Milan defender Simon Kjaer claims Theo Hernandez ‘listens’ to what he says but warns his teammates ‘anything can happen’ in football games.
Milan secured a 1-0 win over Sassuolo on Saturday in the last game of the year. It brought relief to the Rossoneri and Stefano Pioli who could have been sacked if the Diavoli had lost the game.
“There’s a united group that is working every day to continue on the same path together, it’s fundamental,” Kjaer told DAZN as quoted by Milannnews.
“The mental aspect is not so easy; I see the team’s mentality every day, and I see a united team. We all love each other, there isn’t somebody who goes the other way,” he continued.
“In football, some situations during a game can change everything. You can concede goals when you dominate. I remember a match against Liverpool when we were winning at the break at Anfield and I asked the team: ‘How are we winning?’ because Liverpool had really put us under pressure. It means anything can happen in a good or bad way.
“As a team, we always try to react in difficult moments. We could have done more in some situations, but we also tracked back for 50 meters sometimes to help the team defensively, and I feel this is a good signal.”
Kjaer was the only first-team centre-back available against Sassuolo and Theo Hernandez joined him in central defence.
The France international is a natural left-back but has sometimes played in central defence this season to help Pioli cope with an injury crisis at the back. Kjaer was asked how it feels to play alongside Theo in central defence.
“Sometimes I have to tell him: ‘Stay here, don’t run forward,” Kjaer replied smiling.
“He is an instinctive player, that’s his strength. You have to choose the right moment when you play as a centre-back, but he listens to what I say so it’s okay.”
Milan’s next game is a Coppa Italia fixture against Cagliari at San Siro on January 2, 2024. The Rossoneri currently sit third in the Serie A table with 36 points, nine below leaders Inter.
The next league game is away at Empoli on January 7 2024.