Gianluigi Donnarumma will step out at San Siro once again tonight, the stadium he used to call home, and he expects a warm reception from the fans present.
Italy will host Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana’s France tonight in the UEFA Nations League. Both teams are already assured of the qualification for the quarter-finals but will play for the top spot in the group.
Donnarumma’s Milan exit in the summer of 2021 left a bitter taste in the mouths of many. He came through the academy and made his debut aged 16, but he left for Paris Saint-Germain and on a free transfer too, meaning Milan got nothing.
He returned to San Siro last season as the Rossoneri beat PSG 2-1 in the Champions League. He was jeered loudly when his name was read, insults and chants were aimed at him while fake money with his face on rained down from the stands.
In the pre-match press conference, Donnarumma spoke about his return to San Siro and what he expected from the fans, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
What will it be like to be back at San Siro?
“Returning to San Siro is always special, it was my home for many years, there are wonderful fans, they make you feel their warmth, when you enter San Siro you have a totally different energy.
“As I will tell the team, if there will be this atmosphere it is also thanks to us, we must be proud, we must go there and make them excited.”
What do you expect from the fans at San Siro?
“I expect a great reception, when we wear the national team jersey we are all Italian, I expect a great atmosphere for the whole team, I am convinced that it will be a special evening.”
Belgium
