Saelemaekers: "Milan, I'll play for you anywhere. As a kid, I wanted to be Modric, now I play with him."

He's back... home and he's happy. In fact, he couldn't be happier. Alexis Saelemaekers has never stopped thinking about AC Milan and the Rossoneri jersey.

Let's start here: Saelemaekers, are you happy to be back at Milan?

"Of course, yes. In Bologna and Rome as a professional I gave my all. In a part of my mind, however, Milan and the hope of returning here have always been there. I have remained fond of this club, its fans, and the Rossoneri environment."

In fact, he didn't score against Milan either for the rossoblù or the giallorossi.

(Laughs) "I couldn't do it."

His numbers away from Milanello have been excellent: 4 goals and 3 assists in Bologna, 7 goals and 7 assists against Roma, despite a fractured malleolus.

"I also scored four goals and three assists at AC Milan (in 2022-23, ed.), but I've grown a lot in the last two seasons. I joined Milan at 19 and it was my first experience away from Belgium. Anderlecht is a historic club, but AC Milan is... AC Milan. I'd say it was a big step up, and getting used to it was quite difficult at first because I was in a dressing room with Ibrahimovic and Donnarumma. I couldn't be at their level, but I'm competitive on the pitch and I gave it my all anyway."

Do you know that now at Milan you will have to repeat the same level as last year at Roma?

"I'll try. This is my second home and it's nice to have found so many people who love me and who I love."

She was here in the year of the tricolor 2021-22.

"Beautiful memories. I haven't gotten a tattoo because I only have one, the date of my first professional match, but I have it all in my head: our fans wanted that Scudetto and the celebration was wonderful."

How was your first impression of Allegri?

"He's a coach who's won a lot and knows what it takes to win. Milan went through a tough period last year, and we're doing what the new coach asks of us to achieve great results."

Allegri sees her in multiple roles.

"No problem. I've played in many positions throughout my career: all I need is a central defender, but I don't have the physique (laughs). Imagine, I even played in goal as a kid! In Anderlecht's youth teams, they demand that all the players be able to play in every position, so I've automated the movements. In Belgium, I played right back, as I did once at AC Milan; at Bologna, I played left winger... I adapt, and if I can help the team, I'm happy."

This year he will challenge his compatriot De Bruyne.

"He's a great player, and we talked within the national team about the possibility of him coming to Serie A. I think it's great for Italian football to have two legends like him and Modric. I would have preferred not to have Kevin as an opponent (laughs), but now we'll do everything we can to beat him and Napoli, who are a fantastic team. We want to compete and always give our all."

What is the goal of the season?

"Return to the Champions League, but let's take it one game at a time. Get as many points as possible. Always keep our feet on the ground."

On a personal level, what are you asking for?

"To perform as well as last year, to play as many games as possible, and to help the team win. Milan must return to the top, be competitive in Serie A and other competitions. We new players will give our all, and those who were here last year will do everything they can to forget certain disappointments. We're starting from scratch with desire and ambition."

Among your classmates, who impressed you the most?

"Ricci is very strong technically. I'm also curious to train with Luka Modric: as a child, I dreamed of being like him."

Meanwhile, she is among the most acclaimed of the team.

"I like it... People have noticed that I love this shirt, that after two years away I've come back improved, but with the same desire to help Milan. If I had stayed here, in my comfort zone, I wouldn't have grown."

What is your dream?

"Winning more trophies with Milan. That's why I came home."