AC Milan’s Chief Football Officer Zvonomir Boban has discussed a number of hot topics at the club currently in a long interview with Radio Anch’io Sport.
The Rossoneri celebrated their 120th birthday at San Siro on Sunday but were not to be given the present of three points as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sassuolo.
The game was far from eventless despite the lack of goals as 38-year-old goalkeeper Gianluca Pegolo produced a number of impressive stops to thwart Milan.
The Diavolo also had a goal controversially disallowed after Franck Kessie was adjudged to have handled the ball before Theo Hernandez’s effort was deflected in.
The result means Milan are stuck in 10th place in the table ahead of a tricky trip to Atalanta before the Christmas break.
Boban spoke on Rai Radio Uno, and his words were transcribed by MilanNews.it.
On yesterday’s draw: “Too bad, we expected a victory, but football is like that. We played an interesting game, Milan did well, but to win in Italy you have to do very well. All the games are like this.
“For many years the fans have been wondering when we will see the great Milan again. Unfortunately it takes so long. We must first return to being a competitive team. Then it is difficult to say when that Milan will return.
“It is right to dream and have these ambitions, we must always think big. We need to take one step at a time.”
On Pioli: “Maldini said something right and true and that is that there is full harmony between coach, club and players. He arrived at a very difficult moment, but in a short time he understood so many things. We are very happy with his work.”
On the market: “We will see how the next games will go. Ibra is a different solution than the others, he is unique, it is one that can give you so much.
“We will see what happens, because Ibra is another thing than all the others, even if he is no longer 28 years old. He is a player of extreme character and personality, he can give the whole environment a direction.”
On the construction of a great team: “Berlusconi had a great project, but he found himself at home with phenomena. He was good and had great collaborators like Galliani and Braida, but that was a different kind of football. Now it takes time and money to back up.
“Berlusconi spent a lot of money and didn’t have much competition around, in addition to the stakes of Financial Fair Play. Obviously this is not to diminish Berlusconi’s work. “
On Ancelotti: “Milan is his home, but right now, to associate the name of Ancelotti with Milan, I find it inappropriate”.
On Rebic: “They are technical choices. He is very fast, but he needs space, Italian football is different from the German one. Against Napoli he was doing well, but he immediately hurt himself.
“He is training seriously and doing everything to convince the coach: Italian football is difficult, many play with the 3-5-2 and therefore he suffers if he has little space.”
On Milan and the big players: “Milan always has a great fascination and will continue to be like this, but we must return to being competitive as soon as possible”.
On the triumphs with Milan: “All very nice. The Scudetto with Zaccheroni was unexpected, the coach has great merits for that success. Berlusconi said he had to play with the playmaker, but Zaccheroni didn’t change until he was sure.”
On Donnarumma: “We hope to find an agreement with Gigio, this is our intention.”
On Inter at the top: “It doesn’t bother us, on the contrary, it’s important that someone fights with Juve. It’s a pity that we’re not, but for Italian football a bit of competition is important. We hope to be in the running for soon the Scudetto.”
Player Ratings: AC Milan 0-0 Sassuolo – Theo explosive, Bennacer error-prone
