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00:00 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:03 Hello, Rosso Neri, and welcome to Casa Milan Studios.
00:21 This is AC Milan Talk.
00:22 We are ready for a new weekly episode, the new fixtures
00:26 and new performance to discuss with all the going
00:29 on of our favorite team, both on and off the pitch.
00:32 But let's not waste time.
00:34 Welcome to my two guests.
00:36 Welcome to Adriano Del Monte.
00:37 Hi, Adriano.
00:38 Hello, guys.
00:38 Always a pleasure to be back.
00:40 And welcome to Sheridan Bird.
00:41 Ciao, Licia.
00:42 Good day, Adriano.
00:44 So guys, it's a very important week.
00:47 I had the last dance of this serious season
00:51 for Stefano Pioli's side.
00:53 Let's start with our men's first team.
00:55 [MUSIC PLAYING]
00:58 [NON-ENGLISH SPEECH]
00:59 [LAUGHTER]
01:03 Our final away fixture and in defeat to the Rosso Neri
01:08 3-1 loss after a performance less than
01:14 incisive against Torino's Joric Adriano.
01:18 Yes, we knew this one was going to be a challenge.
01:20 We had a lot of respect to Torino
01:22 last week, who are still in the hunt for a European place.
01:25 And they proved why they're on track for a top half finish
01:29 for the first time in a long time.
01:31 But obviously, from our perspective,
01:32 not the performance we would have hoped for.
01:35 Of course, the final match on the road, as you said,
01:37 Licia, for the campaign.
01:39 One match to come.
01:41 But look, I try and put my mind into how it would
01:43 be for a player coming in.
01:45 Of course, you want to finish the season off on a high.
01:47 But as you can see here, the work has been done.
01:49 Second place is secure.
01:51 So look, we want to see them finish off very strongly.
01:54 But against a team that still had plenty to play for,
01:57 that have been very strong at home all season.
01:59 I mentioned their defensive record at home this season
02:01 is the very best in the league.
02:04 It was going to be a challenge.
02:05 And unfortunately, in the end, not enough for us on the night.
02:09 Sure, we can say that the Rossoneri had a rocky start.
02:12 But the game developed poorly for us.
02:16 And AC Milan's reaction came too late.
02:18 Yeah, exactly.
02:19 They tried to claw their way back into the game,
02:21 as a good team should.
02:22 But it wasn't quite enough.
02:24 And I think it's worth mentioning
02:25 that there was more defensive reshuffling with changes
02:30 in personnel.
02:31 And it's just really tough to be consistent over a season
02:35 if you have to keep changing your defense.
02:37 Now, obviously, it's no one's choice to make those changes.
02:40 It's often due to, or exclusively due to,
02:42 injuries with the odd ban.
02:44 The odd player who picks up too many cards, let's say.
02:46 But when you're switching the defense around
02:48 and you can't do anything about it,
02:50 it's always going to cause problems.
02:51 I think history shows us that great teams, great achievements
02:55 are built upon the bedrock of a settled back four, or back three
02:59 occasionally.
03:00 But this season, Milan have had to switch the numbers,
03:03 switch the players around in the defense.
03:05 And you need to have that almost telepathic understanding
03:09 between defenders.
03:10 And when it's different personnel every couple of weeks,
03:12 which has been the unlucky situation Milan and Mr.
03:15 Pioli have found themselves in, you
03:18 are going to run into problems.
03:19 And these were all goals from crosses
03:20 that could have perhaps been dealt with a bit better,
03:24 with a bit more communication.
03:25 But Torino, they really blew Milan away in the first half.
03:29 And then, well, that was a splendid goal.
03:31 We have to give credit where it's due.
03:33 And an ex-Milan, an old friend not being so friendly,
03:36 perhaps, today, Ricardo Rodriguez,
03:38 it was a fine goal for him.
03:39 So personal satisfaction for him.
03:41 But yeah, Milan caught cold.
03:43 But thankfully, at least a goal, a consolation goal.
03:46 Goal de la bandiera, as we say in Italy,
03:48 from the unshakable Ismael Benacer.
03:52 It's a hard defeat to take, especially
03:56 after the great winning night against Cagliari,
03:59 and especially ahead of the last Serie A match day of the season.
