Theo Hernandez discusses the ‘real’ Leao, captaining Milan and feeling of ‘improving’ | OneFootball

Theo Hernandez has admitted that he wasn’t at his best at the start of the season but now feels like he’s improving, and he helped AC Milan to a win against his old side Real Madrid.

Milan pulled off what many would consider to be a rather surprising result in the Champions League as they ran out 3-1 winners against the current holders at the Santiago Bernabeu, and it was fully deserved too.

Milan took an early lead in the game and it came from a Malick Thiaw header from a corner, then Alvaro Morata restored the advantage just before the break after Vinicius Jr. had levelled from the spot.

Tijjani Reijnders fired in from close range in the second half to make it 3-1 and the Rossoneri even missed chances to make it a wider margin. Nonetheless, they got a huge three points in the ‘league phase’ of the UCL.

Theo spoke to Sky after the full-time whistle to reveal his emotions after triumphing at the stadium he used to call home, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

Was it a perfect match?

“I think it’s not easy at all to win here at the Bernabeu and we played a great match, both defensively and in attack. As the coach said I wasn’t 100% physically and mentally, now I’m improving and we and I played a great match.”

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What does it mean to win at this stadium with the captain’s armband on?

“The most important thing is not to be captain in this match but in all the ones I play: I’m very happy. We have to continue working and we have to do it a lot. We have to think about Saturday’s match which is even more important.”

How did you see Leao’s difficult recent moment?

“As we all know, Leao wasn’t in the best moment but as a team and I as a team-mate we helped him every day. Today we saw the real Leao which is what we want to see from here on out.”

You missed a big chance in the second half…

“I took it a bit badly (laughs), but it can happen.”

Could the coach stick with a three/five-man defence?

“I don’t know. I think the coach prepared this match very well, we knew that Vinicius was very strong in one-on-one situations: Musah and Emerson did a great job to stop him. I don’t know if there will be a future, we have to wait or ask the coach (laughs).”