CRISTIAN ZAPATA wants to show he’s the quality to play for Milan and is sure he can do well.
It was a surprise when Zapata signed for Milan as the Italian newspapers had barely linked the Colombia international with a move for the 2011 Italian champions but he’s now here on loan with a buy-out clause.
Milan were looking for a central defender after the sale of Thiago Silva and decided to bring the former Udinese man on a rather cheap deal. Zapata is keen to impress at Milan and prove his worth to Allegri.
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“The negotiations with Milan went very fast. I was very happy when I found out that Milan were interested in signing me,” the 25-year-old said on his official presentation today (Sunday) at Milanello. “And I couldn’t wait to start training at Milanello. I played in Italy for 6 years, and now I’m happy to have returned home.
“I faced some difficulty in Spain and now I’m happy to be here. When I arrived in Spain they immediately put me on the right back position and it was difficult for to adapt to it. Allegri is a very clever and capable person and he has demonstrated that in these two years at Milan. Milan have lost the 2 best central defenders in the world (Thiago and Sandro Nesta), and now it’s up to me to prove that I’m Milan quality.
“I know that I’m a good player, and if I work hard then I will be able to do well for Milan. Thiago Silva’s heritage? It doesn’t scare me. I’m a central defender, but I can play as a right back if there’s the need for it. I can play in the central defence with all the players that are here. We only have to work well,” he added.
“I joined Milan because it’s a great club that is always competing for titles. I haven’t spoken with Mario Yepes yet as he is still with the national team (Zapata was left out of José Pekerman’s Colombia squad). I played in the central defence with Yepes for Colombia and I hope that we will also do it here. Antonio Cassano is a very sympathetic person. He always laughs and makes jokes. It’s a good thing for the squad.”
Zapata, who played almost 200 games for Udinese in six years, concluded: “I chose number 17 because it’s the day that my daughter was born.” Zapata has already started training with the rest of the squad.
Good luck and work hard Cristian.
I hope he become a BIG HIT like Nocerino and Boateng.
good player… but i still want yanga-mbwia next year, hopefully january instead of next summer – fingers crossed
but im satisfied with zapata this season if mexes stays if he doesnt im not confident with the defence
zapata is more sensible than Kojack
I wish u the best!
Good luck Zapata, work hard and show your worth for us, I believe you can be a real top defender!
I would still not mind another defender though, and if Mexes leaves (please not in a trade for bendtner…please God no)
I would love it if Yanga-mbiwa could join us, or Astori now, with Yanga joining us next year for free.
Keep the faith!
Zapata is good to know u have to work hard.
….’i played in italy for six years. And it never occured to you to apply for an italian passport? Crap
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Good luck to zapata and milan forza milan
That is the type of player we are looking for, the one who want to give his worth to the club, it’s good keep it you will be best defender in the world one day. FORZA MILAN.FORZA MILAN FANS ALL OVER THE WORLD.
Thiago Silva was not as strong as you when he came to Milan so good luck.
Good luck cristain. A new era begin.
It will be good to pair zapata along with mexes/acerbi cos bonera is not suppose to be in milan startin XI
Well zapata is a gud player and thiago silva is not gud lyk zapata before he joined milan… So there’s a room for improvement…
nice anticipation guy! Let’s show them that we still are milan. Let’s fight hard! Forza milan!