04:03 But after the clash against Torino,
04:05 our head coach Stefano Pioli talked to Milan TV,
04:07 sharing his post-match reaction.
04:09 Let's listen.
04:12 In a game like this, you lose more duels,
04:17 you get less second balls.
04:19 Obviously, the opponent had a few more chances.
04:23 But it's also true that we conceded four goals,
04:27 I think, we conceded three goals.
04:28 It's a shame because it wasn't our best night,
04:34 and we could have done more, definitely.
04:36 So, not the best night, but the two goals scored in the first half
04:40 made all the difference, as coach Pioli said.
04:43 Of course, of course.
04:44 And as Sheridan did touch on when we were having a look at the highlights,
04:48 perhaps they'd like to have those moments again
04:51 to organise themselves a little better defensively.
04:55 But that's what happens.
04:56 Not so many shots on target, as Mr Pioli did touch on,
04:59 but they took their chances.
05:00 And that's the difference at the end of the match.
05:02 And unfortunately, why we come away with no points.
05:05 But get the goal back.
05:07 We have seen on so many occasions,
05:09 these Milan teams get back into the match.
05:11 And actually watching this one,
05:13 I did feel that there were more goals to come.
05:15 So, because we have seen it, unfortunately, on...
05:18 Well, there have been a few occasions this season,
05:19 we have gone behind, but then have got ourselves back into the match.
05:23 Wasn't to be...
05:25 Again, not to repeat what I said off the top,
05:27 but it is a strange part of the season
05:29 when now we are in the final fixtures of the campaign,
05:33 second place is secure,
05:34 the other team have so much to play for,
05:36 another make... Well, not a makeshift defence,
05:39 but new defenders playing together.
05:42 It is tough. It is a very, very tough period.
05:44 But I want to see the team finish off on a positive note this weekend.
05:48 And I'm confident we will.
05:50 And we can summary saying that it was a match
05:55 in which our rivals defended very well
05:58 and few chances for us, Sheridan.
06:00 Yeah, I think that's the best way to draw a line under it.
06:02 Obviously, Mr Pioli was disappointed.
06:04 We saw those clips of him on the touchline looking frustrated.
06:08 Sometimes the manager can't do anything about it.
06:10 The team he sends out, if they have a few problems or struggle somewhat,
06:13 it just doesn't go your way.
06:14 And that's what you can do. Put it in the archives, Liceo. It's gone.
06:18 Only our number four on the Resonare Scorchit against Torino
06:23 is Mael Benassere, who scored a consolation goal from the penalty spot.
06:29 But let's listen to his post-match reaction.
06:33 I feel really good.
06:35 It's a shame that only at the end the pace has returned.
06:40 But now I don't have any more physical problems.
06:44 I have no more problems.
06:46 I'm a bit out of breath.
06:48 It was tough.
06:49 It was tough.
06:50 But the pace has returned.
06:52 I'm happy.
06:53 I'm working really hard.
06:56 I hope to do my best to help the team.
07:01 I have a team-mate there, Simon.
07:03 Simon has done a lot for us.
07:07 They have always helped the team in every way they could.
07:16 We thank them very much.
07:20 They are great players, great men.
07:26 They have played for a great club, a great team.
07:33 The least we can do is thank them and hope they end well.
07:41 Focusing on the first part of the season,
07:44 Ismael Benazir's post-match reaction,
07:47 unfortunately he's getting his rhythm back
07:50 only at the end of the season.
07:52 He's a very fit player.
07:54 He's an all-action player.
07:56 When he had a long spell out injured,
07:58 it was inevitable that it would take him some time
08:01 to get back to the high level that we enjoyed witnessing
08:06 because he is an all-action player.
08:08 He's a very fit player.
08:10 He's a superhuman.
08:14 He did a workout video during the lockdown
08:17 on his social media.
08:19 His training on his own account in his private life was incredible.
08:23 He's a very athletic superhuman player.
08:26 It will take him time to get to those levels.
08:29 When he does, it will be a boost for Milan having him back.
08:33 I have to echo those comments.
08:35 He was sorely missed in the first half of the season.
08:38 He was sorely missed in his time that he was absent.
08:43 Of course, just getting back to now full strength,
08:46 full fitness, full form,
08:48 it's unfortunate the season does come to an end.
08:50 But look, there's not too long off-season.
