ANDREA POLI believes Milan need to take it one game at a time and stated: “When I hear the word Milan, for me it means victory.”
Poli was bought out from Sampdoria (he was co-owned) this summer and has been used a lot by coach Filippo Inzaghi, usually on the right side of a three-man midfield, playing in nearly every match in pre-season and the Italian Serie A.
“The fans? The compliments are pleasing. We always try to give our all, from now until the end of the season,” Poli told the Milan Channel in an interview today. “Let’s hope we can achieve a lot and reach our pre-set goal at the start of the year. All this passes through work. With commitment, work and desire we can do everything.
“Against Fiorentina it will already be a fundamental match. Scoring? A midfielder has to score goals. I’ve come close, but it’s not easy. I want to however improve on this aspect. It’s an aspect that I can improve. The atmosphere? There’s a positive spirit. After a season like last year, it has to be like this. We come off the back of a negative year, but there’s a desire for revenge and to do well. You can see that I think. The spirit will take us through this year. We want to continue like this.
“We’re expecting a fundamental match against a very strong rival which has to be approached with the right determination and that will say a lot about us. Muntari? He is a very positive guy, just like many other of my team-mates. They joke with me, just like many others. I’m a person that speaks very little about himself, I will always try to do my best for Milan.
“I work well with Abate and Honda. We play a lot together and clearly the understanding increases. We can do even better, because we cannot settle. We have to think one step at a time. Objectives? I often hear talk of the Scudetto, but we’re thinking about match after match and improving as a team. We’ve had a good start to the season. We’ve made steps forward with respects to pre-season. I now look at our matches and see a positive style. We can improve but only though work. Let’s think about Sunday; then we’ll see where we can go. When I hear the word Milan, for me it means victory.
La Nazionale? To remain a part of the Italy squad is an objective that I’m aiming for. It’s an honour to wear the Azzurri jersey, that I’ve always worn since the youth levels. It’s very important and the first matches with coach Antonio Conte have been positive. He’s a very prepared coach, with a great spirit and it’s a pleasure to be a part of this group.
“The floods in Genoa? They were moments of fear in Genoa and we feel close to the people affected by this tragedy. I thank those who have worked to resolve everything. The citizens of Genoa did a great job. I’m upset: when you see images like those in Genoa, it’s painful. We’re close to the people.” Poli of course spent many years there wearing the jersey of Samp.
“Comparison with Gennaro Gattuso? I met Gattuso – he is a great player and a great man. It’s a comparison that flatters me. He’s achieved great things, but now it’s down to us to achieve something important,” continued the 25-year-old.