AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic has said that it bothered him last season that many people did not expect the Rossoneri to deliver the Scudetto.
Speaking during an interview with Italian broadcaster DAZN (via Milan News), Krunic spoke very honestly about the perceived lack of belief in the Milan squad last year to win the title that they clinched on the final day of the season away at Sassuolo.
“Even last year no one believed in us but we have always been aware of our quality and our team. Until the last three matches no one spoke of us as the team ready to win the Scudetto,” Krunic said.
“In the last two years we have done an incredible job: we have lost very few games and we always play at a very high level. Last year it bothered me that no one believed in us.”
Milan’s last match was the 2-1 defeat against Napoli which was a major disappointment as it allowed the Azzurri to pull away at the top of the table, their lead now stood at four points heading into Matchday 8.
Krunic suggested that the team did not perform too badly in that game but they lacked something in the final third.
“We played a game of great intensity and quality. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the result but the performance can only give us confidence.
“We lacked a little something in the last 20-30 metres and we could have scored especially in the first half but we are happy with the performance.”
It is commonly said in football that it is much harder to defend a league title than to win one in the first place and Krunic says that Stefano Pioli has spoken to the team about this.
“True, even the coach told us that. This year it’s more difficult because every team wants to beat us because we are Italian champions. However, whether we lose 1-0 or 2-0 for us the game is never over and we play until the last moment.
“Since we are Italian champions things have changed, but we have more drive. The less people talk about us, the more we feel strong and ready to win the Scudetto again.”
Krunic is a player that is often not talked about as one of the stars at Milan or in Serie A in general and he admitted that he does sometimes feel underestimated.
“I feel a little bit underestimated, honestly. But these things happen in football because in the locker room there are players who are considered more important.
“Since I’ve been at AC Milan I feel the trust of the club, the coach, the staff and also my teammates. Surely if I score a few more goals or make a few more assists they would speak better of me.”
On his own growth: “I need to get more shots on goal because last year I had very few chances: you can’t score goals if you don’t shoot on goal. But I was important for other things, that’s why the coach made me play the last few games because I had fewer chances to score goals but I could do the other things he asked of me.”
Best new signing in Serie A: “[Angel] Di Maria for me is a great footballer who has played for very important teams in the world and he has raised the level of Serie A, like many other signings like the ones we have made. Surely the league will be even more interesting.”
On his dreams: “My main dream was to become a professional player at this level and play in Serie A and I achieved it. Then playing in a team like AC Milan that means so much is another dream achieved as well as the Serie A title.
“Obviously we are playing for the Scudetto: it doesn’t end here, I want to win as much as possible and do something more in the Champions League because we have a strong team and no one will be happy to face us.”
On Rafael Leao: “He was certainly fundamental last year and he will be again this year. We showed that we can play without anyone and that our strength is the group: but with Rafa we are stronger.”
