Sandro Tonali was on media duties at the San Siro last night, speaking to the media after Eddie Howe ahead of our UEFA Champions League opener against AC Milan.
He admitted it will be a “day full of emotions” as he returns to his boyhood club; who allowed him to ‘live his dream’ before sealing a £55m move to St James’ Park this summer.
When asked about the move, he revealed that it was a “difficult start”, as he struggled to communicate with new teammates and felt “lost” in the early days. However, he then explained the key role Eddie Howe and players have had, helping him settle both personally and professionally.
Two months on from his arrival, Tonali insists he’s “very happy” on Tyneside and at a “wonderful club”, promising to give his all “today, tomorrow and forever” after seeing staff work “24/7” to support him.
Here’s what the Italian had to say when speaking the the press from the San Siro:
“This summer has been hard and I’ve had a difficult start. At the beginning it was not easy to find my place at Newcastle, but I have found people to support me and to help me and I started to be happier. I have to thank Mr (Eddie) Howe and my team-mates have been great. They are helping me in my personal and professional life. They have helped me settle.
“The language at the beginning was very, very difficult for me, communicating with the guys I found extremely tough and on the pitch everything changes when you swap countries and in the beginning I was lost, but it is getting easier and I’m very happy. It is getting easier, tactically, the language, everything.
“I’ve been lucky to find people who are in love with football and want to support me. I’ve come across wonderful club and staff. In two months, I’ve seen the staff working 24/7. I want to be professional today, tomorrow and forever.”
“It will be the most thrilling feeling to come out into the stadium packed with people again. They let me live my dream here at AC Milan, the team I supported first of all, but now I come back as a rival. I will have a lot of feelings tomorrow, a lot of emotions. Everything happened so fast with the transfer, I was overwhelmed at first, but I have come across a wonderful team, wonderful staff and play for people who love football. The people of Newcastle will help anyone.
“When the draw was made and we found out about the group, I saw it coming. I knew it had to happen. It was like destiny. I saw it (the draw) coming. I knew it had to happen. It was like destiny! I hope for a beautiful match. Tomorrow is going to be a day full of emotions.
“As I said, I think I’m going to feel the emotion tomorrow at 90 per cent. Today it’s at 10 per cent. I’ve met some people I’m familiar with at Milan and have been in touch with them.”
