We have to do that in all of the video games we play carrying this shirt.”

You’re used to being an Milan participant however I think about that it’s at all times been particular. You’ve typically confused how a lot of a dream it’s to put on the Rossoneri shirt. The impression you give each day… There was the footage of you giving a younger fan a shirt in one of many final matches. Do such gestures show you how to nurture your relationship with the followers daily?
“Taking part in for Milan offers you a way of… it means doing loads. It isn’t sufficient to win a match after which sit again. Each week… for the Coach, excessive requirements are necessary throughout coaching, too. He cares about each small element and he transmits this to us. That is very important. We now have a terrific relationship. The Coach makes us perceive that we have to present all the pieces we have now and provides all the pieces we are able to on the pitch and through each coaching session.”

What sort of individual is Stefano Pioli and what sort of determine has he been in your profession?
“When it comes to his character, he’s a humble individual. I believe he’s a useful individual for everybody, together with myself. He’s been particularly useful in my case as a result of he is aware of the way to coach me. There was a barely tough second for me however he understood me immediately and we continuously talked. We nonetheless do now. I believe he’s been a significant a part of my journey right here at Milan. I’d wish to thank him. For us, he’s our helper greater than our Coach. He’s somebody who talks to you on daily basis. That is particularly the case with me. He helps you in all respects each on and off the pitch. He’s a improbable individual.”

In your opinion, what does it imply to be a frontrunner?
“We now have a number of leaders right here at Milan. Beginning with the most important chief of all, Ibra. He at all times offers us… With him, it’s like having a second head coach. He has extra expertise than all of us put collectively. He might help us loads and has already carried out so however he might help us take the following step all collectively. He and Simon [Kjær] have… performed in a number of European leagues and been profitable. They know what it means to win and construct on success. They’re the primary leaders who can push us ahead.”

You’re nonetheless very younger however have been right here for just a few seasons now and you’ve got the precise charisma to introduce new arrivals to the altering room. How are you serving to all these kids who’re arriving? What sort of assist are you offering to assist them settle in?
“We’re a really younger group so it’s straightforward for a brand new teammate to get built-in. We’re fortunate to have an open group the place the gamers are prepared to do something for one another. That is one thing that made a distinction final season, too.”

You made your one hundredth Milan look in Cremona. Should you shut your eyes, the place do you dream of being in 4-5 years?
“I don’t know however I hope… I’ll play many extra video games on this shirt and never simply in 5 years’ time. I actually hope to… win trophies and put on this shirt as a lot as potential.”

I’ve obtained two extra issues to ask you. Milan is popping 123. Given the connection you’ve at all times had with the Membership, first as a fan after which as a participant, do you wish to say something particularly?
“Anyone who has performed for Milan is aware of what it means to put on this shirt. We’re the most recent gamers to take action. Trying again to final season, we maybe understood what it means to triumph with Milan just a few months after successful the Scudetto. It took some time to sink in. This can be a crucial shirt in each Italian and European soccer and we’re proud to put on it.”

One very last thing: we’re looking forward to the longer term now as a result of in 2023, we have now a Supercoppa Italiana showdown with Inter. You’ll be concerned in your first Champions League spherical of 16 tie after which there would be the remaining levels of the league season. What are you anticipating the brand new yr to convey? How motivating is it to be concerned in such a busy schedule the place there’s the chance to expertise extra pleasure after such a superb 2022.
“It’s nice that we’ll have so many video games and taking part in so typically is nice. We all know what it’s wish to play each three days. We did this for the primary three months. We’re very a lot prepared for this. The preparations we’re at the moment enterprise will assist us as we begin the following and remaining a part of the season. A number of issues await us. The very first thing we have to do is win however take issues sport by sport.”