Adli admits he lied to stay at Milan: ‘Not sure that was true…’ | OneFootball

Yacine Adli was honest when discussing his initial difficulties at Milan, his work to break into the first team and his relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Rossoneri invested around €8.5m into the French midfielder back in August 2021 but left him with Bordeaux for another year on loan, allowing him to continue his development. He joined up with Stefano Pioli’s squad in the summer of 2022.

Adli initially failed to convince at Milan, seeing just 140 minutes of action across six Serie A games, but his consistent hard work and positive mindset in the dressing room eventually pushed Pioli to give him a chance in a new midfield role, something that has paid off this term.

Speaking to L’Equipe via Calciomercato.com, Adli first reflected on his initial impressions after the move to Milan.

“I was young and exposed. I matured a lot. What struck me most when I arrived at Milan was the strength of the club.”

He looked back on his initial difficulties at the club.

“I never gave up because I wasn’t in a bad way in training. According to the coach, I had to make a tactical leap, like all the players who arrive in Serie A. I had to improve defensively.

“And then, in the role of attacking midfielder there was Brahim Diaz, who was doing well, and Charles De Ketelaere, who had been the great signing of the summer.

“I was in the learning phase and hierarchically I started behind them. It was difficult to gain a place on the pitch.”

The Frenchman highlighted his hard work to try and convince the Rossoneri.

“I never gave up in training and the intensity was maximum in every session. I wasn’t on the Champions League list and so sometimes I trained alone, with a coach.

“I didn’t want to waste time, I had to be ready for any eventuality. I had a good relationship with everyone, I had weight in the locker room, I was a point of reference, even if I didn’t play much.”

Adli underlined how Pioli suggested he leave for a new team last summer.

“The directors were happy with my commitment and wanted me to stay. Pioli felt similar also, I never had problems with him, I respected his choices as a coach and Pioli as a man has always been honest.

“He adopted a new system with a mediano and two central midfielders and at the beginning of the season he told me: ‘We have made other choices, you have to find a way out’.

“I thanked him for his honesty and told him that he could count on my professionalism until my departure.”

The midfielder also revealed how he lied in order to stay at Milan.

“But then I stayed in the squad because I worked hard, I helped the starters, and the coach even took me on tour to the United States.

“There, he told me that the club was looking for a defensive midfielder, but he thought I could have my say. I told him that I had already played in that position… although I’m not even sure that was true…”

He commented on his relationship with Ibrahimovic.

“I’m quite close to Ibrahimovic. Anyone who knows him will tell you that he is an extraordinary man and certainly an added value in someone’s life.

“He manages to analyse things well and give targeted advice. He did it as a player and it’s natural to do it as a director. Zlatan told me: ‘Shut up and work, it will come’. And so, it did.”

Finally, Adli gave his thoughts on Olivier Giroud and if he’s an inspiration.

“Certainly, he has always been questioned and each time he has demonstrated character and maintained himself at the highest levels. He is an example of determination and perseverance.”