Top-flight newcomers Monza visit Italian champions Milan at the San Siro on Saturday evening and coach Raffaele Palladino believes it will be a ‘romantic’ match, given the history of Monza patrons Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani with the Rossoneri. The Biancorossi have not had the best of starts to their Serie A season but they do have confidence, having unsettled Juventus 1-0 not so long ago.
Speaking to the press (via MilanNews) ahead of the highly-anticipated clash, Palladino had a few words to share.
“Pioli is right, it’s a romantic match. I know how much Berlusconi and Galliani care, they can’t wait for tomorrow. They did something unique with Milan that will remain in the annals of football. We are not perceiving this particular atmosphere, there with determination and desire to face this challenge well. It will be nice to play it in a full stadium.”
He went on to praise Stefano Pioli for turning the Rossoneri into a force to be reckoned with.
“I saw the match where they won in Verona, but in the last few days I have seen at least 10 matches of the Rossoneri. Right now, they are one of the best teams in Italy, they play fantastic football and work for principles of play and space occupation. Congratulations to Pioli. They have a lot of resources both on the field and on the bench, it was a fun studying them because I also learned a lot. We will try to play our game, we are aware of our qualities. A bit of lightness will also be needed.”
When quizzed if he would sign up for a draw, Palladino swiftly denied it.
“Because of my character, I say no. I’m interested in the performance as well as the result. I asked the players to enjoy the day and the matches must then be played. Football is unpredictable, anything can happen.”
Milan have won each of their last six league home matches against promoted sides without conceding a single goal. The last promoted side to win against them at San Siro were Benevento in April 2018. Palladino’s Monza will certainly look to break that six-game streak.
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