Suru_M (Alessandro_Nesta) все записи автора
A talk with Nesta
by Ugo Allievi
Sandro places no limits to his eighth season with Milan: "We are ready for a season at the top. With the arrival of two champions of the caliber of Robinho and Ibrahimovic, we can't and we don't want to hide ourselves." "Allegri? A punctilious manager, always ready to discuss."
We are at his eighth season in the rossonera shirt. Eight seasons that saw Alessandro Nesta as one of the main protagonists of numerous and exciting victories by Milan in the past years, starting with the unforgettable Champions League in 2003, with a victory over Juventus in the final. A triumph, this one, bound by a double thread to Nesta, given that it was his first season in rossonero.
Eight seasons that have made Sandro one of the "senators" of the dressing-room at Milanello, which is why we are turning to him seeking an opinion on the beginning of the season. "I'd say we've started well. It wasn't easy to start off on the right foot given the numerous changes that happened this year."
What are you referring to?
I'm referring above all to the change of coach. The coming of Allegri meant some changes, as is always the case, whether in training methods or in tactics. We worked a lot in the pre-season to try and assimilate as soon as possible the technical and tactical requirements of the new coach. Then, the arrival of two champions like Ibrahimovic and Robinho when the season has almost started "forced" us, pleasantly, to start again on the tactical work.
Where are we now?
We're at a good point. I think I can say without fear of denial that from now on we can only improve. The understanding with the newcomers continues to improve, so I'm expecting us to have a great season. I'm sure we'll be able to fight to the end on all fronts, from the championship to the Champions League.
We'd like to analyze a little more deeply the changes brought by the new coach.
As I said, every manager has his own way of working that, even if it's only in the small little details, differentiates him from those of other manager, and this is also the case with Allegri. We're all comfortable with him. He's a very young coach who, in spite of his youth, has paid his dues before arriving at the top. He's always available for all of us, always ready to talk, always ready to explain his choices, be they technical or tactical. In the meantime, this availability doesn't reduce his authority at all.
Some more details as regards the training?
Fundamentally he's a coach who really likes to work on the pitch. During the sessions he talks a lot, he's a manager who is extremely punctilious and well prepared. On the pitch he guides us and explains all the movements that the team must make, even at the cost of making us repeat them dozens of times.
To change the subject – out of curiosity, how did the dressing-room react to the final fireworks of the calciomercato?
What do you think? (He bursts out laughing.) At first we seemed to be living a dream, we had trouble believing it. Then we went from a moment of the euphoria to real delight, because knowing that Ibrahimovic and Robinho are two of your new teammates can only make you happy! But be careful not to sit back — he warns immediately, his expression changing — although Ibra and Robinho are two phenomena, we should never forget, as the coach often repeats, that to win we need balance, sacrifice and teamwork.
Ibrahimovic and Robonho are two forwards: who better than you to describe to us their respective characteristics?
I don't think you need my opinion to describe them: they are two champions in absolute terms, they don't need introductions!
Come on, Sandro, don't make me beg...
If you insist... Individually they are two players with completely different characteristics, but because of this they're able to complement each other. Ibra, and I know I didn't discover this, is a phenomenon from all points of view. Physically he's unstoppable and powerful, and at the same time agile. Technically fantastic, above all if we link his technical capacities to the physicality that Ibra succeeds in putting on the pitch in all his play. In a word: champion. Concerning Robinho, we can agree that we're talking about another world-level champion, he's an atypical forward with immense technical gifts who loves to cover all of the offensive fronts.
And if I ask about Ronaldinho, Inzaghi and Pato?
I'll reply that I'm extremely happy that they're my teammates, because I think that our opponents will have to work very hard to control them all.
According to you, what are the possibilities of seeing them all on the pitch together?
I think that on some occasions the coach will be able to have fun playing them at the same time. A little more realistically, however, we should never lose sight of something, which is and must be the equilibrium of the team.
Concerning equilibrium, this year Milan also strengthened themselves in midfield and in defense. What do you think of that?
It's true. The arrival of Boateng, Papastathopoulos and Yepes has further strengthened a squad that was already competitive. Prince and Papa are two very young players with great potential, who will be able to give a lot to Milan in the future as well. Mario is an expert defender who has played all over the world (let's not forget that he's the captain of Colombia) and who can contribute a lot, particularly when we have to play every two or three days. But now I'll let you in on someone who will be one of the best acquisitions of Milan version 2010-11: Gennaro Gattuso. In the past year, Rino, for physical reasons, was not able to give the best of himself. This year he's well and so I think he'll be once again one of the cornerstones of our season.
Nesta and Thiago Silva, according to many, is one of the best central defensive pairings in the world.
We both always try to do as well we can to be considered such. Add to that the fact that playing alongside Thiago is a pleasure. He's a champion who makes everything easier. His arrival at Milan has prolonged my career!
Thiago says of you that you're a phenomenon, even if on the pitch you never shut up. What do you say to that?
I reply that he's right, and that he'll have to put up with me for a long time...
How do you see your future?
Right now I'll enjoy myself this season in which I'm sure we'll be protagonists. Then I hope to stay well physically, in order to play for a long time. I don't make long-term predictions, I prefer to take things day by day. I hope to give and to enjoy much satisfaction wearing this shirt.
Prospects and aims for this season?
From the beginning we've had a good feeling, we immediately felt ready for a top-level season. Now, with the arrival of two champions of the caliber of Robinho and Ibra, we can't, or rather we don't want to hide ourselves away anymore.
Alessandro il Grande: mai soprannome fu più azzeccato.
Alexander the Great: never was a nickname more fitting.
Suru_M , 
