Demetrio Albertini has urged his former club AC Milan to sign more experienced players in the summer, and denied rumours of a rift with Pippo Inzaghi.
Albertini is widely considered as one of the legends of the great Milan side of the 1990s, and he won many trophies during his 14-year spell with the Rossoneri including five Serie A titles and two UEFA Champions League titles.
The glory days of the 90s feel like a long time ago now, and the 48-year-old former midfielder believes that a lack of balance in the current squad between youth and experience has a big part to play in the team’s recent struggles.
Albertini spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport on the Coronavirus issue and on the future of his former club Milan, with his words transcribed by MilanLive.
Among the first topics of discussion is yesterday’s attack on Filippo Inzaghi, during which he branded the Benevento boss as ‘ignorant’ for his claims that the season needs finishing.
“I have not quarrelled, we are friends and I have no problems with Pippo,” Albertini said.
“Health is the priority. I too would like to go back to playing, I too would like to leave the house today, indeed yesterday.
“By April we will have to understand whether to play or freeze. But now the priority is the restart. Health, organization, then watch out for the economic situation: the very serious conditions in Italy will have repercussions on the companies of the presidents and from there on those of the clubs.
“In my opinion, Milan is very confused. On one side there is a friend [Maldini] and on the other a person, Gazidis, whom I met a few times. I think Milan have lost a valid element, but it is like in a locker room: if there are many champions, many heads who don’t get along, it is useless to look for guilt.
“It is not that someone has made a mistake, in the end the season has been bad and the one who loses is Milan. Now you need a clear sporting project, starting from scratch every year is not necessary. If Milan is just an economic project, then say it.
“Investing in the Primavera is right, but young players in Italy are not enough. Experiences players are needed to raise young players and I say this for life. Young people cannot have continuity.
“And then you have to create a sense of belonging. Italian clubs need Italians: I’m talking about AC Milan, but also about Juventus or Inter, which happened to have Sensi and Barella.”
