Bonaventura reveals Galliani hijacked move to Inter: “Of course I want to come to Milan” | OneFootball

Giacomo Bonaventura is one of the more memorable AC Milan players in the latter stages of the Silvio Berlusconi reign, and the midfielder spoke about the move and his relationship with the former owner.

It seemed like a ‘dream’ move would not occur for Jack as the 2014 summer mercato came to a close, however, it would not end like that as Milan swooped in at the death, and allowed a dream to come true.

Today, Bonaventura spoke to Radio Serie A about the move and the details behind it, and Milan Press have relayed his words.

“That of 2 September 2014 was a bit of a stressful day, in the afternoon I had had contacts with Inter, talks, interest, but Inter had to sell some players to get others so we waited, waited… seven, eight, nine o’clock.

“Then came the phone call from Galliani who said ‘Come to Casa Milan if you want to come to Milan’, and I said: ‘Of course I want to come to Milan’. Milan was an extraordinary club, we went to Casa Milan with Percassi and in five minutes we found the agreement.”

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The now-Fiorentina midfielder also shone a light on his relationship with Berlusconi, and how he impacted his career whilst with the Rossoneri.

“Berlusconi? I remember the first meeting, the same evening I received his phone call. He told me he had inquired, he had made some phone calls, and he was very happy to have me at AC Milan, then he said ‘I saw that you don’t have earrings, crests, or tattoos, are you sure you’re a footballer?’

“I had a wonderful relationship with him, he was an exceptional person, with a big heart. He held me in high esteem, and that gave me a lot of confidence and a lot of drive to do my best.”

Milan won their first Supercoppa Italiana since 2016, a game in which Bonaventura played a part in, and he also revisited the memories of the victory before also reminiscing on his wider time at the club of his dreams.

“There have been many good moments, as well as troubled seasons. When you win a trophy you remain in history, then I also scored goals. We were playing against a stellar Juve, much stronger than us, we did a great performance holding the tie for 120′ and then we won on penalties. It was a great satisfaction.”

“I was at AC Milan for six years, I’ve played many games and I’ve always given my best despite the fact that there have been a few changes in the club, in coaches, but I’ve always tried to do my best. Going into the San Siro gave me an incredible charge and I always tried to give my all, the people appreciated that.

“I have a spectacular memory of those years, the atmosphere at the San Siro… the last few games it was empty and when I would go home after the games I would dream of the stadium full of people, I missed it so much. Playing at the San Siro gives you a special charge.”

“There were so many moments when I suffered, between changes of coaches and clubs, at all levels. So many players were going and so many were coming.

“Inside me I always had the feeling that Milan could return to winning ways from one year to the next, instead there have always been difficult years with problems, but there have been so many positive things that it is strange to talk about negative things.

“When you play at AC Milan you can’t be unhappy or dissatisfied because it’s an incredible team with an exceptional fan base. Only good memories.”