08:54 They'll be back into pre-season.
08:55 He'll be back at full fitness very soon.
08:57 As Ismael Benazir said, Olivier Giroud is leaving
09:01 and Simon Kier too
09:03 because our number 24 announced in an official interview
09:07 with Milan TV that the next one will be his last match
09:11 in Rossone, Rogers.
09:13 Let's listen to an extract from this special con.
09:15 Hi Simon, welcome.
09:19 Thank you.
09:20 Thank you for being here.
09:21 We've come to the end of this long adventure.
09:24 What emotions are you feeling?
09:26 A lot.
09:27 Positive and negative.
09:29 But it's been a couple of months
09:32 where I had the feeling that the end was now.
09:37 And then there's a new adventure.
09:42 So you feel that the end has come at the right time?
09:44 Yes.
09:45 In my four years,
09:50 we've come to a good point.
09:54 But obviously I could have given more
09:57 to give another helping hand.
09:58 But it's the right time.
10:01 You've worn a lot of shirts since you were 18.
10:04 Why is Milan special?
10:07 The story.
10:10 When I was a kid,
10:14 Milan was the top club.
10:17 Obviously Paolo had an impact on that
10:22 because he was the best defender in the world.
10:27 When you're a defender, you follow these players.
10:33 Five seasons for Simon Kier with AC Milan
10:38 and he became a point of reference
10:40 also for the rest of the fans at Dream.
10:42 Absolutely.
10:43 It's been wonderful following his journey very, very closely.
10:46 Of course, it was a player who had a lot of experience in Serie A
10:49 earlier in his career and then made his return.
10:52 And to have had the impact that he did in these years
10:56 is quite remarkable.
10:57 I think he'll go down.
10:59 I think he's not underappreciated.
11:01 I think he's absolutely appreciated,
11:02 but underrated the impact he had.
11:04 I think Milan fans will remember him very fondly.
11:07 I do have a very cool story, Sheridan, about Simon Kier
11:10 because obviously covering a lot of his team in my TV work that I do.
11:14 And I was there at his first ever match when he was first.
11:19 I think he was on loan initially before purchased.
11:22 And it was a Coppa Italia match.
11:23 Milan's Spal.
11:25 I believe it was just before the COVID period.
11:28 And he came in, and I remember Milan fans asking,
11:31 "Who is this defender now that is suddenly starting for us?"
11:34 It was an unexpected signing, three days earlier signed.
11:37 He was playing from the first minute.
11:39 And Milan fans, it was just amazing to watch how quickly
11:42 they fell in love with this player because, as you saw in his words,
11:46 he obviously understands the value of this club.
11:49 He respects the history, the tradition of this club.
11:52 And how quickly fans brought him to the character.
11:55 And that love that he showed them, the respect he showed them,
11:58 he deserved everything that he achieved at this club and more.
12:02 And he's a wonderful individual for club and country.
12:05 He's had some incredible moments for his country as well.
12:08 And whatever he does next in his career on and off the pitch,
12:12 I think he'll excel at everything he does.
12:15 But this club's certainly very appreciative to have had Simon Kier
12:18 for these last years.
12:20 So, emotions are guaranteed on Saturday night with this big goodbye.
12:24 Absolutely. I mean, there's two things I want to add about Kier.
12:28 In the last five years, Milan have had, let's say,
12:31 two Scandinavian leaders in the dressing room at the training ground.
12:35 One has been Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is a bombastic character,
12:38 super confident, he's a huge man, a huge presence.
12:42 But there are other types of leadership, and Simon Kier's leadership
12:45 was more quiet, more considered, more measured, but just as valuable.
12:49 And he's been a good reference point for the younger,
12:52 newer defenders in the squad.
12:54 So he's been a really important part of the jigsaw, you could say.
12:58 And also, we must never forget how he kept Harry Kane quiet
13:01 in the Champions League when Tottenham came to Milan,
13:04 or to Milan, to play Milan, and he man-marked Harry Kane,
13:08 one of the best forwards in the world, and kept him very, very quiet.
13:11 And he was using his know-how, because the body obviously ages,
13:15 and he doesn't have the physical capacities that he once had,
13:18 because no one can beat father time, but he had the mentality
13:21 and the intelligence to really do a great job.
