Gila talks Milan move, his position and season targets: “A much greater satisfaction”
Mario Gila has explained why he chose Milan, where the Rossoneri stand with their project, his position on the pitch, and his first few months at the club.
Gila has been a key player for Milan so far this season, quickly becoming a favourite among the fans. While many were already familiar with his quality, given that he often played really well for Lazio in the game against the Rossoneri, he has probably exceeded expectations.
Most recently, he was used as a right-back of sorts against Lecce, showing that he can do more than just defend. His ability to drive forward with the ball, and to track back with pace, has been crucial for the Rossoneri.
Gila speaks at the Festival dello Sport
This evening, he was present at the Festival dello Sport, replacing Gerry Cardinale who was forced to cancel his appearance on short notice. MilanNews were present at the event to relay his comments, including questions on why he chose Milan, the project at the club, and Ruben Amorim’s style.
This summer, Milan signed three key players: Ramos, Moreira, and Gila. Everyone agrees that you are the best fit for the defence…
“I thank everyone for these words. I’m very happy to be at this club. We have had a significant mercato, and we have brought in key players for the project. I try to help the team at all times and give what I have on the pitch.
“Signing these players is a good start in helping AC Milan return to the top… Not to the best it has been in its history, but to start growing and bring satisfaction to the fans.”
Were other big Italian clubs interested in you? Napoli, Atalanta, Inter? You chose Milan…
“There were several teams, but I chose Milan because they’re a team that, when they call you, has such a strong history, it’s hard to say no. Maybe other clubs are in a more satisfying moment, but helping Milan get back to winning ways is something you can’t find anywhere else.”
Did Inter also contact you?
“Yes.”
Why did you choose Milan?
“We know that Milan hasn’t been at the same level as Inter or Napoli in recent years. But playing for a team like that and trying to help them win would be a much greater satisfaction than playing for a team that’s already winning.”
What do you think about Amorim?
“Amorim is a coach who exudes grit and is aggressive under pressure. He’s a modern coach, suited to European football. We are at the beginning of the project. It takes time, but the results will come.”
So what is Milan’s current level? How far away are they from reaching the level you are talking about?
“For me, the current level is where we are, in the Europa League. Last season, we didn’t manage to get to the Champions League even though we were there all year. For one reason or another, we didn’t get in, and in the end, the level is the Europa League.
“Now we have to work; the main objective is to get into the Champions League and win the Scudetto. We are Milan and we have to think ambitiously. Last season was great, but we didn’t get to the Champions League: so we are a Europa League team, but with ambitions for the Champions League and the Scudetto.”
More on Amorim…
“He’s a coach who generally demands completeness from you. You’re not as tactical, maybe a little more impulsive, but he likes to come out with the ball from the back. In today’s football, you have to be strong in both phases.
“He’s a tough coach, but he has the peace of mind that comes from knowing we are at the beginning of a project. He has the right intentions and ideas. We are happy to have him on the team.”
On Milan’s performances so far…
“We started very well. Then came some difficult matches. We drew with Juve and Lazio, which are not easy away trips.
“The results aren’t that bad, but Milan demands you to win everything, always… In the end, you feel the pressure, the atmosphere senses that if you don’t win a match, the energy isn’t so positive.
“These factors explain why we are at the start of a new project. We are committed to playing good, modern football, and the results are there… We lost to Benfica, yes, but then we played a great match against Lecce. The results will come.”
Are you crucial to the team’s defensive balance? Can you last the full 90 minutes now?
“I’m not that decisive… I try to help… All these comments you read, then against Lazio we conceded two goals on my side. I’m not that decisive. Maybe I have good games, I can help the team a lot, but I don’t think there’s a player that decisive, only if you’re talking about the Ballon d’Or.
“There are various situations… I’m not that decisive. In the first few games, I wasn’t able to do my best, I was coming back from an injury and I couldn’t finish the games. In the last few, I stopped giving myself these opportunities to come off or not. Now I can stay in and help the team.”
In a four-man defence, is it suitable for you to play as a full-back?
“We will have to see. Against Lecce, we had positive results in both phases. We played much better football than in other matches. We scored some nice goals. We will have to see, you have to adapt to the teams you face.
