Musah talks second chance at Milan, upcoming derby, Modric and other team-mates
The media coverage has ramped up into overdrive on the eve of the derby, with Yunus Musah the latest to speak ahead of the game.
Musah spent last season out on loan at Atalanta with Massimiliano Allegri not deeming him to be a part of his plans, but he returned in the summer as the Bergamo club did not use the option to buy. Many thought he would be packing his suitcases again, but that wasn’t the case.
Instead, the new head coach Ruben Amorim has placed a great deal of faith in the American, using him in a deeper midfield role which seems to be bringing out the best from him. He has previously spoken about feeling ‘grateful’ to have been given a fresh chance by Amorim.
Musah spoke in an interview with CBS Sports to preview Saturday night’s big game, one in which Milan really need three points in order to reduce the gap to the top of the standings. His words are via MilanNews.
How has it been with Milan?
“There’s still a long way to go, but after losing a season, I’ve learned that even in crucial moments, you have to keep going. Now I’m really keen to stay. I want to stay at this club and do really well here. The coach is helping me a lot, giving me opportunities that I need to seize.”
Considering what you went through last year, you’ve become the most used central midfielder this season: what instructions did the coach give you? What was the first thing he said to you when you spoke?
“Nothing complicated. The coaching staff works as a team, so the entire team knows exactly what each member is doing. They give us all the necessary instructions: how to receive the ball, how to read the various moments of the game, and how to interpret the play according to their instructions.
“This allows me to step onto the pitch without any hesitation. It’s a huge help, because when you step onto the pitch, you know exactly what you have to do.”
Can you better understand where you might not be recognised?
“For example, sometimes at the supermarket, when there aren’t many people, someone still stares at me, everyone wants to say hello or ask me something because everyone knows and watches AC Milan.
“Then, at a club where winning every single match is crucial, other teams approach AC Milan differently: for them, it’s the most important match of the season. Every match is difficult, everything has changed. Sometimes, to escape this celebrity aura, I go shopping at the supermarket at night.”
Knowing that Luka Modrić has been my favourite player for about 10-15 years, and given that you have the opportunity to train with him every day, what’s it like being around him?
“Yes, I try to enjoy the moment and the time I can spend with him. It won’t be many years, so I really appreciate every moment we spend together in midfield. In the past, when he played for Real Madrid, I managed to get a shirt.
“The world of football is really small, but now we find ourselves playing together, side by side in midfield. It’s unreal. It’s fantastic to share the dressing room with him, to be on the pitch with him.
“I’m learning so many things on the pitch just by watching him. Sometimes we speak Spanish, he speaks both English and Spanish well.”
The derby is coming up…
“It’s a different game than the others. When you train for the derby, it’s more special. You don’t have to tell any of your teammates how important the game is or that they need to focus on it.
“Everyone is focused, working hard because it’s incredibly important for our fans, for us. It’s the game where, when you win, it’s like you’ve won a trophy. I’m very focused on this match.”
How difficult is it to focus on the games before the derby knowing that the match is so close?
“I think before the match, we all know the derby is close, but we’re focusing on the games we have to play first, then when the match comes, we’ll think about it. Clearly, it’s very important to win and take home the three points.”
Who did you grow up with as an AC Milan or Italian football idol? Who did you watch as a child?
“I really liked Ronaldinho, but I didn’t watch much football back then. I watched him more later, even through highlights. When I was little, I played football a lot more than I watched it. I enjoyed playing. Every day I’d go out with my brother and my friends and we’d spend hours playing.
“I love those days, out in the street playing. Anyway, Ronaldinho was a great player, and that’s why I chose the number 80 when I arrived at Milan.”
Who is most likely to become a coach after a playing career?
“Matteo Gabbia is truly tactically savvy.”
Who is most likely to become a social media influencer?
“I would have said Rafa but now I say Diego Moreira.”
The worst roommate to be with?
“I say Loftus-Cheek”
Who is most likely to lose one of the three essential items: phone, wallet, or keys?
“Mario Gila always loses a lot of things, like on airplanes. Yes, definitely him. He needs those Apple gadgets, what are they called? AirTags! Yes, we need to give him some AirTags for Christmas.”
And who could survive the longest on a desert island?
“I’d say, I like it! I’m very resourceful, you know?
What’s the secret to surviving on a desert island? You seem very confident…
“I wouldn’t let the pressure get me down. I’d work hard, I’d try to find everything I needed to survive, I’d go fishing.”
The team most likely to win the Milan derby is?
“Milan (laughs).”
