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Cristian Brocchi believes that AC Milan are a solid team under Massimiliano Allegri, but they are missing a key player.
Brocchi was at Milan as a youngster but left due to a lack of opportunities, even heading to city rivals Inter. It was from there that he returned to the red and black side of the city, where he spent seven seasons aside from a season on loan with Fiorentina.
With Milan the midfielder won Serie A and two UEFA Champions League titles among other major honours. He would spend the last five seasons of his career at Lazio, winning the Coppa Italia twice. So, in short, he knows what it takes to win.
Milan a ‘potential Scudetto winner’
Brocchi gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport which was published in this morning’s edition, and he summed up the current moment for both of his former sides coming into the game.
What kind of match are you expecting?
“It’ll be a great match because it’ll be two teams that are trying to play and not wait for their opponents. Fiorentina aren’t in a good position in the league, but they didn’t deserve to lose against Roma and were left… with the goal conceded in injury time against Cagliari. They’ve dropped too many points and haven’t found the right direction yet. Unlike Milan.”
Were you more surprised by Fiorentina’s poor performance or Milan’s excellent start?
“By Fiorentina. In the first few days of the season, the Viola showed some good play, but Kean was unlucky and didn’t have a hot foot. Furthermore, they conceded too many goals from set pieces: they impacted the results and sapped their self-confidence and confidence. The team is good, better than their position in the table.”
Three points after six games…
“With a little more luck, they could have been seven: a win against Cagliari was within reach, and draws against Como and Roma were possible. With the arrival of a coach like Pioli, the team’s expectations have increased and the bar for results has been raised.
“There are different tactical ideas than last season, and the team hasn’t quite got along with the coach: some poor readings of the players have weighed heavily.”
Is it more complicated for Pioli to have Kean who isn’t at his best or for Allegri to give up Pulisic?
“Pulisic is the team’s top scorer, but Allegri has Leao… Kean has a significant impact on Fiorentina, and even though I like Piccoli and he has a great future, having Moise is crucial for Pioli.”
Did you expect Allegri to have such an impact so quickly?
“Yes, and before the season started, I said that Milan was a potential Scudetto winner for three reasons: first, Allegri, after a year out, has shaken off the negative effects of the last few difficult seasons at Juventus and is eager to get back into the game.
“Second, playing only in the league helps a lot when you’re a top-tier team; third, Milan has a strong squad that, thanks to the transfer market, has been restructured from midfield up. If they had a better defender…”
On the other hand, he has Modric…
“I’m not surprised he’s had this impact because he’s a wonderful player who has achieved important victories in his career: you don’t win a Ballon d’Or, luckily… His career has been a succession of top seasons, 12 in a row at Real Madrid…
“He’s one of the few players I would have liked to see in my Milan: even now, many have important technical skills, but he combines these with the character and human depth of an absolute champion.”
What’s missing for Leao to be worthy of the ‘old Milan’?
“Rafa is strong and must understand that he can get wherever he wants because he has above-average quality. He’s someone who wins matches, but in a team context where everyone works for their team-mate and sacrifices themselves with extra pace, he must make himself available to others.”
Milan can aim for the Scudetto. What about Fiorentina?
“A place in Europe. Expectations have dropped at the start of the season, but Roma’s comeback last year is a lesson. Pioli won a Scudetto he shouldn’t have won at Milan, and he’s had a significant apprenticeship behind him. He’s good and will do well.”
English (US) ·