‘AC Milan always wins trophies’ – Emerson Royal seeks Supercoppa Italiana silverware in Riyadh

WHAT HAPPENED?

AC Milan sealed their spot in the Supercoppa Italiana final with a comeback 2-1 win over Juventus on Friday night at Al Awwal Park in the Saudi Arabian capital city. A superb second-half performance in Sergio Conceicao’s debut match as manager saw Christian Pulisic’s penalty and a Federico Gatti own goal in the 70th and 74th minutes overturn Kenan Yildiz’s first-half strike.

The win presents several AC Milan players the opportunity to win their first piece of silverware with the Rossoneri – with Brazilian international Emerson, the 25-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur right back, one of them.

Traditionally one of the most decorated clubs in world football, AC Milan last won silverware with their Serie A triumph in 2021/22. Prior to that, however, their last prize was also the Italian Supercup in 2016.

WHAT EMERSON SAID?

About the Milan derby in the Supercoppa Italiana final in Riyadh, Emerson exclusively told GOAL, “The final is special, and we have the opportunity to win this game. It’s about us and the club – historically Milan always wins trophies. For me, it’s the first time that I compete for this, so I’ll do everything to win the game.”

The 10-times capped Brazil defender admitted he was surprised just how passionate the support for Milan at the packed 25,000-capacity Al Awwal Park was against Juventus, and hopes for more of the same versus Inter.

Emerson, who signed for the San Siro side on a four-year deal last summer, said: “Fans are always important. Milan is a big club so we have a lot of fans everywhere but in the final they will be important for us. I hope for this game they come with a strong mentality like us to win the final.”

Beyond the backing from the fans, Emerson offered intriguing insight into how Conceicao, who replaced Portuguese countryman Paulo Fonseca as AC Milan manager at the end of last year, inspired the second-half turnaround.

Emerson revealed: “The first half was not how we wanted to play and maybe we didn’t put the aggression that he wanted. But for the second half, he pushed us. He said ‘we need more if we are going to win this game’. The second half was completely different. We were stronger, we pressed high, and we were good with the ball as well. You could see the energy he wanted us to put on the pitch. It helped us.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The EA Sports FC Italian Supercup is being staged in Saudi Arabia – where some 80% of the population either play, attend, or follow football – for the fifth time. AC Milan entered this year’s competition as runners up of last season’s Serie A, while Inter Milan, the current Supercup holders, won Serie A. Inter defeated Atalanta 2-0 thanks to a double from Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries at Al Awwal Park in Riyadh – the home of Cristiano Ronaldo’s club Al Nassr – on Thursday to earnt their final spot.

The first EA Sports FC Supercup hosted in Saudi Arabia took place in Jeddah in 2019, with Juventus crowned champions. Subsequently, Riyadh served as the host city for the 2019 Supercup, where Lazio secured the title. Riyadh also hosted the 2022 Supercup, played in 2023, as well as the 2023 tournament, held in 2024, with both trophies claimed by Inter – meaning the Nerazzurri are going for three in a row in the Saudi capital. Another Italian Supercup victory would also equal a record four in succession for Inter, having beaten Juventus in Italy in 2021.

DID YOU KNOW?

Interestingly, the ‘Royal’ in Emerson Royal’s name is a nickname bestowed upon him by his uncle who said he resembled the mascot of the Royal-branded gelatin dessert sold in Brazil.

His full name is Emerson Aparecido Leite de Souza Junior.

WHAT NEXT FOR EMERSON & MILAN?

Their next target is definitely the silverware and getting there by trumping their arch-rivals will be even sweeter.

Asked if new boss Conceicao would allow him to celebrate with some Saudi desserts and sweet treats if AC Milan win the Italian Supercup against Inter in Riyadh on Monday, Emerson laughed and replied: “I think so! If we win, I’ll bring them for me for sure!”