AC Milan vice president and former captain Franco Baresi believes that the club must ‘aim for the maximum’ in the Scudetto chase as he discussed a number of key figures at the club.
Baresi spent his entire 20-year career with Serie A club Milan, captaining the club for 15 seasons and is considered one of the greatest defenders of all-time. With Milan, he won three UEFA Champions League titles, six Serie A titles, four Supercoppa Italiana titles, two European Super Cups and two Intercontinental Cups.
Baresi gave an interview in today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport and spoke about the Scudetto race among other subject, with his comments transcribed by MilanNews.
“A possible comeback? Let’s see, there’s Inter in front I think Milan must continue to aim for the maximum, it is part of our history. We know that for the Scudetto it does not depend only on us, in the meantime we continue to win with the same spirit as Florence, we have given a good signal,” he said.
“Milan and Inter are two different teams. The game is the distinctive feature that has characterised our season: Milan are proactive, their victories are based on quality as the history of this club says. Let’s go on the pitch with courage, sometimes maybe risking something, but always with the desire to create more than others, and the results are rewarding Pioli.”
Fikayo Tomori has climbed the rankings to the satisfaction of the fans, but also the internal hierarchies, becoming a strong point of Pioli’s team. The Englishman forms a perfect pairing with the experienced Kjaer, who seems to be rejuvenated – and multiple reports are claiming that are Milan aiming to keep them together by signing Tomori permanently.
“He is imposing himself with great determination and talent. He arrived in a league he did not know and faced it without fear. They are the qualities of a potential champion, we hope he keeps his promises. If he stays at Milan? We will do everything possible to redeem him, even if there are two more months to play and it won’t just depend on Milan,” Baresi said.
Finally, Baresi also spoke about the future of two players who are on expiring contracts, namely Gianluigi Donnarumma and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“Wearing the AC Milan captain’s armband at 22 is a privilege, you must know this. We know Gigio’s value and qualities, he grew up here , and we know how important it could be for Milan over the next few years.
“Ibra? He no longer amazes me. On the contrary, there is one thing: those tears in front of the cameras, he is a boy with a heart. If I would like him by my side as a manager? (laughs). I’m just saying there’s time to change roles. I hope to see him another year on the pitch, he’s a force of nature.”
