Dutch pair thrilled with Milan debut

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.

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.”