Alvaro Morata expects to be whistled by Real Madrid fans when he returns to the Bernabeu on Tuesday, but warns that ‘time to adapt is up’ and insists Rafael Leao is the ‘best player on the team.’
The Spanish striker released an interview with The Athletic on the eve of a Champions League meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Morata joined Milan on a permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid last summer.
“Before coming to Milan everybody told me the air you breathe here is different,” he said.
“It’s enough to come and eat in the restaurant here at Milanello. You look around and see all the players who have won things for Milan. For me, Milan has always played an important in football history.
“It’s normal to have pressure playing at San Siro, playing in the Champions League, and every time you pull on a shirt like this. Every game brings responsibility. It’s more a privilege (than a burden). Many players would give anything to play for these teams and I’ve been fortunate enough to play for lots of them at the highest level. I’m very happy about that.”
A former Juventus striker, Morata said he’s been following Milan since childhood.
“My sister gave me Kaka’s jersey as a present. I remember his goal against Manchester United (in 2007),” he recalled.
“I remember the boots Kaka had; everything about him. Milan fought for the Champions League in that era and I remember the games.”
The Rossoneri have collected just three points in the opening three Champions League matches but the Spaniard insisted that the team must believe they can win the competition.
“In football you never know. Last year Borussia Dortmund weren’t doing well in the league or in general. They reached the Champions League final and who knows if the shot had gone in and not hit the post (at 0-0) maybe Borussia are champions of Europe now,” he said.
“That’s the beauty of the Champions League. Every year teams that nobody expects are there or thereabouts.
“We have to believe. We’re Milan and we have to aim to win everything. If you lose against a top side it’s because it is the Champions League, but we’re obliged to think we can do it. If you don’t get there, you don’t get there — but we have to think it’s possible.”
The Rossoneri sit 7th in the Serie A table but have a game in hand. They have a new coach, Paulo Fonseca and results have been inconsistent in the league and in the Champions League.
“I think we’re finding more mechanisms. We’re doing things more naturally now,” the Spaniard noted.
“We’ve got a lot of new players (five), a new coach. But the time to adapt is up, we have to do it right away.”
All eyes are on Rafael Leao, who has been benched in the last three league matches.
“It’s only a phase and, often, it’s like that for attacking players. A big goal or an easy one will be enough for him to get his confidence back. It’s not easy. Everything Rafa does is a story, but he’s so important for us and we need him. He knows that perfectly well. He’s working hard and it’s just a phase. His time will come this season and he’ll make us win.”
Morata has played for Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid so he expects a hostile reception from the Merengues fans when he returns to the Bernabeu on Tuesday.
“In the end I think it’ll be the same. I don’t think things have changed a lot. But I’m aware of it and I expect to be whistled and everything. It’s normal.”
Morata has two goals and two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season. The 32-year-old’s contract at San Siro expires in June 2028, but there is an option to extend for a further campaign.
