Brahim Díaz: “I’ve always had the faith of the coach, the only thing that matters tomorrow against Atlético Madrid is trying to win the game”

Brahim Díaz spoke to the press ahead of the Atlético Madrid game tomorrow night at San Siro, saying ‘I am not necessarily a leader, I simply try and give my all in terms of goals and assists.’

After losing 3-2 to Liverpool at Anfield, Milan return to the Champions League stage and they host Atlético Madrid at Stadio San Siro (21:00 CET kickoff).

The Rossoneri will have to be at their best against Cholo Simeone’s impressive side, and they’ll need Brahim Díaz pulling the strings and creating chances, like he’s been doing all season.

Today Brahim sat down at Milanello for a pre-match presser with Italian and Spanish journalists:

Was your turning point the Juventus-Milan match last season?
“I think I’ve always had the faith of the coach in me, the same goes for the faith of the staff and the club. It wasn’t only that match, although I did feel that I was fit and firing in that fixture, I think everyone performed very well. But as I said, I’ve always had the faith and the trust of the coach and the team, I’m very pleased to have played well and scored in that match, but as I said, I don’t think I’ve ever lacked the trust and confidence from my coach.”

Brahim, you seem to be a leader in this squad. What do you think – is this scenario in Italy, where young players are getting much more trust in this country as opposed they in Spain, things might change a little bit with Spain in the National Team… Do you think that is a trend in Italian football that they are trusting Italian players a bit more?
“Yes, it’s true, there are a number of top young players in Italy, we are seeing that at this moment in time and a number of these players are really taking off, but I don’t think it’s unique to Italy, as opposed to Spain. I think ultimately it depends on the level that the player is at. We all have the responsibility to try and perform as best we can, I think I also have responsibility, I have been assigned this leadership. But you can’t go anywhere on your own, you need the helping hand of the team.”

Speaking about leadership, you’ve taken over the reins from Çalhanoğlu… this pressure, this responsibility, the fact that the club is investing in you – have you taken that?
“All I can do is my best. I do everything in my power to try and support the team, and help my teammates score. I assist goals, I try to score them myself – that’s all that I can do. As I said, we are simply a team, it’s a team game. We are on good form, we’ve got the right spirit, there’s will to win and we want to perform well.”

You seem to be writing a wonderful chapter in Milan’s history, you are performing excellently. Given that you used to play for Real Madrid, how does it feel to come up against Atlético? You played for the other team in the Spanish capital…
“Yes absolutely, the fact that I come from a team like Real Madrid does have a big impact, but I’d like to remind everyone that I play for Milan. I have been signed here so that I can really showcase all of my ability, and the only thing that matters for us tomorrow against Atlético Madrid is trying to win the game and securing the three points.”

I wanted to ask you the following: after the latest signings that Atlético have made in recent years: the return of Griezmann, Luis Suárez, João Félix, De Paul and Correa… do you think they have the best squad in Spain?
“Atlético Madrid are certainly a very good team, they have excellent players, a lot of talented guys in the side… I don’t know if they necessarily have the most talented squad in Spain, but they have a very good team. They play well throughout from the first to last whistle, and they also score a lot of late goals.”

You’ve had a very positive start to the season and I’m not sure if you expected such a positive return in terms of goals and assists. At this moment in time, given the coach and teammates’ faith in you, do you feel like one of the leaders of this team? And how special is the team spirit that you have within the dressing room, which is something we’ve noticed from the outside?
“As for my teammates, I think it’s all for one, one for all. Everyone pitches in and chips in with what they do best, we are a family and it’s also thanks to the coach that we have secured these excellent results. Of course, we need to improve with the tough fixtures that we’ve got coming up because there are some top-level games on the horizon. I’m naturally delighted with the trust and responsibility shown in me, but my teammates have also helped me. I’m not on my own, I never feel on my own in this. I’m not necessarily a leader, I simply try and give my all in terms of goals and assists.”

Speaking to MilanTV, Brahim said: “I feel really important, I’ve had a good start to the season, I expected it too. I know I’m a good player and I have confidence in myself. But it’s my teammates too, given how we’re approaching games and the way we’re playing. We’re really united. We’re a team that – we’re more than a team, we’re a family – we spend a lot of time together and this helps a lot. The game against Atlético will be a high-quality match, that’s to say: difficult, of course for them too because we’re a great team and we want that win too – by playing well. It’ll be a good game, a game played at a high level, which we like. At the end of the day, these are the games in which you have to perform, and we will!

“Having a past with Real Madrid, we know it’s like here: Milan-Inter, which is the same. Atlético is the Derby and they are Real’s rivals but I’m a Milan player now and I just want to do well for the team and get the three points. Milan being in the Champions League is special, just look at how many titles we have won, I think it’ll be a great game and all I want to do is help the team.

“Everyone has their own way to adapting. At the end of the day, it’s really important that you adapt. It’s all been very easy here: my teammates are amazing, it makes life easier. We know how it is at Milanello, but yes, everyone has their own way of adapting. I think I settled in well. You just keep growing and maturing. I believe that personality, that belief in myself, I know I have the talent and I work really hard with the desire to help the team in any way I can. It’s not that you grow straight from one moment to the next, but everyone needs time to settle in. As I said, good players go out and show their talent”