Theo Hernandez thanks Pioli, Maldini and responds to doubters: “Now who is champion?” | OneFootball

Theo Hernandez has revealed his delight that AC Milan were able to shrug off their status as underdogs in the Scudetto race to go on and win the big prize.

Coming into the game Milan knew that one point against Sassuolo would have been enough to finish above their city rivals Inter, but going into half-time they knew the job was done regardless of the result at San Siro.

Rafael Leao once again showed all of his explosive quality as he twice set up Olivier Giroud for finishes at the near post after a dribble, and then Franck Kessie added a third to put the issue beyond doubt before the interval.

Theo was interviewed by Sky Italia and reflected on the game and what has been a remarkable season both for him personally and for the team in general, with his words relayed by MilanNews.

“We have always believed in it, then there are people talking, that Inter were the favourites… now I want to see what they say. I’m very happy, we have to continue like this.”

On the fans: “The best image is the fans. They believed in us from the first moment, now we saw the people who were there, it was incredible. We thank them.”

On the Scudetto: “We have always believed in it. The important thing is to have won the title today, now we have a month off. Then we go back to giving everything.”

On Maldini: “Paolo Maldini, he caught me and told me that I am a very strong player.”

On his chemistry with Leao: “It is normal that two players feel good on the pitch. Rafa has improved, like me, and now we are an incredible couple.”

On who is faster between him and Leao: “I don’t know, we have to see him. We have never had a challenge.”

On the decisive moment: “The decisive moment… I can’t tell you. We worked from day one, we believed in it and even the fans were with us. Thanks to them we gave everything. There were people who said that the Inter was the favourite, now I want to say what they say.”

Everyone was talking about Inter: “We won for that. Now who is the champion? We are.”

Theo was also interviewed by DAZN.

On Pioli: “He is an incredible coach, he changed me as a person and as a player. Thanks also to him we won this Scudetto.”

On the victory: “It’s a very beautiful day. Since my son was born I have changed a lot. My wife helps me a lot, this is also for them and for my family.”

On his growth: “When I arrived it was not easy. I trained a lot and also thanks to Maldini, the coach and my team mates I grew a lot.”

On the left wing of Milan: “I don’t know if Leao and I are the strongest, but we did a great job.”

On Maldini: “What he told me in Ibiza remains between me and him. I thank him for everything.”

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