Banega: "Happy with goals and assists"

MILAN – Ever Banega scored the first hat-trick of his professional career against Atalanta this afternoon.

"We knew we were up against a good side," he began, "but right from the off you could see we had approached the game in the right way: five goals in 36 minutes tells you all you need to know about our attitude.

"Kondogbia and Gagliardini acting as shields behind us adds a sense of calm, but all the guys who play give it their all. I didn't think we'd win so big because of the quality of the opposition.

"I preferred my first goal. I got a hat-trick, so did Icardi and Ansaldi played superbly: there'll be a party in Rosario tonight!"