Gila thanks Tare for convincing Milan to sign him, beating Man United was ideal

Mario Gila says that Ruben Amorim and former sporting director Igli Tare were the key figures in his transfer from Lazio to Milan this summer and feels that beating Manchester United 4-2 in a pre-season friendly is the perfect way to prepare for the start of the Serie A campaign this coming weekend.

Gila on Milan move, United victory, Amorim, Tare and Modric Gila sat down to discuss all things Milan in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Monday.

The Spaniard and his teammates are fresh off an encouraging 4-2 victory over head coach Amorim’s former club, Manchester United.

“I’ll be honest, we needed that,” Gila told La Gazzetta dello Sport .

“I’m very happy about the victory and the team’s performance. I felt that this was the ideal challenge ahead of the start of the Serie A season. I’m very happy that we played a game like that against a tough opponent in Manchester United.

“I felt good, even if we still have work to do, we’ve shown that we’re ready for the start of the season.”

It has been a stop-start summer for Gila, whose transfer to Milan was confirmed in mid-July . He then suffered a hamstring injury just 22 minutes into his first appearance for the Rossoneri in a friendly against Celtic in Glasgow.

“It’s been a strange month,” the Spaniard admitted. “I’ve already managed to injure myself during pre-season. Two years ago I spent two months out at Lazio and it had happened before as well. I’m feeling better and I’m very happy that the team has this positive energy.”

And how has Gila found it settling into life at Milanello?

“I was welcomed well by everyone. I felt comfortable from the first training session. There’s a positive atmosphere and I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Players applaud the supporters after a pre-season firiendly between Celtic and Milan at Celtic Park (via www.acmilan.com) “I’ve been getting on well with the coach. He’s someone who likes to talk to everyone, who tries to take care of relationships off the pitch as well. I think that’s a very important detail to have in a team.”

With Amorim now in charge, the expectation is that Milan will play with a much higher line compared to last season under Massimiliano Allegri and Gila is expected to play a key role in that.

“Playing with a high line is definitely riskier,” Gila agreed. “I saw Milan play several times last season and it was definitely a different style of play. This year the tactical instructions are much different and the back three is much higher, pushing the ‘centre of gravity’ further up the pitch as well.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – AUGUST 08: Head coach Ruben Amorim of AC Milan looks on during the pre-season friendly between Chelsea FC and AC Milan at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on August 08, 2026 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Peksi Cahyo/Getty Images) “It’s true that it’s more difficult and that you’re taking more risk by leaving more space behind you, but in this way, the team has the possibility to win the ball back in a much more dangerous area of the pitch. I think our style of football will be much more proactive and attacking.”

But what does that mean for the defenders in the team?

“It’s true, you have to stay focused to every minute detail and be in sync with your teammates. Otherwise, it happened a couple of times against United when we weren’t in the best position in certain situations and it allowed the opponent in on goal. But, I will repeat, I like this approach and it suits my characteristics. I think I can help the team a lot playing like this.”

How special does it feel for Gila to have signed for Milan?

“Coming here is a dream come true. Like everyone, I always wanted to become a professional footballer as a child, but to get to these sorts of levels is not easy, so it’s a dream.

Mario Gila poses in the Milan jersey (@acmilan) “Now I’m trying to be positive and integrate quickly. I’m really happy to be at Milan. We have a good team and I don’t know what the club might do on the market, but I’m convinced we have a competitive group. We showed it against United and we have to carry on like that.”

Milan had registered an interest in signing Gila when Allegri was still the head coach and Igli Tare was still the sporting director, but even after a major overhaul of the club’s senior management structure this summer, Gila was still among the club’s priority signings.

“Tare was an important factor in this decision for me,” Gila revealed. “I thank him a lot because he’s one of the people that has helped me the most in my career and he definitely put my name in Milan’s head. Even back in March when there was still a long way to go before the end of the season.

“On my end, I think I put in some excellent performances for Lazio and Amorim liked that as well. So in the end, the deal was done and I am happy.”

Napoli and Atalanta had also shown an interest in Gila over the summer, but it was Milan who were able to convince him.

“I wanted Milan because the conversations with Tare were positive, about the team and the club. Then I got the call from Ruben and he convinced me to come. Having the coach and the club want you is an important factor. Even with other teams in the mix, I was always convinced that Milan was the best choice.”

Joining Milan has also brought a reunion between Gila and Luka Modric, who were both previously on Real Madrid’s books.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 05: Luka Modric of AC Milan runs inti the field during the pre-season match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Optus Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) “He’s special,” Gila said. “I was lucky enough to meet him when I was with him at Real Madrid as a youngster. I trained with the first team and even if I only played with him a little, I looked to him as an inspiration. He was a player everyone admired, watched and wanted to learn from.

“Being here in Milan with Luka is a gift of destiny. I love talking to him, getting to know him and listening to his advice and suggestions. I’m sure he will help me improve a lot as a player and most importantly with mentality as well.”