Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has revealed that he could no longer watch after seeing Fikayo Tomori get sent off against Chelsea, and he recommended a striker signing to the club.
Albertini gave an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) during which he talked about a number of different topics from Milan’s struggles in the Champions League since their return last season to the incident that shaped Tuesday night’s game.
He was asked about the Gran Galà del Calcio awards organised in collaboration with AIC, which next Monday will recognise the best players of the last Serie A season, and Milan are well represented from Pioli and Leao, plus Theo Hernandez and Tomori. Yet in the Champions League, the Rossoneri still seem lacking.
“Milan are among the youngest teams in the Champions League, many of Pioli’s players lack the experience of playing internationally,” he began.
Wasn’t the experience of the past season – with an iron group and top-level opponents – enough to strengthen the squad?
“International matches should not only be counted, they must be weighed. Attendance and minutes are one thing, the target for which you play is far from it: it is when you play to win, to make your way to the end, that you are able to sustain certain comparisons and to fight with the strongest teams. Milan will get there, they are experiencing a growth process, as has happened to them in recent years in Italy.”
But the Rossoneri seem to go at a different speed…
“And rhythm is the other factor that marks the difference between our teams and those of the Premier, LaLiga, Bundesliga. In Serie A football is played slower, less dynamic: Milan go against the grain, but in the Champions League, when you cross a team like Chelsea, you pay for it.”
The major talking point of the game against Chelsea came in the 18th minute as Siebert pointed to the penalty spot and showed Tomori a red card after adjudging him to have hauled back Mount, even though the midfielder managed to get his shot away.
“I wasn’t at the stadium, I was watching it on TV. When I saw the referee whistle that penalty and expel Tomori I changed the channel. Football is a contact sport, that there was no foul is also shown by the fact that Mount has ended the action and shot,” Albertini said.
“An unequivocal mistake by the referee cannot ruin a match in this way, it’s a shame because I am convinced that Milan could have won. Having said that, fate is still in the hands of the Rossoneri.”
What is missing to make the leap in quality also in Europe?
“First of all, the team must not lose the selflessness that allowed them to win the Scudetto. Pioli maybe corrects something, like between home and away games against Chelsea, but it does not change the approach of his team between Serie A and Champions League, and does well.
“With a little more experience, Milan will certainly be able to raise the level in Europe as well. I think the recipe for winning even outside the Italian borders is this: to continue following the path of growth that coach and players they are carrying on without distorting themselves, and progressively inserting great players.”
Maldini said he was confident about Leao’s renewal…
“For Leao, a fundamental rule applies on the market: you can make a mistake in buying, but you cannot make a mistake in selling. Milan have been able to replace Donnarumma, a world-class number one, with Maignan who has proved extraordinary, but in this moment it is tough to find a footballer around with Leao’s ability. He, Tonali and De Ketelaere are the future of the team.”
How can Maldini improve the squad available to Pioli?
“With a striker within reach of the club’s coffers, but capable of making a difference immediately. Giroud is not eternal, the same goes for Ibra. Maybe talents that don’t find space in the big names, as Juve did at the time with Morata. I’m thinking of Chelsea’s Broja, for example.”
Hope like albertini said a striker within the clubs coffers hope they get brereton from blackburn very physical and 1.88 cm plus his finishing and pace awesome another bonus his contract ends in june 2023.