Ambrosini reminisces on Allegri’s first Milan spell and nostalgia feeling: “The good times”

Ambrosini, what do you remember about the 2010-11 version of Allegri, his first experience with a top club?

“He had great enthusiasm and a genuine ability to integrate with the dressing room. On the eve of his arrival, this could have been the unknown factor, but instead he did not impose himself in an abnormal way, but spontaneously. Still showing his personality.”

With him on the bench and Ibrahimovic on the pitch, you won the Scudetto at the first attempt…

“Ibra’s arrival brought excitement to the Milan world, but not to Allegri, who, although happy, never lost his composure. I remember that when the Gazzetta announced that the deal was almost done, with the newspaper in my hand in the locker room, I asked him if the news was true. He answered yes with composure and without exaltation. I, on the other hand, had shivers…”

Thanks to this balance and his tactical moves, Max has established himself in a group of champions…

“Allegri had the ability to make classy players coexist, from Seedorf to Boateng, from Ibra to Robinho. He found the right key to make everyone perform at their best and to obtain sacrifices for the cause. Then, however, I do not forget that the arrival in January of Cassano and Van Bommel, when Pirlo and I were injured, were important.”

“It is the greatest of banalities and, at the same time, the greatest of truths. Talking about future prospects, with two months of transfers ahead, is impossible, but Milan will have to aim high. If there is one thing that has been missing for too long, it is the ambition to excel. And if you wear the Rossoneri shirt, you must at least aspire to excel. At all times.

“You can’t always win, but none of the components can ignore the obsession of wanting to do so”.

Is he also promoting Igli Tare as the new DS?

“Tare knows football and footballers, he works on the field and has many years of experience behind him. He is a down-to-earth guy who doesn’t sell smoke.”

Photos by AC Milan

And Ricci, the first purchase?

“A good player and a promising young man, who has the right attitude and will. Milan needs geometry in the middle of the pitch, and for me he, with two quality and inventive midfielders, can be an ideal playmaker for the passing game.”

And where does Modric see him?

“He can also play as a playmaker in front of the defence, in certain games or moments, especially at San Siro, but Max looks for quality in the mezzali and I wouldn’t be surprised if the Croatian played there.”