MILAN – The press conference to present Maxi Lopez started with a statement from Adriano Galliani: “We had two attackers on our radar, one is here, and one is not. I must say thanks to Maxi, he has been fantastic throughout the whole process, from when we started talking to Catania in December. Finally at 19.00 last Friday the deal was signed. Yesterday he was on the bench, and his presence brought us luck as won won 3-0. Maxi has a great history behind him, starting at River Plate which is a great club, then Barcelona, and then other important teams. Our coach likes his movement a lot, and I believe he will do well for us, so I wish him well and I would like to welcome him here”.
The first question for Maxi Lopez was from Milan Channel, and he replied: “I have wanted to join since the first minute of talks surfacing between Milan and Catania. I would like to thank the club, who have been very clear with me from the first minute, and I have waited until the last moment. I’ve been optimistic the whole time, because Adriano Galliani and Ariedo Braida have openly discussed the situation with me. I have had to wait a while, but I’ve kept calm. It’s been an interesting week, but Milan have always been a dream side for me, and to arrive at a big club such as this, you have to take a few risks sometimes. Yesterday at the stadium I could really feel what this club is about. For us Argentinians, Milan are an important club, as a kid I would wake up and watch the great Milan who would win the league. Now I’m getting to know my team mates, and yesterday was a real pleasure and now I’m starting to understand everyone’s attitude here. My team mates have welcomed me, and I want to do well for the club and be ready for the next game”.
Still Maxi: “My job is to score, and I will look to do so in every opportunity; a squad such as this fights on all fronts. The derby? I’ve played such games in Argentina, Spain and Sicily, but this will be different to all of those. Tevez? I haven’t spoken to him recently, but he’s a true professional, and whatever happens, he’ll go to a big club; I’ve always had a good rapport with him”.
Adriano Galliani: “The arrival of Tevez isn’t predicted right now, we’ll see what the situaiton is in the summer, but the market is almost closed. The transfer window is very dynamic, you never know what can happen. If you had asked me at 13.00 on August 31st whether the market was open or closed, I would have said closed, but then Nocerino joined us and now he’s doing brilliantly. He has scored seven goals, including a great one last night. It hasn’t been since the time of Benetti that we’ve seen something like it. Between now and 19.00 tomorrow, I can’t tell you what will happen. Pato? There have been many false rumours circulating, but he has decided to stay at Milan, there’s no secret about that and that’s the only truth. Pato called the club and said so, and after many years of experience, I have learned to respect players' decisions. Similar situations hacve occurred for Boban, Serginho and Abbiati. Now the reality is we have a lot of great attacking talent.”