Florenzi: ‘Milan critics had to stay quiet for 4 years’ and now running wild

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – MAY 31: Alessandro Florenzi of AC Milan looks on while warming up during the friendly between AC Milan and AS Roma at Optus Stadium on May 31, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Alessandro Florenzi feels there is so much criticism of Milan now because ‘they had to stay quiet for four years and were backed up,’ but he believes they can still take fourth place.

The right-back has not been able to play at all this season due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last summer.

He has recently returned to the squad, not just to sit on the bench, but above all for his contribution to the locker room atmosphere as one of the leadership figures who are otherwise sorely lacking.

Florenzi expressed that approach in his interview with Sky Sport Italia this afternoon.

“I trust Milan, I know the players and consider them to be very strong,” said the 34-year-old.

“We’ve got to plug our ears and not listen. It’s natural that everyone is talking about us, seeing as we are not doing well. They had to stay quiet for four years and were backed up, so now everyone is eager to criticise, seeing as we are in ninth place. It’s not new to me, but it might be for others.”

Florenzi has hope for Milan’s season

Milan did win the Supercoppa Italiana in January and will face Inter again in the Coppa Italia semi-finals next month, but the campaign will be deemed a failure if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.

“We must give our all and that’s it, leave the field without regret. We need several factors to win, including a united group and quality, but in my view this side has more quality than the one that took the Scudetto. There are a lot of us and we’re strong,” continued Florenzi.

“Perhaps what we were really lacking was experience.”

Stefano Pioli won the Scudetto and his era came to an end last summer, but Paulo Fonseca lasted barely six months before he was replaced by Sergio Conceicao.

“We started the season with a coach who was different to the previous five years, after which choices brought us to another coach. Obviously, it’s never easy with these situations, especially for such a young squad as ours. It mustn’t be an alibi: we win and lose together, meaning everyone has responsibility, whether it’s the coach, players or club.”

Nonetheless, Florenzi has genuine hope for Milan to turn the situation around before the end of the current campaign.

“We can target fourth place, obviously it’s difficult and we have to take it one game at a time, treating every single one as if it’s a Final. We’ve been awfully good at talking this season, but have to take more action.”

That starts next weekend with a showdown against second-placed Napoli.

“It is a game that can give us a huge boost or sap us of confidence. Napoli are doing great things and challenging for the Scudetto. It might seem anomalous to say this, but I would like to see Milan put in a great performance, regardless of the result,” concluded Florenzi.