Former AC Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini has admitted that Inter are stronger at the moment but Stefano Pioli’s side should believe in a comeback.
Milan will have a mountain to climb in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Inter after losing the first act 2-0 at San Siro. They were rocked by a lightning start as the Nerazzurri scored twice in the first 11 minutes through Edin Dzeko and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Things really threatened to get out of hand from there with the Rossoneri’s defence all at sea, and though there was a second half improvement from Pioli’s men it was not enough to get on the scoresheet.
Albertini spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about what Milan need to do differently in the second leg, remarking that he arrived as a spectator but left as a player having seen such a game unfold in front of him.
“Milan had just lost 2-0 to Inter and I had an incredible desire to take to the field, it’s been a long time since it happened to me. What I would give to be able to play with them on Tuesday’s second leg,” he began.
If you want to play with Calabria and his team-mates, it’s because you believe that a Milan comeback is possible. Correct?
“Yes. It will be difficult, it will be very hard, but it is not impossible. Inter are stronger than Milan, they proved it in all the derbies played in these two seasons, even in those won by Milan.
“But be careful: the Nerazzurri are superior but not unbeatable, because, except in Riyadh, in every derby they have conceded ‘windows’ of vulnerability that Milan can and must take advantage of. It is from this concept that we will have to start again on Tuesday.”
And maybe from a different approach than the one shown at the start in the first leg?
“Absolutely. Well, this is the aspect that most disappointed me about Milan the other night. There are some players in the team who are playing in a Champions League semi-final for the first and perhaps last time in their careers: they must be very aware of what it is about.
“The attitude in the first half against Inter is the furthest away from a match of this level. When you prepare for a match like this, you can’t help but think of conceding a goal in the first few minutes, as happened in Milan with Dzeko: it can happen that you get caught ‘cold’, but the team must continue to do what they have worked on week, otherwise everything collapses.”
Are you sure that this year’s Milan are capable of reacting? When Inter start strong as happened in the 0-2 first leg, the Rossoneri seem unable to find countermeasures…
“I repeat, it’s a matter of attitude. Against Napoli, both at San Siro and at Maradona, Milan were prepared and knew what they were getting into: they suffered, they accepted to suffer the attacks of their opponents but they held up and then struck, without ever losing their bearings.
“It can be done, and Milan have already shown that they know how to do it. I recently re-read Cholo Simeone’s book and there is a passage that I think is appropriate for the Rossoneri: ‘The strongest do not always win, but whoever believes more that what they have prepared this week will lead them to victory’.”
You also played for Atletico Madrid and remained linked to the Colchoneros. However, quoting a former Inter player who coaches with a style of play that is very far from the AC Milan tradition… Isn’t that a bit much?
“But today’s Milan must be aware that they are not at the level of the other semi-finalists. To go to the final in Istanbul, a feat will be needed and the team will have to be willing to suffer.
“Pioli and his friends in the Champions League have been on a journey that no one expected: it’s beautiful but it shouldn’t become an alibi. We need to think we can surprise again.”
How can they come back?
“They lost the first leg in midfield, just as in the same way in the midfield they had overcome Napoli in the two legs in the quarter-finals: everyone remembers Leao’s run, but without the protection in the midfield…”
Bennacer will be missed…
“And it’s a very hard blow, Ismael was fundamental for the balance between midfield and attack. I expect a great response from Tonali: his desire not to give up can and must be contagious on his return.”
Who should play instead of Bennacer? Krunic? De Ketelaere? Pobega?
“Pioli will have to choose based on the fire that he will read in the eyes of the players, he players people who are not afraid. More than a tactician, Pioli will have to be a mental coach.”
With Leao on the pitch, how much do Milan’s chances of a comeback increase?
“Leao makes the difference, in the September derby he showed he can overwhelm even the Inter defenders. And he can clear yards for Hernandez. With Rafa and Theo together, Giroud also got balls into the area.
“But I repeat, the basis is the spirit of sacrifice of the whole group. They will have to go onto the pitch fired up, selfless and composed, knowing that Inter are 2-0 up but that it is only the first half. And that added timealbertini can last up to 120 minutes. I would like to play it, they must feel envied, rather than fear.”
In my whole ,entire life. I always hated to lose to Inter. I passionately hate Inter with every fiber in my being. So for milan to lose to such a club is really hurtful. It baffles me how we fought so hard to be in the semi-finals and just waste it like that 😪
Dont worry, I probably hate inter more than you do and I trust the reds with every cell of my body, but even if we lose the 2nd leg, Inter will be humiliated either by Man City or Real Madrid