Galliani: “Milan must do well, top three finish an objective”

ADRIANO GALLIANI has talked the new season, the market, Berlusconi and more on Milan’s first seasonal presser.

Galliani hardly ever misses a chance to talk to the press and today (Monday) he had a room full of journalists ready to listen to him as the Rossoneri held their first press conference of the 2013/14 season in which Galliani discussed many topics.

“We are very happy to be here. Last season was a real rollercoaster with a poor start but we charged on to finish third. In 2013 we had 45 points, two points more than Juve and we talking without any kind of psychological subjection,” he said.

Video: Milan’s first 2013/14 season training at Milanello
Poli: “Wearing the Milan shirt is a dream come true”

“We believe we have a competitive team in Italy and ready to overcome the play-offs to make the Group Stage. The objectives for 2013-14 are to finish in the top three in the league, try to get as far as possible in the Champions League and try to win the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) which we have not won since 2003. Milan must do well in all competitions.

“I’ve never felt the absence of President Berlusconi. We are happy when he comes here but his passion for Milan is always that of July 1986 when there was our first meeting. The President is a passionate fan of his creation that is Milan. We do not have the full squad because of the internationals are absent and we have sold Taiwo to Turkey. One or two more will leave along with some of the youngsters. Petagna will stay with us as Pazzini is out for a few more months. We’ll have 26 players.

“Andrea Poli was signed in co-ownership with Sampdoria and there is no doubt that he will play for Milan next year. The market? There is an ongoing negotiation with Santos. Robinho is happy to stay at Milan but he wants to come home to Santos. Currently there is no economic agreement with Santos, but talks have started, but their window closes on July 15.

“If Robinho leaves then a support striker will arrive. Ljajic is a possibility and there has been contact with Fiorentina. We should see little things, but by August 20th there will be something. There is no round in the chamber. Everything depends on who leaves. We’ve 9 defenders, 8 midfielders, 5 forwards and 3 goalkeeper. We are sure to have a competitive team. I strongly hope that Honda can come to Milan in the January window. If he cannot play in the UEFA Champions League, he will be like Balotelli.” CSKA admitted that ‘a reasonable offer’ would be enough for them to sell Keisuke Honda, 27, now.

“The spending of other European clubs? Without the money from PSG, Italian football would be in trouble. The hierarchy in football now changes because the owners of raw materials have the opportunity to invest hundreds of millions of euro. There are none In Italy. Milan at the beginning of last season was considered a small Milan but in the second half we have made ​​the same points of the year the league title.  Allegri was very good at finding the right formula after eight games of experiments. Max has done very well and has put the team into autopilot to the team. I do not feel orphan of anything.

“When Kaka he was a young player he was a Golden Ball winner and he has become a champion here. Carlo Ancelotti told me after Kaka’s first training that the player is a champion.” It doesn’t look like Milan will try to bring Kaka back again.

“Milan’s objectives for next season? To get a top three finish and I have to say to win the title. The objective of Milan is always to get on the podium and we have done that over the past five years. Getting into the Champions League is one thing, getting into the Europa League is another thing also for economic reasons,” continued the 68-year-old Vice President.

“During the last five years we have gained the greatest number of points in the Champions League and we always managed to get through the Group Stage. Sometimes we won, sometimes we went out early but it is crucial to reach the knockout stages because this is the only way to maintain the balanced budget and this policy is approved by the President. The fans share the policy and we are rejuvenating the team and we have brought the average age to 25 years.

“We have a young team and every player who arrived is younger than those who have left. We bid farewell with great affection captain Massimo Ambrosini and wish him luck in his career. The rule at Milan is one leaves then a younger player comes in but there can be expectations. We always try to improve the squad. Riccardo Montolivo will be the new captain.

“Inter-Thoir?: I have no news about this deal and I will not comment on something I do not know. Moratti took Inter, has put a lot of money into them and led them to the summit of the world. On the future of Inter I do not know anything,” he added.

Translation credit: acmilan.com