Milan Škriniar


Milan Škriniar is a Slovak professional footballer who plays centre-back for Italian football club Inter Milan and the Slovak national team. He was named Slovakia's best U21 player for 2016, receiving the Peter Dubovský Award.

Club career

MŠK Žilina

Škriniar began his career in the youth structures of FK Žiar nad Hronom, before joining the youth setup of MŠK Žilina at age 12. He made his official Slovak Super Liga debut for the first team on 27 March 2012 aged 17 years and 49 days, in a match against ViOn Zlaté Moravce. On 23 November 2012 he scored his first goal in the Corgoň Liga against ViOn which MŠK Žilina won 4–1.

Loan to FC ViOn Zlaté Moravce

He was loaned to ViOn Zlaté Moravce in February 2013, to gain more first-team experience.

Sampdoria

On 29 January 2016, Sampdoria announced the signing of Milan Škriniar on a four-and-half year contract. He made his debut in a 2–1 home victory over Lazio in late April. During the next season Škriniar played a key role for Marco Giampaolo's Blucerchiati, finishing the campaign as the youngest defender to have made at least 35 appearances in Serie A.

Inter Milan

On 7 July 2017, Škriniar completed a transfer to fellow Serie A side Inter Milan signing a five-year contract. The club paid a reported fee around €20 million and also included the striker Gianluca Caprari. The transfer made Škriniar the most expensive Slovak player of all time. He was presented four days later and received squad number 37, stating: "It's amazing to think that in 18 months I've gone from the Slovakian league to playing for a club like Inter."
Škriniar made his competitive debut for the club on 20 August in the opening matchday of 2017–18 Serie A versus Fiorentina as Inter won 3–0 at San Siro. He scored his first Serie A goal later on 16 September against Crotone, the opener in the 82nd minute with a right-footed shot in an eventual 2–0 away win to keep Inter's winning streak. His second of the campaign came in matchday 10 against his former side Sampdoria on 24 October, netting again the opener as Inter won 3–2.
Škriniar was distinguished for his performances in the first part of the season, being one of the best players of the squad. He continued with his great performances even in the second part of the season, which proved clinical for the team, which returned to UEFA Champions League after six years. He concluded the season by playing in all 38 matches in league, receiving only two yellow cards.
In the 2018–19 season, Škriniar made his debut in the UEFA Champions League on 18 September in the opening group stage match against Tottenham Hotspur, playing full-90 minutes in a 2–1 comeback win at San Siro. On 2 November 2019, in a Serie A match against Bologna which ended in a 2–1 away win, Škriniar made his 100th appearances in all competitions for Inter, all of them as starter.

International career

Škriniar represented various Slovak youth teams, and made his debut for the Slovakia senior squad in a friendly 3–1 win over Georgia on 27 May 2016. By the end of the year, he was a part of a number of different games and became a notable part of the squad in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification, usually playing as a defensive midfielder.
After the international retirement of Ján Ďurica in November 2017, Škriniar took his place as a centre-back partner to Martin Škrtel in the national team, even directing Slovak defence in Škrtel's absences.

Ján Kozák's resignation incident

Škriniar was nominated for a double fixture against Czech Republic and Sweden on 13 October and 16 October 2018, respectively. Škriniar played throughout each entire game, but was involved in the controversy that had led to resignation of Ján Kozák, then Slovakia's longest-serving and most successful coach, who introduced Škriniar to the national team in 2016.
Škriniar violated the code of conduct of national team player, along with Martin Dúbravka, Michal Šulla, Norbert Gyömbér, Ľubomír Šatka, Vladimír Weiss and Stanislav Lobotka. On the night of 13 October 2018, after a loss in Slovakia's second UEFA Nations League fixture and a derby match against Czech Republic, they left the hotel and went out, missed the bedtime and violated the wellness policy, regarding regeneration and rehabilitation. They were allegedly noticed by Ján Kozák at about midnight, admitting to the incident and apologising the next day. Ján Kozák resigned from the national team in the afternoon of 14 October, revealing the details of his decision in a press conference on 18 October, to avoid distractions during the preparation for the fixture against Sweden, that was managed by his former assistant Štefan Tarkovič on a caretaker basis. Kozák cited his inability to work with the squad under such conditions as the primary reason, as about a third of the squad was involved, including players Kozák described as crucial for the future of Slovak football, with Škriniar among them. The President of SFZ, Ján Kováčik, said that the players will be punished by not receiving any financial rewards for any future nominations and performances in the national team during the upcoming qualification cycle.
Only hours before the incident, Škriniar and Lobotka in particular faced criticism from Kozák during a post-match press conference, who described their performance as poor and commented on the need for these highly valued players, worth millions, to take responsibility, instead of relying on other more experienced players, like Martin Škrtel and Marek Hamšík.
On 19 October, SFZ published a common statement of Škriniar and Lobotka, accepting Kozák's criticism as normal and justified, although disagreeing with the comments about their value and transfer rumours. They apologised to the fans, the FA and their teammates, although claiming that they understand that no apology is sufficient enough. They also accepted the sanctions and expressed hope for continued support of the national team.

Style of play

Škriniar has been described as a defender who is "a strong tackler who is quick to make clearances". A natural centre-back, he can also be deployed as a defensive midfielder where he also produced outstanding performances with under-21 side. His former youth manager said of him: He has always been the leader on and off the pitch. He has been described in the media as the successor to former Liverpool icon Martin Škrtel in Slovakia's defensive line. He has also drawn praise from several Italian pundits for his positional sense, as well as his ability in the air, and in one on one situations.

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

MŠK Žilina
Slovakia
Individual