Simon Kjaer took to the pitch with Milan for the first time in 2022 today in their pre-season friendly against Olympique Marseille, eight months after suffering a cruciate ligament rupture.
The 33-year-old Danish defender’s season was derailed last December after he suffered an incredibly serious knee injury only minutes into a league match against Genoa. The injury ended Kjaer’s campaign, forcing him to remain on the sidelines as his teammates lifted the Scudetto for the first time in a decade.
Speaking to Milan TV today, Kjaer first discussed how it feels to return to the pitch following such a serious injury.
“I’m very happy. Eight months ago… It was a very long journey but also fun in a few months, then coming back with the team after suffering eight months.
“I’m happy to be here with my teammates. Now there is the need to grow, both with the team and with personal work.”
He touched on how he feels now heading into the new season.
“I’m fine. Of course I miss the rhythms of play, you can do whatever you want in training but the real game is something different. Now I need to play, but always mentally focused.”
The Danish defender gave his thoughts on Milan’s 2-0 friendly win over a fiery Olympique Marseille side.
“It went very well today against a strong opponent, who have a lot of quality and play man-to-man like Atalanta or Verona.
“Our departments did well, we are growing physically. We are at a good point, then as we said last year, we work every day to grow. Today we had good practice, a good game against a strong opponent.”
Finally, Kjaer spoke about the importance of picking up another clean sheet, even in a pre-season friendly.
“It’s important to say that those up front are doing an amazing job with the pressing. If there is that pressing up front it’s a big advantage for us at the back. If there isn’t that pressing, then with the quality of the opponents we meet they could score.
“We are working on the defensive phase with the whole team. High line but we are also compact, from that point of view we are very good.”
He’s a very smart player tactically. I think he will go into coaching almost immediately after retiring.