Exclusive: ‘AC Milan starlet could have joined Inter’, says father
As a father, how would you describe the goal against Rijeka?
“I was at the stadium and that was really amazing. A last-minute goal is always great, it worth more. Patrick managed to score one of the chances he had. Montella is helping him to improve because he was a great striker during his playing career. I can’t talk too much about the manager but I think Montalla’s philosophy fits with the qualities of Patrick. As a father I have to say that I am happy that my son has been praised of late, but one always needs to remain balanced. Excessive criticisms and excessive praises are never good.”
Are you disappointed for any specific comment about Patrick?
“All the compliments did not give us a big head and criticisms do not discourage us. After the Lazio defeat we read some unpleasant stuff on Italian papers, I think Patrick has no specific faults for that defeat. Sometimes people forget he is only 19, I like constructive criticisms not destructive ones. There is too much pressure on young Italian footballer, they get more critics that foreign footballers, that’s why it is so hard for them to grow up.”
What does his celebration mean?
“He has been celebrating like that for many years, he invented it but he made me a promise. He is not going to have a new tattoo.”
Patrick has recently got a new contract as well...
“True and we are really happy about it. We had reached an agreement long time ago, now we can thank the club for the pay rise but money is not what Patrick wants.”
Could he leave AC Milan in the summer?
“He had some concrete offers but AC Milan didn’t want to sell him, Patrick was open to leave on loan.”
On the 15th of October there will be the Milan derby. Patrick came close to joining Inter in the past...
“He had a trial training which was also positive. We didn’t hear anything anymore from them and we made a new one with AC Milan.”