Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali admits he took one month to realise he was training with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and reveals how Stefano Pioli has helped him improve.
The Italy starlet joined the Rossoneri on an initial loan deal from Brescia in 2020. His performances have improved over the last few months and after his permanent transfer from the Rondinelle in the summer.
Tonali praised his coach Stefano Pioli explaining how he’s helped him settle in at the club and raise the bar.
“I was missing that 1% that helped me stay in the group,” Tonali told La Repubblica newspaper.
“Pioli was like a hammer, the first season was difficult, but we acted like it never happened. It’s impossible to succeed without determination and desire.”
Tonali is not just a Milan player but also a die-hard Rossoneri fan. He has the chance to play with Zlatan Ibrahimovic who was one of his idols as a child.
“I was a fan and I’ve become a teammate in one second, it’s very different,” the 21-year-old admitted.
“At the beginning, it’s very hard not to lose focus. I managed to do so after one month.”
On Sunday, the Rossoneri host Juventus at San Siro, and Tonali insists their 2-1 loss against Spezia won’t change Milan’s approach.
“The match against Juventus will be different,” he said.
“The defeat against Spezia won’t change our approach made of strength and lucidity. We don’t want to say that, but we know that the next two games are crucial.”
The Serie A champions will face Inter after the break on February 6. They currently sit second in the table, two points off the Nerazzurri who have a game in hand.