13:23 So he will be sorely missed, but his time here has been fabulous,
13:26 and a pleasant surprise, as Adriano says.
13:29 And talking about the pitch, looking to the weekend against Salerno-Nitana,
13:34 now the only option is to turn the page and give everything against them.
13:38 But what about this team, Adriano?
13:40 Well, we know the situation for Salerno-Nitana,
13:43 it hasn't been the season they would have hoped for,
13:45 and sadly they'll be going down to Serie B next season.
13:50 But this is a celebratory evening for Milan, that's what we're focusing on,
13:55 and yes, a couple of farewells, Giroud as well, that we've touched on
13:59 in recent shows, and Simon Kjær, and an opportunity again for the fans
14:04 to celebrate the season that has been.
14:06 Obviously there have been some aspects that haven't gone as we would have liked,
14:10 but to finish off on a high and take plenty of energy into next season,
14:13 I think is really important, and I think we'll see a five-star Milan performance
14:18 this weekend.
14:19 A Superbocche.
14:20 A Superbocche. I don't know if there'll be five goals,
14:22 but let's hope for a very strong performance and a fitting farewell
14:26 for those two stars.
14:28 Your feelings, Feridun?
14:29 Yeah, exactly. Finish with a football party, finish with goals,
14:32 finish with smiles. Send people on their summer holidays, the fans,
14:36 with a smile on their face, with something positive to think about,
14:39 because it has been a tough season, there have been highs,
14:42 there have been lows, but there's a chance at the weekend
14:45 to finish with some glorious football, a few goals, some smiles,
14:50 some tears of joy, and then plan for next season.
14:53 And we are ready for this last season, for the matchday of Syria,
15:00 and the wait for a new Rossoneri shirt is almost over.
15:03 Yeah.
15:05 Because the new home kit for the next season is ready to make its debut
15:11 on Saturday at San Siro. It will be available on Thursday 23 May.
15:17 It's really beautiful, but we'll talk about it in detail
15:22 during our next AC Milan Talk episode.
15:25 For today, that's all for Stefano Pioli's side.
15:28 Good luck to our Rossoneri for the match against Salernitane,
15:30 and now let's move on with our women's team.
15:39 Sherry Dander, Rossoneri sign off with a win 3-1 over Sampdoria,
15:45 and Aslani brace a goal from Marinelli on the day Fusetti retires.
15:51 A lot happened, there was a lot to take in, but in a similar way
15:55 to we wanted it to be a party for the men's first team,
15:57 it was a party atmosphere for the women, as they said goodbye to the fans
16:01 for the summer. Sampdoria, who had a so-so season,
16:05 but they're still a team that can do some damage,
16:07 it was never going to be easy, but Milan got the result on the pitch.
16:11 As you said, there was some fun, some nice routines,
16:16 some nice commemorative achievements or moments before the game kicked off.
16:21 Laura Fusetti, long-serving central defender, said goodbye as a player.
16:27 She will be staying at the club, but this is the game itself.
16:30 After four minutes, Kosovare Aslani got everything going,
16:34 and the first person she hugged, obviously, Laura Fusetti,
16:37 was a really good finish. Sampdoria's defending was a bit relaxed,
16:40 I think is a diplomatic way to say it, because they left Kosovare alone,
16:44 not once, but if you look at it, this is almost a replica Adriano
16:48 of the first goal. - It goes in.
16:51 - Yeah, it goes in, but Kosovare Aslani was left unmarked
16:54 by the Samp defenders, and I think she was a bit shocked
16:57 about how simple it was herself, but we don't care,
17:00 it's important that it goes in, and that was the beginning
17:03 of the party atmosphere on the pitch, because that was only after 14 minutes.
17:08 Sampdoria did claw one back with a looping header
17:11 from their captain, Cecilia Rey, and for a few moments
17:14 it did feel a bit nervy, were Milan going to let the two-goal lead slip?
17:19 But the answer is, Adriano, they didn't, because Gloria Marinelli,
17:24 with a fabulous finish to make it 3-1, and to cap the carnival atmosphere,
17:29 a 3-1 victory, and as I say, there were lots of celebrations
17:33 for other achievements, but this was a great finish.
17:35 - And Sheldon, you were telling me the story as well,
17:37 Fusetti retires now, finishes her playing days,
17:40 but she's already passed on her shirt, that's correct?
