The Belgian jokes since the national team’s retirement: “According to the media, it seems that I arrive at Milanello crying every day… Not scoring weighs on me, I hoped I would have been more important than what I’ve been up to now”
A journey – also – within himself. A self-analysis to try to explain the meaning of a strange season, certainly very different from the one you imagined. Charles De Ketelaere has spoken to Het Laatste Nieuws since the withdrawal of the Belgian national team, and also spoke about Milan. He words of a mature boy who can’t wait to shake off a heavy situation.
Criticisms
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“The first months at Milan were disappointing, even negative. These were definitely not my expectations. After an excellent season with Bruges and after the move to Milan, which I don’t regret, I would have hoped to be more important than I’ve been so far. There are so many reasons. The environment, a higher level of football, adaptation to many things, life off the pitch. Be that as it may, I judge my performance in a different way than people or the press. I try to look more at the technical side and thus try to improve the next game. I admit that one way or another I get those comments but I never focused on criticism. At Milan the comments were initially positive and then they turned negative. It pains me not to have scored, but I will never let myself be carried away by the criticisms, just as I won’t get pissed off if one day the situation turns positive. I would like to show that I am hungry and live for football and good performances. I don’t want it to become a problem. If I were to believe the media, it would seem that every day I arrive at Milanello crying (laughs, ed)”.
Upper level
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Then he specifies an important factor: “Lately I’ve been taking care of my body in an even more professional way. Before and after training I take better care of it, more than at the time of Bruges and this makes me feel better. I do a lot more gym, I’m careful with food. I know what I can do.” And in tactical terms, compared to Belgium “the level is higher and there is a higher intensity. It is more difficult to enter the opponent’s penalty area. The game is more tactical, you have to be more focused during the match. Maldini makes me feel his trust. How much time am I going to give myself? I didn’t impose a period. I try to finish the season by working as hard as possible every day to then be able to get a starting place. For the moment, I’m not thinking of anything else.”
March 26, 2023 (change March 26, 2023 | 2:18 pm)
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