Diego Lopez has reflected on life so far at Milan, similarities to Real Madrid and faith in Fernando Torres and Pippo Inzaghi.
The Spaniard is working with the Rossoneri following a summer switch from the Spanish capital and so far is happy with life in Milan, where he also senses similarities to his previous club.
Diego Lopez has reflected on life so far at Milan, similarities to Real Madrid and faith in Fernando Torres and Pippo Inzaghi.
The Spaniard is working with the Rossoneri following a summer switch from the Spanish capital and so far is happy with life in Milan, where he also senses similarities to his previous club.
“The similarities with Real Madrid are there,” Lopez has admitted to Milan Channel today.
“Both clubs are very large, they have a great corporate organisation and infrastructure such as the stadium, the headquarters and the training base. We are talking about two very important clubs in the world.
“I am settling in well, I’m slowly getting to know the city and my teammates better. I hope that everything is positive for the future and I want to continue like this.”
On the future, the 32-year-old was asked of the objectives the club have set this season.
“We can fight with the bigger teams. The only way to put things right is to work day by day as we are doing.
“The team can fight to stay ahead, but we must play every game, Sunday after Sunday each time competing for the three points, starting with Parma.
“We must not think of anything, only the match and the result.”
Lopez saved a penalty in his competitive debut for the Rossoneri in Week 1’s 3-1 win over Lazio.
“I am very happy, especially for the team’s victory. It was important to start well, to take all three points. The personal performance was alright [Lopez saved a penalty], whilst it was essential to build up confidence for the upcoming games.”
Lopez moved to Milan following a successful 18 months at Madrid, where he generally kept Iker Casillas out of the first team.
“In Madrid there were particular circumstances. There was a chance to come to Milan and I jumped at it, I have a lot of confidence in this team.
“I know that we will be able to recover what was lost last year and also that the club will maintain its strength and its importance, which it has always had.
“We will try to give our all, to return Milan to where it belongs. I must admit that I was influenced in my choice by Carlo Ancelotti and [Real Madrid and former Milan goalkeeping Coach] William Vecchi, who have always spoken highly of this club.
“I cannot lie and say that there is anything wrong with what they have told me. I want to thank them too, for me being here.
“The new goalkeeping Coach [Alfredo Magni]? Good, very good. We are working a lot, both on details in our game and on personal aspects. I am very pleased to be working with him.
“And the defence? I find them well. More than the individual, there is talk of a squad, we must always defend and attack as 11.”
Lopez’s compatriot Fernando Torres is also at San Siro, following a two-year loan move from Chelsea.
“Torres is a very important purchase for Milan. Fernando has always done amazing things, he has experience and no-one in the squad has his profile.
“He will bring a lot of goals, speed, work and I believe that he will be very important for everyone.
“Comparisons with Balotelli? Torres will be more useful than Mario. He has all the features to succeed in this squad. He has already done so in other teams in the past.”
Lopez also had positive words for his new Coach.
“Pippo Inzaghi has been training for just a few years but you can see in the details that he is already a great Coach.
“People recognise themselves in him and he has the aptitude to become really great. I’m really happy to be working with him both in the professional profile as Coach and as a person who is very close to us.”