Modric mania hit the Sam Kerr Football Centre as a sell-out crowd of 2000 packed the Queens Park venue for the AC Milan open training session.
Such is the love for the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner that there were almost as many Croatia national tops on show as the black-and-red of Milan, with cries of “Luka, Luka” ringing around the stadium.
And the midfield superstar did not disappoint, delighting supporters desperate to get a selfie or signed shirt.
It was the same with his teammates and head coach Ruben Amorim, who were equally engaging as the Rossoneri wrapped up their nine-day training camp ahead of tonight’s Calcio Italiano derby with Serie A rivals Inter at Optus Stadium.
This is the third successive year Milan have visited WA, and the second they have held a dedicated pre-season camp at the Sam Kerr Football Centre.
AC Milan Business Development Director Luca Bertarini says the centre ticks all their boxes.
“It’s the perfect set-up because, first of all, it’s top quality. You have one of the best facilities we have ever seen when we are touring,” he said.
“You have a fantastic gym, fantastic pitch, and now you have an additional pitch from last year. That is something we have used for goalkeeper preparation.
“And it’s not far from the hotel; it’s just 15 minutes from where we stay in the Crown. We just love it.
“Usually when you travel on tour, it’s not that easy to find perfect training facilities because there’s always something that’s bad like distance. Not here. This is not far off what we have in Milan. This is very close to what we have in Europe in terms of international standards, so it very much fits what all international clubs are looking for.”
This year’s visit is twice as long as the one 12 months ago and was organised well before former Manchester United boss Amorim was appointed Milan head coach in June. Signor Bertarini said any reservations the new man may have had concerning the 13,700km trip were quickly dispelled.
“The plan of coming here was already in place because you have to prepare pre-season much in advance,” he said.
“The new manager arrived, and then when he saw all the training facilities, all the set-up here, I think he was very happy with the result. Yes, it’s a long flight. But when he comes here and sees the great training facilities and set-up, I think everybody is happy with that.
“(Coming for longer) you have more time to prepare a training session, because if you just come for a couple of days, you start and you haven’t got familiar yet and then you need to leave.
“With nine, 10 training days, you can decide if you want to double the session and get very familiar with the set-up and how you want to structure the session.”
A shadow was cast over the tour last Friday when the club announced the passing of Italy and Milan legend Franco Baresi.
With Milan locked into the Inter game followed by a match against Chelsea in Jakarta this weekend, the first-team squad was unable to return home for the funeral, which took place on Tuesday.
Instead, they paid their respects on the day he died, laying a No6 shirt on the Sam Kerr Football Centre turf and observing a minute’s silence. Amorim and captain Matteo Gabbia then laid a wreath next to a mural of Baresi and his former teammate Ruud Gullit, which was painted on the WA Italian Club wall in 2024 when Baresi came to Perth with Milan.
Milan and Inter will also commemorate the great before tonight’s game.
Sig Bertarini said: “That is the saddest news you can have when you are away. Not being able to go to the funeral is something that has saddened everyone, but it was not possible with the commitments we have.
“So what we have to do is remember him and commemorate him in another way. First, the captain and the coach went to the murale and at the match we will commemorate him. That is the best way to do it.”
Tonight’s Milan-Inter game kicks off at 7pm. Tickets are available HERE.
