Former AC Milan head coach Fabio Capello believes that a third-placed finish in Serie A this season would constitute a failure, given the quality of the squad available.
Milan are eight points behind Inter – who have a game in hands – but also 11 points above Roma in fifth place which means that the second half of the league season could be quite dull.
Stefano Pioli’s Milan are firmly in third place in a very fluctuating Serie A season which has had a lot of ups and downs, and crucially too many dropped points to mount a serious Scudetto push.
A Coppa Italia quarter-final exit to Atalanta saw another trophy chance vanish, while the Rossoneri will go as far as possible in the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group.
For Capello, who was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the idea of celebrating a third-placed finish is something that should not even come into the minds of the leadership.
Milan are currently the most certain team of their destiny. The Scudetto is a mirage, the threats far behind them…
“Milan cannot think of racing for third place. I remember my fourth year, when we finished fourth, 13 points behind Juventus: the club didn’t accept that position in the standings.
“This Milan came from a Scudetto and a strange season, with the semi-final of the Champions League and fourth place achieved due to Juve’s problems.
“And they carried out a significant summer transfer campaign, I think. There are many points separating them from the leaders.”
Comeback impossible?
“I overcame Barcelona with Real but there was only one team in front… and it fell asleep. Here Milan has two teams in front.”
However, the squad is inferior to that of Inter, don’t you think? And how do you evaluate it in relation to that of Juventus?
“Inter is out of sight in terms of the value of the squad. However, for me Milan have a superior team to Juve. In short, they have the second-best squad in the league.”
What was the problem then?
“Several players signed took a long time to integrate, to understand Italian football. Then the injuries, which must be highlighted. ‘Warum’, they would say in Germany. Why?”
Exactly, why?
“It’s not for me to say. I don’t know how many responsibilities the trainer has, whether they worked too much or too little, whether they went to play matches on tour instead of preparing.
“I’ll just say one thing: the incidence of certain muscular problems makes you think.”
The AC Milan fans are already discussing the coach for next season. What would you do?
“I won’t answer a question like this about a coach, but you can see that now the players are integrated… and in this you can see the hand of the coach. I expect the results in the next few months.”
So do you see clear progress thanks to Pioli?
“I see clear progress, yes. If the penalties are missed…”
Let’s talk about individuals. Who have been the best this season for you? Who impressed you?
“Theo Hernandez had a unique personality as a central defender. He thrilled me with a humility that I thought he didn’t have. Loftus-Cheek has shown he has a sense of inclusion. I liked them more than anyone.”
Leao?
“Leao has crazy qualities but now he is a bit confused. Of course, even in the confusion it is almost always he who comes up with the ace and solves the games.
“If nothing else, the opponents against him must move the entire defence to one side…”
Milan sacrificed Tonali last year to revolutionise the team. Between Leao, Theo and Maignan, the big names of this team, who would you sacrifice if necessary?
“Great question with a great answer: the coach knows it. I think that a coach can lose a key player, a strong point, only if he knows that two reinforcements will arrive to solve two problems.
“The difficulty, however, is another. Finding the players who make the difference. In my opinion, Milan cannot make signings hoping that they will grow over time.
“Milan must take guaranteed players who will change the team. Look at Inter. Inter spends money in another way.”
If you don’t want to name a name, can you tell us what type of player you would immediately buy for Milan? A No.9 like everyone thinks?
“A midfielder who takes charge of the team, a player with personality to put at the centre of everything.
“Inter win their matches with the midfield, it is in that area of the pitch that makes the difference. And Rabiot is also fundamental for Juve.”
And the centre-forward?
“I have great respect for Giroud, for what he has given and for what he is giving, but given his age…”
So where did Milan go wrong?
“Milan had Calhanoglu, Kessie, Bennacer and Tonali. That was the strongest midfield in Italy and Milan had it at home. There’s almost no one left.”
