Thiaw talks Milan debut and differences between Serie A and Bundesliga

Malick Thiaw commented on how it felt to make his Milan debut and the differences between Italian and German football.

The 21-year-old German defender joined the Rossoneri in the summer from Schalke in a deal worth around €7m, adding another talented youngster to Stefano Pioli’s squad. It’s been a slow start in Lombardy for Thiaw, who only made his debut in the win over Hellas Verona on the weekend.

Speaking to Milan TV, Thiaw first discussed his Milan debut and how it felt to wear the red and black shirt on the pitch.

“It all happened very quickly, I had no time to think. You just have to be ready, but, yes, it was a very proud moment for me and my family because of how hard I worked. 

“It was very nice, I enjoyed it a lot. In these situations you just have to think about how you can help the team win the game, and that’s all I had in mind.”

He gave his thoughts on the Rossoneri as a whole.

“Every day I learn something new about this great club. The fans are fantastic, we are in a team that is famous not only in Italy but all over the world. 

“Here you learn that people recognise you more than in Germany. I am really happy to be at this top club.”

Finally, Thiaw spoke about the differences between football in Serie A and the Bundesliga.

“Serie A is different from the Bundesliga, they are two great leagues but in Italy there is more tactics, you work more on this aspect and you play fast football, even though when I was watching the German games it seemed slower than the Bundesliga. 

“I realised that this is not the case but it is also faster, so very tactical but fast football, these are the differences with Germany.”

The 21-year-old Thiaw penned a five-year deal with Milan in the summer and will continue working to adapt to Pioli’s system in the Lombardy capital.

Last season, the German defender made 31 Bundesliga appearances for Schalke, scoring two goals and picking up three yellow cards in that time.