On the eve of AC Milan’s UEFA Champions League campaign, Spanish striker Alvaro Morata shared his thoughts in a pre-match press conference. The Rossoneri are set to face Liverpool at San Siro in their first match of the new league-format competition.
Morata expressed his excitement about the upcoming match, stating, “Since I signed for this club, one dreams of playing against Liverpool at San Siro. I didn’t expect it to be the first Champions League match; it could be a semi-final or a final. We want to work at our best to make the fans proud. We can’t wait to play this game.”
The striker emphasized the unique nature of the Champions League, saying, “The Champions League is the Champions League, it’s different from everything else. It’s true that we needed a win to get to this game, but in the Champions League, it doesn’t matter how you arrive. When you train with that ball, you understand the importance and history.”
Morata showed confidence in the team’s abilities, declaring, “There’s a lot of quality in this team, and we can win against anyone.” He also highlighted the responsibility that comes with wearing the Milan jersey, particularly noting the significance of the number 7 on the sleeve.
Regarding the differences between Italian and English football, Morata observed, “In my opinion, the biggest difference is the physical aspect. It’s true that many years ago, everyone said it was the most entertaining league and much more of a show, but in Italy in recent years, no one was used to seeing 3-3 or 4-4 draws. The Italian league has changed, it’s much more attractive, and there are high-level teams, similar to the Premier League in this sense. But the Italian league is more fun.”
The Spanish forward praised the quality within the Milan squad, stating, “I’ve had the fortune to play in many different teams, but rarely have I seen as much quality as here at Milan. But sometimes quality is not enough; you have to believe you can do it.”
Morata also touched on the team’s recent improvement, saying, “In the last few weeks, there has been a change; we want to win always. We must be aware that we are here to win and not to pass the time.”
When asked about the physical condition of the team, Morata expressed confidence: “I’m very confident and positive, and physically I’m fine. I wouldn’t be available if I couldn’t give everything I have inside.”
Finally, Morata praised his teammate Fofana for his efforts to integrate into the team: “Fofana speaks Italian, but he tries to speak Spanish with me, Portuguese with others. This is important. If you want to adapt like this as soon as you arrive in a team, it’s an important thing. He’s doing everything to integrate. I like how he commands behind me. He can become a pillar of this team.”
