AC Milan midfielder Yacine Adli has recalled his journey from seemingly being an afterthought in the mind of head coach Stefano Pioli to now being a valuable part of the midfield rotations.
Adli signed a contract with Bordeaux in the summer of 2021, but he spent the season there on loan. When he ultimately joined Milan for the 2018–19 season, he played in just 140 minutes.
In spite of this, and despite persistent rumors of a summer exit, he rolled up his sleeves and gradually gained Pioli’s faith, to the point that he is now starting more games.
He chatted with L’Equipe before making his way back to France tonight to play Stade Rennais in the second leg of the Rossoneri’s Europa League play-off round tie. News from Milan carried his remarks.
What was it like when you arrived at Milan?
“I was young and exposed. I have matured a lot. What struck me most when I arrived at Milan was the strength of the institution.”
You didn’t play much, did any doubts creep in?
“Never, because I wasn’t in a bad way in training. According to the coach, I had to make a tactical leap, like all the players who arrive in Serie A.”
Why were you used so rarely?
“I needed to get better on defense. Next, in the position of an offensive midfielder, there was Charles De Ketelaere, the summer’s biggest acquisition, and Brahim Diaz, who was performing admirably. I was lagging behind them in the hierarchy and still learning. It was challenging for me to establish myself on the field.
How were you able to keep going?
“I never gave up in training and the intensity was maximum in every session. I wasn’t in the Champions League squad list and therefore sometimes I trained alone, with a trainer.
“I didn’t want to waste time, I had to be ready for every eventuality. I had a good relationship with everyone, I had weight in the dressing room, I was a point of reference, even if I didn’t play much.”
Last summer it seemed certain you would leave on loan, how did it go?
“The directors wanted me to continue because they were pleased with my devotion. Similar sentiments were expressed in Pioli’s statement. I never had any issues with him, I accepted his decisions as a coach, and he was always trustworthy.
With two central midfielders and a deeper midfielder, Pioli implemented a new system. He said to me at the start of the season, “You have to find a way out, we made other choices.”
“I assured him he could count on my sincerity till I departed and thanked him for being honest. However, I stayed with the team because I put in a lot of work, readying the starters, and the coach even took us on a tour of the US.
“There, he told me that the club was looking for a defensive midfielder but he thought I could have my say. I told him that I had already played in that position… although I’m not even sure that it’s true!”
What is it like having Zlatan Ibrahimovic back around the club?
“I live really close to him. Everyone acquainted with him will attest to his exceptional character and his unquestionable contribution to people’s lives. He is an excellent analyst and can provide focused guidance.
It comes naturally to him as a manager since he did it as a player. “Shut up and work, it will come,” Zlatan advised me. And it took place.
And Olivier Giroud?
“A wellspring of motivation? He has undoubtedly always been questioned, but he has always behaved honorably and kept his standards high. He is a living example of tenacity and resolve.
Yacine Adli isn’t anticipated to start tonight’s match against Rennes, a team he is familiar with, but he may undoubtedly contribute significantly off the bench as Milan looks to advance to the round of 16 with the least amount of drama.
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