2 days ago
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This summer, AC Milan have undergone a reset. There have been several arrivals and sales, and the impact could be felt immediately.
Looking at last year, there was a constant idea that Milan were greater than the sum of their parts, despite everything showing that they were not. Questions existed and were repeated because there was no proof of the alternative.
So, that is why the Rossoneri have been active this summer. Not out of desire, but purely because it was, and still is, a necessity. A new direction for the club has been found by Igli Tare, whilst Massimiliano Allegri adds experience to the staff.
Scudetto aims?
The goal, as everyone continues to repeat, is the Champions League, that is, the bare minimum it seems. However, no one has mentioned achieving the ceiling, without it being a blanket ‘Milan need to be winning titles’ sort of comment.
Internally, this is probably being requested. Though the same rules do not apply outside, so Billy Costacurta has offered his verdict to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Billy, did you follow the AC Milan debut in the Coppa Italia?
“Yes, and with great attention. The impact was very positive: the team created a lot, and I particularly appreciated their attitude and spirit. I liked them precisely because they seemed to be having fun.
“But I’ve always had a few doubts about this new direction: the right people have been chosen, not just Tare as sporting director and Allegri on the bench, but also the players are the ones needed to get back to playing in the Champions League straight away. At first glance, I see only positive things.”
Among the right players, we can only start with Modric: do you also believe he can still be decisive?
“Someone as successful as him, with that spirit and desire, can always be a winner: it’s no coincidence that two hip movements were enough to make the Milan fans fall in love with him. It took very little to show what he can offer. And San Siro is a stadium unlike any other; it’s exciting even if you’ve played in Madrid for years. And he was; I saw him engaged and impressed by the welcome.
“Playing once a week could help his performances. And on a personal level, I trust Boban, who for thirty years has spoken of Luka as an exceptional person as well as a fantastic champion.”
In between, other high-level purchases were made: your opinion?
“Well done, everyone. I’m a fan of Ricci for his playmaking ability and his ability to get into the box, which he’s shown more in the past than last season. Jashari also has great qualities. And I like the fact that with players like him, it’s superfluous to even talk about formations; in modern football, it makes less sense to “define” players.
“Modric, Ricci, and Jashari are three midfielders who can do everything well. They can set up the ball or get inside, lay off great balls for their teammates, or push forward themselves, taking advantage of their shooting skills. They can switch positions and provide fewer reference points: this, too, was a thoughtful choice.
“I just expect that with such quality, Allegri will want to give the team a game, something Max hasn’t always managed to do. But today’s football is usually going in that direction, and AC Milan will have to follow suit.
With so much quality in the middle, isn’t there also a need for a great striker to finish the play?
“I have faith in the players we already have. Gimenez can be AC Milan’s starting centre forward, but I don’t see any strikers on the market who can raise the bar that much. There’s no need for a bulky centre forward.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they continued with Leao and Pulisic as an attacking duo. They’re both quick players, they can switch between players, and they don’t provide a reference point for the opposition.”
At the start of the season, Milan also had a three-man defence: as a former leader of the department, are you convinced?
“I believe the real change needs to happen here, not up front. I honestly think the new Milan will depend a lot on the performances, both as a team and individually, of the central defenders, whether they’re two or three.
“Under Allegri, the defenders have always improved, and Max will have to do the same this time. If the team hasn’t worked in the last two years, it’s because this defence has been the real disappointment. Tomori can play on the centre-right; despite his poor performances over the last year and a half, he’s potentially the strongest with his pace.
“The others aren’t perfect either; Gabbia was the best. The three-man defence is better at covering mistakes, too. No one player excels; they’re all on the same level, and everyone will have to earn their place. From those who were there and now need to redeem themselves, to De Winter, who seems like a good signing to me.”
Estupinan is also among the new additions. First impressions?
“Not exactly a first impression… I’ve already had the chance to appreciate him at De Zerbi’s Brighton: he has technique, strength, and box-to-box legs. He’s an underrated signing. His defensive performances will certainly be better than those of the last Theo. He won’t be Hernandez up front, but he’s somewhere in between.”
In the end, with so much quality and renewed enthusiasm, isn’t it possible to immediately think about the Scudetto?
“It absolutely must be a goal. The Champions League match will be decisive and tiring for the other teams. Milan isn’t the favourite, but by playing once a week, they can easily join the title race alongside Napoli and Inter.
“It’s no coincidence that Leao already has a different face; in the first few games last year, the team wasn’t so focused. Max brings something different, even in terms of energy. We’ll wait a few more games to better understand whether Allegri’s turnaround can be so clear and incisive right away.”
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