Sacchi highlights instant impact Allegri has made and rates Milan’s Scudetto changes

Arrigo Sacchi has high hopes for AC Milan heading into the season, because Massimiliano Allegri has created a sense of unity.

It has been a summer of big changes for Milan after finishing eighth in the table last season, starting with the appointments of Igli Tare and Allegri as the respective sporting director and head coach to lead the new era.

There has been plenty of player movement too, with the sales of Tijjani Reijnders, Malick Thiaw and Theo Hernandez among others funding signings such as Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci, Pervis Estupinan and Koni De Winter.

‘Excellent at managing the group’

Sacchi gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he previewed the new season, and he spoke about his former club Milan as part of it. MilanPress relayed his comments.

How do you see Milan doing?

“I followed them in preseason. What I liked most was how he [Allegri] was able to bring the team together after last season’s turbulence. Allegri is excellent at managing the group. New players have arrived who need to integrate.

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“I think the basic principle on which the team will be based will be a strong defence and a quick counter-attacks. With players like Leao and Pulisic, you have to do that. And besides, the Rossoneri won’t have European football, a great advantage, as Napoli demonstrated last season.”

Can they fight for the Scudetto?

“They can attempt the feat, but they certainly don’t start out as the favourite. And if they succeeded, it would be quite an achievement, a marvellous and extraordinary event that rarely happens.”