Cerci: “It was important to return to winning ways”, Zaccardo: “Happy about my goal, Paletta is good”

Cristian Zaccardo, Alessio Cerci, Diego Lopez and Jeremy Menez spoke to the press after the game yesterday.

Milan won their first league game in 2015 yesterday beating Parma at Stadio San Siro 3-1. The Rossoneri once again didn’t play well but managed to get the three points away from a poor Parma side who look set to be relegated this season.

“It was an important match for us. We had to get back to winning ways and we were able to do that by working very well,” goalkeeper Diego Lopez told the Milan Channel. “The match against Juventus will be brilliant, against the best side in Italy right now. We are going there to play for the win. We can try and win it. I was lucky against Nocerino (who scored Parma’s goal against Milan). The ball was close to me and I have to say that I was lucky.” 

One of the most surprising performers yesterday was Cristian Zaccardo, who scored the third goal and also had one disallowed. Zaccardo has barely featured this term and has a contract until 2016.

“We wrapped up the win in the second-half. We were a bit slow in the first-half and not very decisive. But then Menez broke the deadlock,” he said. “We are happy to have won and I am also happy about my goal. I have endured 6 difficult months and I am pleased to have showed what I can do and to have played. Professionalism is what counts, it’s the basis of our job. I thank the fans and I will remember this day.

“A brace? One goal is fine! They told me I was half a meter off-side. Paletta? He is a good player, I’ve played with him and he’s a top professional. I would be happy if he joined us, I would welcome him. I will try and give my best and my all. Monday is the final day of the transfer window but I think that I will stay.”

Alessio Cerci had this to say to the Milan Channel: “There is still room for improvement. I am close to finding my peak fitness, but I can still improve by 20%. I just need to work, in Madrid I didn’t play much and I missed out on pre-season over the summer. We all know that physical fitness is important. I hope that something important can be created between me and the fans, I like to entertain the fans.

“With Torino I was able to make the fans dream, I hope I can do that here. Matches like these ones give you confidence. I know I have to improve, day by day I am growing and I am on the right path.

“It was important to return to winning ways, I saw a Milan side that is improving and that is what counts. My performance? I struggled a bit on the left and the coach was good in understanding this. When he moved me to the right things improved (Keisuke Honda switched to the left). The squad reacted well when Parma equalized, we tried to win the match at all costs and to improve the situation in the league table.

“Destro is an excellent centre-forward, he’s just arrived and we will perfect the tactical aspects and movements in the coming months. We are stronger with his arrival. Against Juventus we have to play an open game, we’re taking on the league leaders, the strongest team in Italy. We will have our chances.”

“I am a part of a team, I always try to work for it,” Jeremy Menez said on Sunday evening to Sky Sport Italia. “Tonight it went well, we just wanted to win. Starting tonight we start anew, this match will serve as a lesson. Even today it was not all perfect, though we have seen great team spirit. If we continue like this, we can do great things, but if we take a break a moment it will not end well. Alessio Cerci? I get along well with everyone, and the coach decides our tactics. We all have to help each other.

“Our objectives? This season has been a bit strange: we have lost a lot of points, but we can still hope to do something great.” Milan are now in 8th position, 10 points behind third place and the UCL.