Milan, Aug. 22 (LaPresse) – “I’m not the one taking the field. Milan was my home for more than 10 years, and seeing those colours is like meeting a relative. With Milan I became a man and a footballer; the club taught me to have ambitions. The best way to show my affection is by trying to make things difficult for them. Once I walk out of the dressing-room tunnel, my past will no longer matter. There will only be the present, with the fierce ambition to make the best possible start to the season.”Torino coach Ignazio Abate said this during a press conference on the eve of his side’s league opener against his former club Milan. “We are facing a strong team with major ambitions that has strengthened considerably in the transfer market. We have to focus on ourselves and try to strengthen our mentality. The players have raised their level. Tomorrow we will see what choices we make; I have more options in attack. Njie has recovered, while Zapata had his first training session this morning,” he said. “There are many details we need to improve, above all we need to fully embrace the idea [of how we want to play]. Development takes time, but I am happy with how the team has absorbed our ideas. We have an extra week of work behind us; I have seen the right attitude from the players. We will play the right kind of match,” Abate added. Finally, on his duel with Amorim: “I admire him. He has worked at prestigious clubs, and it will be a great match. We have to remain focused on ourselves. We must be able to put our qualities on the pitch during a difficult moment. I want to see the soul of this group. I want a fierce team, as the history of Torino demands,” Abate concluded.
Serie A, Abate: “Milan is my family, but I want a fierce Torino”
Milan, Aug. 22 (LaPresse) – “I’m not the one taking the field. Milan was my home for more than 10 years, and seeing those colours is like meeting a relative. With Milan I became a man and a footballer; the club taught me to have ambitions. The best way to show my affection is by trying to make things difficult for them. Once I walk out of the dressing-room tunnel, my past will no longer matter. There will only be the present, with the fierce ambition to make the best possible start to the season.”Torino coach Ignazio Abate said this during a press conference on the eve of his side’s league opener against his former club Milan. “We are facing a strong team with major ambitions that has strengthened considerably in the transfer market. We have to focus on ourselves and try to strengthen our mentality. The players have raised their level. Tomorrow we will see what choices we make; I have more options in attack. Njie has recovered, while Zapata had his first training session this morning,” he said. “There are many details we need to improve, above all we need to fully embrace the idea [of how we want to play]. Development takes time, but I am happy with how the team has absorbed our ideas. We have an extra week of work behind us; I have seen the right attitude from the players. We will play the right kind of match,” Abate added. Finally, on his duel with Amorim: “I admire him. He has worked at prestigious clubs, and it will be a great match. We have to remain focused on ourselves. We must be able to put our qualities on the pitch during a difficult moment. I want to see the soul of this group. I want a fierce team, as the history of Torino demands,” Abate concluded.