Andrea Bertolacci calls Milan 'Italy's most important team' and believes Juventus have 'weakened' themselves.

The young midfielder was about to be recalled from his Genoa co-ownership by Roma, but Milan's offer of €20m convinced the club from the capital to let him go.

The high price-tag comes with a great deal of responsibility, but like his teammate Alessio Romagnoli, he seems unfazed.

Andrea Bertolacci calls Milan 'Italy's most important team' and believes Juventus have 'weakened' themselves.

The young midfielder was about to be recalled from his Genoa co-ownership by Roma, but Milan's offer of €20m convinced the club from the capital to let him go.

The high price-tag comes with a great deal of responsibility, but like his teammate Alessio Romagnoli, he seems unfazed.

“I draw nothing but pride from it,” he said, in an interview with Tuttosport. “And anyway I think it's the result of my performances last year.

“I proved my quality and I think I kept a high level over the past season. I even made it to the national team.

“I think what happened was normal. Roma were going to invest in me, they told me as early as April that they meant to bring me back [from the co-ownership with Genoa].

“Then Milan's offer changed everything. The terms were hard to turn down for Roma and for myself alike. That's how it went and I have no regrets.”

The 24-year-old then discussed his arrival amid the Rossoneri.

“Milan are a great family, it was really easy to integrate myself with the group as well as with the people who work around the team.

“I've reached the top, I'm in the most important team in Italy.

“There's a great drive to return to the top and the club's transfer campaign was substantial.

“When you wear colours like these, you can't start with mediocre objectives.

“I don't want to make big claims now, but I'm convinced this will be a fascinating and important championship for everyone.

“Milan will go back to being Milan, I'm certain. Inter and Roma have strengthened their squads, while Napoli, Fiorentina and Lazio are still competitive.”

Even so, Bertolacci considers Juventus to be first in line for the Scudetto.

“They proved over the last few seasons that they are one step above everyone else.

“But as always, it's going to come down to the pitch. The Bianconeri lost three players who were fundamental to their victories in the last three years, in terms of goals and charisma alike.

“It won't be easy for them to replace [Andrea] Pirlo, [Arturo] Vidal and [Carlos] Tevez.

“They may still sign somebody else, but I think Juve are weaker now. The gap with her rivals is smaller.”

Byandrea

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