Fabio Capello has praised AC Milan and head coach Stefano Pioli after the win against Newcastle United on Wednesday night, but also stressed that Monza on Sunday will be a potentially tough game.
Milan are going through a strange moment after their elimination from the Champions League and their recent struggles in the league, but also following the victory against Newcastle at St. James’ Park which meant they stay in Europa.
The main objective for Pioli and the team is now to get back on track in the league following the 3-2 defeat against Atalanta last time out, because finishing inside the top four positions is a minimum requirement and it must be less stressful than last season.
Fabio Capello talked about Milan today in La Gazzetta dello Sport, reflecting after the Rossoneri secured an impressive comeback win against Newcastle and looking ahead to the Lombard derby at the weekend.
“The Serie A match of the weekend that intrigues me the most is the lunchtime match between Milan and Monza. On the one hand I would like the Rossoneri to be the ones from the last 25 minutes in Newcastle, on the other I’m curious to see Palladino’s team,” he began.
“Monza plays good football, they have courage, they always play the ball forward. It won’t be easy for Pioli, who however was intelligent in the last Champions League match, giving up playing man to man and lining up almost as a zone, and then taking advantage of the physical decline of the English side.
“The Milan of the closing stages against Newcastle can and must have great ambitions in Italy and in the Europa League, but playing on Thursday could become a problem. However, the victory at St. James’ Park has another positive aspect: it can make the players, and I am especially referring to the new ones, understand that they are strong.
“It gives them confidence, after in some matches it seemed to me that they were playing with a bit of fear, doing their homework, without risking the most difficult pass. Now Leao will also be back at full capacity, regaining confidence the Rossoneri can hope to recover points or at least keep their pursuers away with a view to qualifying for the next Champions League.”
