Milan CEO Ivan Gazidis looked ahead to the decisive match against Atalanta and the importance of the fans’ support.
The Rossoneri can secure their first Scudetto in a decade with a win over Gian Piero Gasperini’s side on Sunday evening, leaving supporters anxious. Inter only sit two points behind, so Stefano Pioli’s side cannot afford any slip ups as the season draws to a close.
Speaking on Milan’s Twitch channel, Gazidis first underlined how important the fans’ support has been as the team fight for the league title.
“We are all thinking about this great match, but I would like to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to our fans, because on Sunday at the San Siro we will reach one million attendances since the start of the season.
“It’s incredible, it’s a support that has given us great strength during this special season. This unity, this pride gives us confidence, we’re looking forward to Sunday and the next game too.”
He touched on the global nature of the Rossoneri’s fanbase.
“We have more than 500 million fans from all over the world, on Sunday maybe there will be 10,000 from abroad all at the San Siro for Milan-Atalanta. In our stadium there have been fans from 192 different countries in total, this feeling of being part of a big family is very nice.
“A family that gives us personal feelings is not big in that sense, it’s very personal. Even on the road, it’s incredible, in the cold, at night, in the rain, everywhere. We felt this support, this strength.
“That’s why I think this season wouldn’t have been possible without this sense of unity. They have always been there with us, we have felt this feeling. The team, the coach, the staff, everyone felt this strength, this support.”
The Rossoneri CEO commented on the atmosphere within the club.
“We all feel the same emotion, it’s something special. This feeling doesn’t happen often, for me this unity is the strength of a great club like Milan. With this unity everything is possible for this club.
“I believe in this club, I believe in these players, I believe in our ability to overcome challenges. We now certainly have difficult challenges ahead of us, but at the same time we have confidence and strength, this strength also comes from our fans.”
Gazidis looked ahead to Milan’s next match against Atalanta. A win secures their first Scudetto in a decade.
“I look forward to it like the fans, absolutely the same. This passion is special, not every club has this pride. For me it’s a great pleasure to see this club with this unity.”
He discussed his visit to Milanello today and the mindset of the players as they approach the Atalanta clash.
“I find the players concentrated but also calm, with the same approach that we have experienced in the past.
“They have confidence not only in these emotions but also in their qualities, which are there. Now we must seize this great opportunity with positivity. I don’t feel fear, I feel a great desire to take these two big steps.”
Finally, Gazidis gave his thoughts on coach Stefano Pioli.
“Stefano is always calm, a great man. Not just a coach but for all of us. We would like to make this challenge ours also for the coach, he is a special person.”
Gazidis: "In trasferta, al freddo, di notte, con la pioggia: i nostri tifosi sono incredibili" https://t.co/viIIGW5udU
— MilanNews.it (@MilanNewsit) May 12, 2022