Morata explains ‘responsibility’ of being at Milan with Liverpool and Inter ahead | OneFootball

Although he only joined in the summer, Alvaro Morata has quickly become a face of leadership at AC Milan, and before the Champions League game against Liverpool, he has spoken about the responsibilities of playing for the Rossoneri.

When Milan turned to Morata after losing Joshua Zirkzee, some people questioned the decision, and for some, those questions may still be in place. However, every day, it seems like the move could have been a fantastic piece of business.

The Rossoneri ended up paying €13 million for Morata. You could argue that alone is great business. However, you are also getting a player who captained Spain to becoming European champions during the summer, a proven goalscorer, and someone who understands the full package of playing for a big club.

Playing for Milan is not just about scoring goals, it’s about understanding the expectations set for players, understanding the emotions behind things, and taking accountability when those expectations are not being met.

Although Morata had not featured for the Diavolo for a month due to injury until last weekend, he has remained vocal throughout, and he will be looking to make an impact against Liverpool with him expecting to start the fixture.

Before the clash, the 31-year-old spoke to Sky about the significance of playing for Milan, and his words have been relayed by Milan News.

What emotion is it to play the Champions League at the San Siro?

“I am very happy to be back in Italy. The Champions League is different, you look at the ball with stars and you realise it’s different. There is a lot of history here, it fills me with pride when I eat and look at the pictures of Maldini, Ibra, Kaka, Shevchenko, Ronaldo. This is a responsibility that we must take on and we must enjoy it, and above all defend it. We are Milan and we have to do a great Champions League.”

Do you have the impression that there is a different air here with the Champions League?

“Yes, it’s different. If it’s not here that has been won seven times where should it be? In the end I think that when you wear this jersey you are obliged to give everything and leave everything, without thinking about the next game. Tomorrow you have to play like it’s a final for us.”

How are you now? Are you ready for Liverpool and Derby?

“These are the games that give you extra motivation in the dressing room, you can already breathe. There’s no need to say more, these are games that when you’re a kid you play on PlayStation. You can win and you can lose, but what you can’t do is arrive home tomorrow night and not be destroyed.”

What team is Liverpool? What moment are they and you experiencing?

“All changes need a certain period of time. In the end here the coach has changed, new players have arrived. This club doesn’t allow you to have a lot of time but we have also had situations where the ball goes in or doesn’t go in. Football is like that, we also did some things well. Now it has to be understood that we are in a different mode and we have to continue like this.”

Are you excited for tomorrow?

“Yes of course, the first thing I did when I arrived at AC Milan was to go to the shop and get my shirt with the Champions League patch. I had a Kaká shirt as a kid, I still remember that goal in Manchester, one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. A beautiful memory, so of course it excites me. I want to do very well in the Champions League.”

The first one in the Champions League is immediately a historical challenge…

“I knew it was a historical match in the first one and I also knew I would be back in Spain, fate is always like that with me. It’s great, I can’t wait for tomorrow, getting on the bus, seeing all the people around like last year and then going to the stadium.”