Yacine Adli is getting to know his new role at Milan, reveals how Stefano Pioli gave him confidence and what he will not do in order to secure the Scudetto.
The midfielder was purchased from Girondins de Bordeaux in 2021 and left there on loan for another season, then spent practically all of last term on the bench.
He looked set to do the same this year too, but found himself flung into the starting XI by an injury crisis and took the most of the opportunity to impress coach Stefano Pioli.
“I do get to play a bit more, but I have always tried to learn and grow. I am doing well, but it is just the beginning and I have so much more to learn,” Adli told Sport Mediaset.
“Pioli has always made me feel like part of the squad and gave me advice. A moment that really gave me a boost was just before Roma-Milan, the first game after the transfer market closed. Pioli came to me and said he was very happy I was staying at Milan. That gave me a lot of confidence.”
Adli had to fill in for injured Ismael Bennacer and Rade Krunic, so taking on a different midfield playmaker role to his usual approach.
“I really like the new role and work to improve in every training session. Bennacer is like a brother, but I really get along with Krunic too. Competition helps teams to get stronger and we are all friends off the field.”
When there are comparisons with others, including Andrea Pirlo and Zinedine Zidane, Adli shrugs them off.
“I am just Adli. Pirlo and Zidane are fantastic players, it is difficult to get even close to that level. I try to do my best for Milan, that is what matters. I will never forget the standing ovation I received at San Siro, that was a dream come true.”
Milan are preparing to face Juventus in a Scudetto showdown this weekend, though it is too early to be a decisive match.
“We are top of the table now, but there is a long road ahead and there are many teams involved, Juve, Inter, perhaps Atalanta, Napoli, Lazio… It will be a hard-fought campaign with difficult matches to the end.
“When you are at Milan, you play to win. The Scudetto is one of our objectives, but we don’t talk about it every day or put pressure on ourselves. We are focused on taking it one game at a time.”
When asked if he will cut off his trademark hair to secure Milan take the Serie A title, Adli admits he wouldn’t go that far. But why should Milan fans believe in Adli?
“Believe in me because I am kind. I will always give my maximum, all of myself, for Milan, but above all the fans must believe in the team.”