A different vision. After England and Italy, between the Blackburn, Fiorentina and Milan jerseys, Nikola Kalinic is now living a new football adventure with Atlético Madrid: the striker will try to get back on track with an important coach like Diego Pablo Simeone after a difficult year with the Rossoneri and a World Cup that ended sooner than expected. Interviewed by AS, the former Milan player has talked about his experiences in Serie A and his new adventure.
"I'm happy: I hadn't played in Spain after succeeding in England and Italy, I've came here with a great will to do well. Everyone plays here, an attractive football. There's not such a strong defensive aspect like in Italy, everyone wants to play and win the games. The interest from the Colchoneros? When one of the biggest clubs, who has great objectives calls you... There's not a lot to think about. Simeone called me and I've talked with him: he told me he wanted me and that I could have played a lot of games, that there would have been opportunities for everyone. I enjoyed his call: when you come in such a club, you know it won't be easy to have tour spot with great forwards like Costa and Griezmann. Vrsaljko and Mandzukic have told me the team is strong, not only because of the players though: the atmosphere, the fans are great values of the club. You need to work hard day after day here, this motivates me".
His experience as a Rossonero was one of the most complex of his career, even by knowing a figure like Gattuso: "It was hard for me at Milan: I couldn't be with the team during the pre-season and I trained by myself at Spalato waiting for a transfer. I arrived during the season before having a lot of physical problems. Milan is a great club, used to competing to win titles and win them, they want results quickly: we were 11 new players, you need time to build something. I wish Milan the best, they deserve to fight for the Champions League. Gattuso? He's incredible: out of the pitch he jokes and laughs a lot, one you would stay with. But when you're training or in a game... He gives everything and wants you to do it too. He puts pressure on you. He's crazy, in a good way, a great person. I think Milan will do greatly with him".
In the end, Kalinic has also talked about the important China offer he refused when he was at Fiorentina: "While at Florence I received an very important offer from China, there were a lot of money, it's true. I play football because I love the game though, not only for the money. If I had gone, my career would have almost been over, I've decided to keep playing at the highest level. I wouldn't have been happy in China, my family wouldn't have settled well there".
About the national team: "What did happen during the World Cup? People have talked a lot about it, it's the past. What happened is a long story. I'd like to return in the national team, I'm available, it's hard to explain".