17:44 - Yeah, the number six, which is a very important number
17:47 in Milan folklore, worn by Franco Berese for many years,
17:50 and then retired, for the women it will be passed from Laura Fusetti
17:54 to the captain of the women's youth team, champions of Italy.
17:57 - We saw them last week. - We saw them last week.
17:59 Nadine Sorelli, she will be the number six next season,
18:02 she will move into the first team squad,
18:04 so it's a passing of the torch, if you like.
18:07 - And Fusetti was also the first one in the Rossoneri history
18:12 to reach 100 appearances with AC Milan, no?
18:15 - She is, she is in the history of AC Milan,
18:18 and she's been a fabulous player, fabulous central defender,
18:21 had less of a presence this year, because the club obviously
18:24 are looking towards the future, trying to bring in new players,
18:27 but having Laura Fusetti in the squad has been helpful.
18:30 And now she will be the team manager of the...
18:33 - Still important, have that influence over the team.
18:36 - Continuity, continuity.
18:38 She'll be the team manager of the Primavera,
18:40 so she's the team manager of the Primavera champions of Italy.
18:43 So this is the moment with the president, Paolo Scarroni,
18:47 and the head of women's football at Milan, Elisabetta Spina.
18:51 There's her commemorative plate, and it was a special moment.
18:55 She was very emotional, and I don't blame her,
18:57 if you look closely, even though she's a tough central defender,
19:00 there were a few tears there, Adriano.
19:02 - You can see, but after 135 matches, five seasons,
19:05 a lot of beautiful memories, she will be missed
19:09 and need to replace a player, maybe hasn't been involved
19:12 as much this season, but a figure like that
19:14 who's been in the dressing room.
19:16 - And a lovely guard of honour, Adriano.
19:18 In the 70th minute, she went off to sit on the bench
19:21 and have a drink, to have a sit-down,
19:23 and a guard of honour.
19:25 It was great, a great scene to witness, and fully deserved.
19:29 Lots of high-fives and hugs on the touchline,
19:32 which we like to see. - Of course.
19:34 - A week full of emotions for our Rostroneri,
19:37 but for today, that's all for Curricide.
19:39 Now let's move on with our Under-19s.
19:41 - E noi, ragazzi!
19:48 - Many things to say for our Under-19s.
19:52 Torino came back against our Rostroneri,
19:55 but a 3-3 draw was enough to secure a spot for us
19:58 in the final round. - Absolutely.
20:00 First thing, a really good match,
20:02 the last match of the season against Torino.
20:05 Milan were three goals up, we'll see it all in a second,
20:08 that's just the confirmation.
20:10 Milan only needed a point to get into the playoffs
20:13 for the championship, and when they went 3-0 up,
20:16 it looked like that was going to happen.
20:18 They were on easy street.
20:20 But Torino are a fine, fine team,
20:22 and they made things difficult.
20:24 But Milan held on and are into the playoffs,
20:27 which I'm sure we'll talk about in a second,
20:29 but I just want to have a look at the match now
20:32 against Torino, look at the highlights,
20:34 because it really was an emotional match.
20:36 Torino actually had the better of the first half.
20:39 Milan were playing rather conservatively by their standards,
20:43 they were almost sitting back playing an old style of football,
20:45 which is against their nature.
20:47 But in the second half, there were three goals in about 15 minutes.
20:51 This is the first goal for Milan, a mistake from Torino,
20:54 that was Diego Sier, really tidy finish.
20:57 And Torino basically had done so well in the first half
21:01 and were causing Milan problems,
21:03 but they had a bit of a doze at the back.
21:05 Then, not long later, it was Clinton and Siala,
21:08 one of my favourites, they're all my favourites.
21:11 President Clinton, as I call him, made it 2-0,
21:14 and Torino were starting to look like they were resigned
21:18 to the fact that it wasn't to be their day.
21:20 Look at this finish. You've got to beat it.
21:22 The trick is getting there, not the finish.
21:24 And then it was a counter-attack.
21:26 This is the goal that made it 3-0.
21:28 This is the perfect counter-attack, Adriano.
21:30 And you've got to finish them, Sheridan.
21:32 You do at that time. A lot of quality.
21:34 This team have been playing in this form.
