Saelemaekers reveals he had lost ‘joy’ and ‘confidence’ at Milan

Alexis Saelemaekers has spoken about his decision to join Bologna in the summer and how it has helped him rediscover some of the ‘joy’ he had lost while with Milan.

There were some doubts about Saelemaekers’ place in the Milan squad heading into the summer transfer window with rumours that signings could arrive to strengthen the right wing department.

Christian Pulisic and Samuel Chukwueze both arrived from Chelsea and Villarreal respectively, meaning the Belgian was bumped down the pecking order and it was decided as being the best decision for all parties that he find a new club.

Bologna were the team that came calling, and Saelemaekers went there on an initial loan with option to buy deal. He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning about the switch and how it has helped him rediscover a spark.

“Very simple. I had lost joy and also trust in people, my smile. Motta, and with him Bologna, made me feel important again,” he began.

“I can’t wait to see the player I am again: without filters. Of course the beginning wasn’t easy. I hadn’t done the complete preparation before arriving here.

“And as for the sending off [against Monza], well, I was wrong: a player who has accumulated various experiences shouldn’t react like that. I’m not impulsive, emotional yes. I won’t do it again, but…”

But… Where would Bologna be without those refereeing errors?

“It would be enough to do the math. We would be higher. European places, around there. I certainly don’t understand how with all the technologies available we can still make mistakes. No alibis though. And head held high.”

How did Motta convince you to choose Bologna?

“We spoke to each other: I have never received words like his from a coach. I had lost the joy, in the last year at Milan I didn’t have much time to play or confidence.

“I was down, that’s it. ‘You will be important to me’ he told me in summary. Simplicity that brought my smile back. And made to feel the same as before.”

What if you hadn’t been a footballer?

“I love animals. I would have studied veterinary medicine.”

Have you always played football?

“I was a gymnast. The teachers, when I was 8 years old, told my parents that they had never seen a child with that strength. The specialty? The parallels. I wasn’t afraid of anything.”

And how did you get into football?

“I have a brother who is ten years older, but he wasn’t able to combine studies and football in the best possible way. My father Luc didn’t want me to play, he had had the unsuccessful example of my brother.

“When he, Jesse, comes home one day saying he’s joined a team, I start to protest. I’m 11 years old and I say to dad: ‘Why him and me not?’. And dad: ‘But I want him to study Flemish too’.

“We found a compromise and he took me to Beersel Dragenbos, a Flemish team. I started playing. But everyone, in the end, only spoke French, the other language…”

How many roles have you covered in his career?

“Even the goalkeeper: now Motta knows, if it happens like Giroud, I’m there… I’ve been the right and left back, midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger here and there, goalkeeper and centre-forward. As long as they don’t put me in central defence.”

In an interview with a Belgian newspaper you said if Maldini had still been at Milan you would still be there…

“I’ll explain: before he left, he and I talked and he told me that he absolutely wouldn’t want to give me up. That’s all.”

What does winning a Scudetto teach you?

“To want to win again. You know what? Even when I arrived at Milan at the age of 20 there was a situation similar to the one I see here in Bologna, all things considered: a team with many good young players, some expert players and a desire to grow and progress.

“I hope it happens here too: I certainly believe that this team is strong, not only for the results but because a crazy market was made. And in the club I see a great desire to move up.”

Many think in Bologna there is the DNA of Atalanta…

“It depends on us, on our mentality. The potential is there.”

You are very religious?

“Yes, faith helps me a lot. It makes me feel good, it gives me stability and pleasantness in relationships. By force of circumstances I can’t go to religious services but I pray. I pray a lot.”

What do you dream for Bologna and for yourself?

“Europe for us. And keep the newfound smile for me.”