“I saw the team as very determined, very determined, in the game. I’m happy to have found that situation against Lecce. Full-back? I like it. It stimulates me. Sometimes you really enjoy being a central defender, but the players need stimulation.
“When you find yourself in a position, you learn new things, you learn new situations. I like this position for the improvement factor, but also because I attack more (laughs)-”
On Goncalo Ramos…
“We know we have to serve him. He’s doing great with Portugal. We need to improve as a team, we know he’s a key player up front. He hasn’t scored a huge number of goals, but it depends on the context he’s in. We need to work hard as a team to get him into the best possible condition.”
Who was your idol growing up?
“Sergio Ramos was my idol as a child. I saw a very aggressive Ramos, he won a lot, I liked his nastiness, his style, and what he conveyed. He was my idol for that reason.
“Speaking of Milan, the person I focus on the most, without taking anything away from the others, is Nesta. Because of the move he made, Lazio-Milan, I like him. I focus on him. He’s an example. I made the same move.
“There are so many: Maldini, Costacurta. The best defenders were at Milan. They were all good.”
What is your relationship with your fellow defenders at Milan?
“I feel really good with them and the team. I wasn’t expecting it, I’m feeling really, really good. I thought I’d feel good, but not this good. These guys make you feel good right away.
“Leao, who was with us, Maignan, Pavlovic, Camarda, Bartesaghi… All guys I get along with really well. I like the teammates I have and I’m very happy.”
You made two appearances for Real Madrid, but without playing alongside Modric. And yet, you played alongside him at Milan…
“I spent 3-4 months at Real Madrid with the first team last season, and I’m so happy that Carlo gave me my debut. You could see in training that he was amazing.
“We had an experience together: I went to training as a youth player, but I was mean. I had no consideration, I was ignorant, I didn’t think about not causing harm. You have to take care of yourself instead…
“I had hit Rodrygo a couple of times and he shouted: ‘He’s always the same, Carlo.’ And Ancelotti came to tell me that I had to take care of myself.
“Modric helps us a lot, he’s a guy who gives you everything, he’s a leader. His humility is hard to find. He’s Ballon d’Or winner, and he has won six Champions Leagues. Amazing. You learn a lot from being around him.”
Why did Barcelona and Real Madrid let Gila slip away?
“At that time, I was a so-so kid, honestly. I was a good kid, good at school, but I was a bit of a mess. Barcelona never made a move for me. Madrid, however, wanted me to come and I had no doubts at that moment.
“I had four wonderful years, one in the youth academy and one in the Primavera. Then I went to Lazio, they decided I had to follow a path like that. And then I found myself here at Milan, very happy. I have nothing to regret.”
At Lazio, you had Sarri. What are the differences with Amorim?
“Sarri taught me a lot. It was very difficult at the beginning with him, and he knows it. In terms of my process, it’s a situation I deserved. He gave me an opportunity and I didn’t take advantage of it. He then decided I wasn’t ready, and I didn’t play for a few games.
“It’s something that helped me grow. Then I became important to the team again. He’s an incredible person. On the pitch, he’s tough and very traditional.
“There are differences with Amorim: Sarri is more tactical. Amorim likes to go forward more; maybe you don’t have that control of the game. They are two totally different experiences, but they are experiences that help you grow and give you a lot.”
It’s strange that you haven’t been called up to the national team… Is it possible that Spain can do without you?
“I think so, they won the World Cup (laughs). I’m really happy. I haven’t been to the national team for four years, since I was with the U21s. They’ve only called me once. I have to work hard, that’s all I can say. I’m doing the work I’m doing, and I can’t tell you otherwise. I’m happy with what I’m doing.
“I still have to work a little harder to get the call-up, as the coach chose, and not because someone got injured. It’s one of the most important goals I have in mind. Playing for your country is a source of pride, and the fact that they’re doing so well is extra motivation.”
How achievable is your Champions League objective with Milan? Which teams are competing with you?
“I see the possibility of getting into the Champions League as very feasible. It’s true that we are at the beginning of the project, but I think we can find positive feelings. Last year it almost happened, then it didn’t happen, but we are there.