21:36 We spoke about coming into this match, this was effectively a final.
21:39 This was the start of the playoffs.
21:41 To come out like that and put three past Torino away from home,
21:44 wonderful, but then, obviously, Torino are a good team
21:47 and they found their way back.
21:49 There was a bit of a lapse from Milan,
21:51 and what looked very comfortable, Licia, suddenly got a bit nervy.
21:56 And let's just say that when the first one went in,
21:59 the Milan team suddenly just looked a bit, as I say,
22:02 a bit agitated, a bit tired, and it was a very warm day.
22:07 So it was quite nerve-wracking at the end,
22:10 but Torino, they did get the equalizer and they did make it 3-3.
22:14 And they deserved the draw, by the way,
22:16 because they are a fine team with some very exciting players.
22:19 But that wasn't enough.
22:21 So as a neutral, you'd probably say, "What a great match."
22:24 As Milan folk, you would say, "Great match,"
22:26 but thankfully Torino didn't turn it around and make it 4-3,
22:29 because that would not be what Milan deserved,
22:32 because they deserved to be in the playoffs.
22:34 And the goal to make it 3-3 was a penalty,
22:37 and you can see the dejection on the Milan players.
22:40 I think there was an element of panic
22:44 as the Torino side scored this penalty and pushed in additional time,
22:49 but Milan held on.
22:51 Fortunately, not enough for them in the end.
22:53 So in the end, the three goals Milan got,
22:55 enough, go through, and we saw the standings there.
22:57 They're calling for that final whistle, of course.
22:59 It had to come at some point, it did, and then that result is enough.
23:03 They did it the hard way in the end, but they're there, they're through.
23:06 And now we saw the standings,
23:08 but 1-2 basically through to the next round of the playoffs.
23:11 You could see from the standings it was Inter and Roma.
23:14 Milan will play Lazio, who finished third.
23:16 Lazio had a draw with Empoli away from home at the weekend.
23:19 So an opportunity to get the win there
23:22 and go through to the semifinal stage of the competition,
23:25 and another trophy potentially up for grabs.
23:28 So an exciting end, you can see here.
23:30 So Lazio against Milan coming up.
23:33 Atalanta, Sassuolo, the other one, Roma, and Inter already through there.
23:37 So big clubs, a lot of quality in the Primavera here in this country,
23:42 which is so wonderful for the development of our young players
23:45 and young players right across the country.
23:47 And a very, very good team will eventually win.
23:51 If I can just add on, firstly, I'd say if you can,
23:53 tune in to this match, but Milan have to win.
23:56 That's the key thing.
23:57 A draw isn't enough because Lazio finished higher
24:00 than the young Losoneri.
24:01 So it's almost a cut match.
24:03 Exactly. If it's a draw, there's no extra time, Lazio go through.
24:07 So Milan have to win.
24:08 But what I've noticed with this young group
24:10 is that when the pressure's on, when they have to win,
24:12 they normally find a result.
24:14 So I'm feeling optimistic, and I would say if you can,
24:17 tune in because I think it could be an exciting match.
24:19 It would be a great way to end this season
24:21 because they deserve a trophy, these young fellas.
24:24 Well done, guys.
24:25 So with this excellent focus on our U19s,
24:28 we come to the end of this penultimate episode of this season.
24:33 I'm very sad.
24:34 Yes, we're sad, but we're looking forward to still what's to come.
24:38 Yeah, I'm looking forward to next week,
24:40 and we might have the new shirt.
24:41 Who knows? There's lots to be optimistic about.
24:45 So, guys, see you next week for the last episode
24:48 of this AC Milan Talk season,
24:51 in which we will announce all the Rossoneri awards
24:55 for 2023-2024.
24:58 Thanks, as always, to our mighty friends.
25:00 Thank you, Adriano.
25:02 A lot of fun, as always, Licia.
25:03 Good luck to our team this weekend.
25:05 And thank you, Sheridan.
25:06 Thank you, and thank you, Adriano.
25:08 Have a great weekend, everyone.
25:09 Dear Rossoneri, see you next week,
25:11 as always, on our AC Milan Talk.
25:13 Ciao.
25:15 ( music playing )
25:18 ( crowd cheering )
25:31 (audience laughing)
25:34 (whooshing)