da dobrowin: New signings Mark van Bommel and Urby Emanuelson were happy to be put in the mix in AC Milan’s Coppa Italia win over Sampdoria on Wednesday.
da premier bet: The pair had only come to the San Siro during the week, with van Bommel not even training prior to appearing under manager Massimiliano Allegri, while Emanuelson had a training run with his team-mates prior to the hit-out.
The Dutchmen played all 90 minutes in the 2-1 victory, courtesy of Alexandre Pato’s brace, and Emanuelson said it was a baptism of fire to kick off his career at the club.
“The first game was a tough match. About the trainer, he spoke with me a lot in the last two days. I trained one time with team, and I did a lot of tactical movements – how I have to perform in the game, so I think that’s a good quality of the coach the players they helped me a lot, talked with me, they wished me good luck, and they were happy with my performance yesterday, so am I, it was a good start,” the defender said.
Van Bommel said it was a whirlwind 24 hours leading into the Coppa Italia quarter-final, but he was happy he could settle down into the Milan midfield after making his debut.
“For me it was a little bit strange of course. I didn’t train with the team. One day before the match I was in Munich. We negiotated the contract, everything went really well, really quick,” van Bommel said.
“I was glad that I was playing yesterday. And I have to make a big compliment to Mr Galliani, to the team and to the trainer as well. They made me a part of the Milan family, it’s not so easy when you are come so quick to a club but I feel really well, now we’re going to recover and we’re going to play on saturday again, so it’s really a quick life, but I’m happy that I’m here.”