Colombo backs Fonseca to create a ‘really strong’ Milan: “Intensity and quality” | OneFootball

Lorenzo Colombo believes that Paulo Fonseca can create something very positive at AC Milan, while he recalled how his summer move to Empoli ended up coming about.

Colombo scored a brace during a friendly win against Manchester City in New York, but the mercato moves fast and it was always reported that he would be allowed out on another loan spell with a number of different suitors mentioned.

It is Empoli who ended up securing the services of Colombo for at least the 2024-25 season. However, it will not just be a season-long dry loan like the Lecce and Monza spells, because they will also have the option to make it permanent next summer.

Colombo spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about a number of different topics from his summer move to the preseason that he had under Fonseca, with his comments relayed by Calciomercato.com.

How are things at Empoli so far?

“We started well, but the most difficult thing is to continue when the ball is hottest. Even in Monza I started like that and then it didn’t end in the best way. Empoli is a revenge for me, an opportunity to show myself that I understood the mistakes. I chose them because I saw them really convinced. I needed to feel important again.”

Juventus are your next opponents…

“They are a super intense team that doesn’t let you breathe, but at the same time they want to keep the ball a lot. Pressing and defence will be important.”

What can you tell us about the coaches you have had?

“Baroni made me grow as a centre-forward. I also had that role in Cremona and with SPAL, but in my interpretation I was more of a second striker. I was not very central, I preferred to roam on the right to get the ball.

“I owe Baroni the improvement in the cleanliness of the plays, in the gestures. We worked a lot on it. In Monza instead I understood that nobody gives you anything.”

Would you prefer to score goals like Pippo Inzaghi rather than beautiful ones?

“That’s how it is. Strikers often score dirty goals, I’ve never managed to score them. Maybe I score beautiful ones, but there are fewer of them. I’d like to be more like Pippo Inzaghi.”

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You did the USA tour with Milan…

“I shouldn’t have even left with Milan, Empoli was already in the mix. I played freely and had fun. And I saw up close the best striker of our time. Haaland has a kind of aura about him, when he gets the ball you feel like he’ll score soon. He seems like a robot.”

What were your impressions of Fonseca?

“I liked it. The pace in training was high, the exercises had to be super intense and with little recovery. The intensity and quality that there is at Milan could create a really strong team.”

Is it true that Ibrahimovic called you Hulk?

“Yes. I came from the Primavera, I was coming back from two injuries, I was in the gym a lot. Ibra noticed it and started calling me Hulk.”

Who are your idols?

“Cristiano Ronaldo. I’ve always been fascinated by the fact that his name was on the scoresheet for every decisive match. I follow fashion, I love seeing how other players dress. I like finding a detail to get noticed.”