Carlo Ancelotti believes that his former club AC Milan have signed some very interesting players during the summer, but admitted he was sad to see Paolo Maldini leave.
Ancelotti spoke during an interview with Radio Serie A about a number of different topics and a few of them concerned Milan, with his comments relayed by TMW.
It started with a question about whether the Rossoneri have what it takes to go on and win the Champions League, given they reached the semi-finals last year before being beaten by Inter.
“It’s difficult, because in football today the economic aspect is very important. Competing with teams that have greater economic potential than yours is difficult,” he said.
“If you can’t buy the more expensive players you, you have to do much more long-term planning. This year Milan have signed excellent players, improved the quality of the squad, but competing at the highest levels in Europe is difficult.”
Ancelotti has welcomed Brahim Diaz back into the fold after three years on loan with Milan where he became a started under Stefano Pioli and certainly developed.
“I found him physically improved, he’s much meaner, much more powerful. The experience at Milan was very useful for him.”
Naturally, Carlo was also asked about his former team-mate Paolo Maldini who was sacked from his role as the technical director over the summer with the management preferring to go in a different direction.
“The AC Milan fan is inevitably fond of Paolo Maldini, especially an AC Milan fan like me who had him as captain as a coach. His departure from the club brings disappointment, but obviously Milan goes on.
“The regret remains that a bandiera like him will move away from Milan. His future will be decided by him, but due to the knowledge he has and the experience that Maldini has and the seriousness that Maldini has, he can do everything in the world of football.”
Finally, Ancelotti gave an anecdote regarding Silvio Berlusconi who he played and managed under.
“He was a great innovator, I met him when I arrived at Milan, he was a great motivator and a vision that no one had. He has always been very close to me, the experience with him both as a player and as a coach was fundamental for me.”
