Tonali: “From the Europa League preliminaries two years ago to today, it’s a path we deserve”

Ahead of the Rossonerri’s fixture against Red Bull Salzburg, Milan central midfielder Sandro Tonali touched upon the Milanese club’s enduring success within European football over the past couple of years.

With only one point needed within this evening’s fixture to secure second place, Pioli’s side can snatch qualification into the Round of 16 for the first time in nine years.

While speaking to the media, via MilanNews, the deep-lying playmaker expressed his emotions ahead of the vital match, as well as the pressure within the dressing room:

From the Europa League preliminaries two years ago to today, it’s a path we deserve. We started from the bottom and we’ve come this far. We know it’s an important moment of the season, which gives us the chance to improve and reach the first goal of the season.

One should not be afraid. The pressure is right to be there. We know that Salzburg are a very strong team with specific characteristics.

We have worked a lot on them and on ourselves, which is the most important thing now. Fear has to be put aside to face the game as we know how to do.”

In addition, the 22 year-old Italian international discussed the significance of making it to the knockout phase of the tournament for the club as a whole:

We congratulated Pioli on the renewal, he deserves it. We’ve worked on the match that must be, we mustn’t go onto the pitch with the thought of drawing.

“That’s the one mistake we mustn’t make. It’s difficult, but as mature players that we are, we have to think that it’s a match to be won.”