Former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Ambrosini has spoken about the team’s struggles in the Champions League and also gave his thoughts on how much Rafael Leao is worth.
Ambrosini spoke during an interview with Tuttosport about a number of different topics from the two games against Chelsea to the impact of new signings, and he began by giving his assessment on how Milan are managing early in the new campaign.
“The first part of this season for the Rossoneri is consistent with what happened in the past year: a proactive, courageous team that has never planted itself despite the difficulties of some moments and the mistakes, the few their own and those from others,” he said (via PianetaMilan).
However, the Rossoneri do face a battle to reach the Champions League knockout stages as they sit third in the group with four points and just one win from their opening four games, after finishing bottom of their group last season.
“The return match, at San Siro, with Chelsea must not be considered, we are talking about a match distorted after twenty minutes. Milan missed the match in London, but it can happen that you lose at Stamford Bridge against such a strong rival.
“For the rest, against Salzburg the Rossoneri could have done something more, but that’s the way it is. Pioli’s guys are still masters of their destiny in Europe.”
It is a tough season for Milan because of the expectations that they will compete to defend the Scudetto and potentially win a second star while trying to juggle that against the desire to go further in Europe.
“Are Milan favourites? I don’t like to use this term, I would use a candidate. The Rossoneri in Italy are aware of their strength, in Europe they will have to be more, because they have the opportunity to to do well,” Ambrosini said.
The ex-Fiorentina midfielder was also asked about the impact of some summer recruits and in particular Charles De Ketelaere, who is currently out with a muscle issue but has not set the world alight since his big money move from Club Brugge.
“Milan also need Origi, if we are talking about newcomers, given that Giroud has been pulling the cart up front for some time and the Rossoneri may also need a change of characteristics in attack or a different solution.
“For this reason, I would not only focus on the former Brugge player but the expectations to raise the number of quality players in the team. Of course, De Ketelaere is a prospective player who, in my opinion, has finished his apprenticeship.”
Finally, on if Leao is the most decisive player in Serie A and his value: “Yes, now yes. For the kind of awareness he has taken of himself. And for the effectiveness and concreteness he now puts into his game.
“Is he worth €100m? I don’t like these speeches, let’s just say that he is a player who is worth and will be worth a lot of money. But if Jack Grealish was bought for 117 million by Manchester City…”
