Jose Altafini has likened AC Milan to an English side as he praised what he saw from Stefano Pioli’s men in the first game of the season against Bologna.
It was certainly a difficult test on paper for a new-look Milan side as they faced off against Thiago Motta’s Bologna at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to kick off the new Serie A campaign after Napoli, Inter and Juventus had all won.
They responded well, winning thanks to two goals inthe opening 21 minutes. The first was scored by Olivier Giroud as he fired in at the far post from Tijjani Reijnders’ first-time feed, and the second saw Giroud set up Christian Pulisic for a rocket of a shot from 20 yards out.
Altafini spoke during an interview with Radio Sportiva and he was asked for his thoughts regarding the start to the season that Milan made, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan.
“I was impressed by Milan. They no longer play the game that made your knees milk [Italian expression meaning bore to death] but they look like an English team. I was impressed by Juventus, Inter are always strong and I also enjoyed seeing Napoli,” he said.
“Enough with the game of tic and toc. They have changed but they have 4-5 very good players and they can still improve. Football is the simplest thing there is. You have to tell Leao not to imitate Ronaldo, that he aims at goal like Osimhen does, that he pays attention.”
Altafini also spoke about some of the strikers aiming to become Capocannoniere winner this season and offered a comment on Giroud.
“Vlahovic’s year was difficult but he’s not a No.9 to discard. Bad times go by but they come back, the class is the class. Osimhen has confirmed himself, Belotti has played little in the past but has regained confidence. Giroud? He can play 89 minutes badly but then he solves the game with one play.
Thsts more of a nativist strawman comment…
The real problem is not just a milan problem, not enough italian players…there are just not enough, strong enough, and they cost way more…..
Nativistic policies are shlt and hide the underlying problem with youth italian football development.
Italians do not cost way more. There are only 7 Italians this season that cost more than €20 milliion, and 3 of those were loan moves that Juve made permanent, one was, of course, Tonali.
What?
He praised us and tell that our style of play is more like English team now, none in his interview he said anything like lack of Italian.
Apakah dia buta? Lihat serangan Bologna yang begitu padu dalam kerjasama dan memulai serangan dalam permainan openplay yang bagus… Hanya kurang beruntung saja mereka tidak membuat goal… Pemain Milan bagus, tapi pelatihnya yang medioker….
This is a translation, right?
I use to remember back when being likened to play ‘like an English team’ (ie. relying on long balls) is actually an insult.