“Inter are stronger, they are coming off a 4-5 year project with Inzaghi, now with Chivu. Roma have had Gasperini for a year and a half. It’s normal that they are further ahead. I’d like to see the Milan of today after five years.
What about the Europa League? Are you up to the task?
“Yes, I think we are up to the task. The first match wasn’t positive, but I think we can have a great run in Europe; going far will certainly give us an extra boost to prepare for next year’s Champions League. The Europa League is one of the most important objectives of the season. We are all thinking about it.”
What other teams can compete in the Europa League?
“Among the top four, I’d put Milan. Milan, Juve, Benfica, and Bournemouth. I think these are the teams that can go the furthest. Then, in a competition like this, a lot of things happen. Milan-Benfica could very well be a semifinal.
“It wasn’t very positive, but we have to take the negatives and improve. Final? Milan-Juve (laughs). It could be. It would be nice to have two Italian teams. Otherwise, let’s put Milan-Bournemouth. We have a good group, huh?”
Cardinale has been very close to you in these first few months. Did you speak to him before coming to Milan? What does he say to you in these meetings?
“I spoke to him after signing, and he told me he was very happy. I didn’t know he hadn’t been very close in recent years. From what I see, he intends to stay very close to the team, very much so. I see that he cares deeply, he lets himself be carried away, and he listens a lot.
“It’s not his job to be a coach or a player; it’s important that he listens to leaders like Luka, Gabbia, and Maignan. I see he wants to get closer, he wants to listen. He wants to understand what he needs to do, how he can give you something extra.
“When you see that your president is close to you, it gives you something extra. His closeness is important to us, it will do us a lot of good.”
Maignan, Modric, Gabbia, the leaders. Do you speak?
“Yes, I like to make myself heard. Even to relieve some tension, it’s good for me to communicate and show determination. I don’t feel like Modric, Maignan, or Gabbia; their careers are much more important than mine. Rabiot and Pulisic are also leaders on the pitch.
“The ones you hear most are Maignan, Gabbia, and Modric. Luka is quieter, but I put him among the leaders. He can give you the right advice, but he doesn’t start shouting like Sergio Ramos, Maignan, or Gabbia. But I consider him a leader.”
What did you learn from Gabbia and Maignan?
“Gabbia seems like a hard-working person to me, he works like crazy. He never gives up. He’s a player who left, came back, and did really well. I see myself a lot like him; we have improved in difficult situations.
“I like Maignan for his presence. I knew he’d be a big presence, he brings so much grit to the team. You learn a bit about command. From behind the line, he commands you, that’s important.”
On Camarda…
“Camarda is very nice, as is Barte. With Gabbia, the four of us, we have fun. I see Camarda as a little brother, like the boy I was. He has so much potential, but he’s not in an easy place. Milan needs to be patient with him, he’s a gem. He can help a lot but he’s very young, he still has a lot to do.
“I love him very much, I’ve only known him for three months, but there are those connections… I have so much fun with him, Barte, and Gabbia. With Italians. With everyone.”
Is there anyone who has impressed you in training?
“Camarda. As a young player, you have to feel important. But I think he can help us a lot. If you give him the right amount of faith this year, he can make it as a Milan player. Then it’s up to him to prove it. But I think he can be an important player for Milan’s future.”
Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or?
“He’s really good. He can help Spain a lot. He’s very young, it’s crazy that he’s so good. It’s difficult to manage his position at such a young age. But he has the right mentality, he plays for fun. That helps him a lot, I think he will be the one to win.”
From the audience: bring it to Milan!
“Maybe (laughs). Cardinale must work miracles (laughs). But I think it’s priceless…”
On Franco Baresi…
“I knew him as a player. Not being in Italy, Spanish football leaves a much stronger impression on you, which is why Sergio Ramos was my idol. When he passed away, I’d been at Milan for two weeks. I was surprised that the whole Milan community was so moved.
“Not just the people who spent time with him. Everyone felt it. It was a tough moment for Milan, but also a wonderful moment when, during Milan-Venezia, there was a tribute to him.
“The emotion it generated throughout the club… It was incredibly important. We are very sorry, but we hope to do great things this year to give him something to cheer about too.”
