Tomori ‘proud’ to be at Milan as he reflects on red card against Chelsea

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·17 October 2022

Tomori ‘proud’ to be at Milan as he reflects on red card against Chelsea

AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori has confirmed that he is happy to be with the Rossoneri, and also admitted that even he has been surprised at the impact he has had at the club.

It has been an up and down start to the season for Tomori compared to the levels he hit in the Scudetto winning campaign. While his performances have generally been every bit as solid, he was sent off in midweek in the loss to his former club Chelsea for what was admittedly a harsh call from referee Daniel Siebert.

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Tomori was present tonight at the 2022 Gran Galà del Calcio awards and he was interviewed by Sky who asked him about how he is finding his time at Milan and the process of becoming one of the best defenders in the league.

“I am happy to be here. I like the passion for players in Italy, I’m proud to be here,” he said (via MilanNews).

Did you expect to have this impact in Milan? “No, but I was hoping for it. Obviously I’m happy and I hope to be able to win again with Milan, this year.”

Is there any defender you like from old Milan? “Nesta, Maldini, Baresi, even Thiago Silva: we played together for Chelsea. There are many players, I can’t say them all.”

How much strength does yesterday’s victory against Verona give you? “A difficult game, we didn’t play our best. Verona are always difficult to face.”

Tomori also spoke to MilanNews at the event.

On the defence of Milan this year: “I don’t want to concede even one millimetre. When we concede, we obviously don’t want to, but it happens.”

Are you still upset about the Chelsea game? “Obviously it wasn’t the match I wanted and hoped for. But it’s over, we have to keep playing and moving forward.”

What changes with the return of Maignan? “Mike is a very strong player, when he is on the pitch the team improves. But Tatarusanu did a great job. He is a great player and we are happy that he is back.”

What do you think that Italy will not play at the World Cup? “I live in Italy, there is a bit of disappointment that they won’t go to the World Cup. Honestly, I hope to go there myself, I have to keep playing at my best.”

On how the season is going: “Match by match. This year is stranger because there is the World Cup but we have to work every match. Then after the World Cup we will work again and we will see.”

On being favorites for the Scudetto: “I don’t know, we are strong and we have to prove it every game. Let’s see where we are at the end.”

How to repeat the Scudetto win: “We have to grow, every player. We have to raise the level, on and off the pitch. We do our best to win, we are energised and then we see where we are.”

On that red card against Chelsea: “A little (laughs). I didn’t want to take the red but it happened.”

On Pioli: “The coach is a great person, not only as a coach. He always tells me to keep working and to give my best.”