Ismael Bennacer has lifted the lid on why he wanted to leave AC Milan in order to join Marseille, strongly hinting at tactical motivations.
Bennacer was one of the last minute farewells in the crazy winter transfer window that Milan had. Despite starting the derby against Inter the previous day, the Algerian pushed to join Marseille and eventually did, on loan with an option to buy.
Corriere della Sera (via Milan News) even reported that Bennacer had a ‘heated face-to-face’ with Sergio Conceicao at half-time in the derby, due to his decision to replace the midfielder with Alex Jimenez – a decision which he obviously did not agree with.
There was talk of Milan being irritated by Bennacer’s decision to try and force an exit right at the end of the window and also because of Marseille’s timing, having done the same thing in the summer by waiting until the final hours.
Nonetheless, Bennacer was satisfied and he spoke today in a press conference that unveiled him to the fans. His comments were relayed by MilanPress.
“I have been a Marseille fan since I was a kid. It is a really interesting project for me, we had already had some contact this summer and in these months I had the chance to think about it,” he said.
“I have always liked De Zerbi, and I would have liked to play for him sooner or later, being here at Marseille is even better. We want to fight for the title, I have already won and I can be of help.
“De Zerbi has a philosophy that I like, he wants to have possession of the ball to win. Different from Milan, where they didn’t focus too much on possession and the role of the midfielders.
“At the time of the first contacts I was returning from a serious injury, and at Milan there was a new coach who was counting on me, which is why we didn’t go into more detail.
“I’m not here because they wanted to sell me or because they pushed me to come, I was the one who told the management that I wanted to go to Marseille. My condition? I’m fine, I’m 100%.”
