Costacurta discusses Milan’s Scudetto hopes, Maldini’s stay, Dybala and De Ketelaere

By Oliver Fisher -

Former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta has revealed his belief that the Rossoneri are not inferior to Inter and Juventus, and also encouraged a couple of signings.

The Rossoneri won their first league title for 11 years in the 2021-22 campaign despite not being considered as the favourites for the vast majority of the season. Ultimately a run of six straight wins to end the season was enough to earn the Scudetto.

The challenges heading into 2022-23 are obvious as Milan must try to defend their status as the champions of Italy while also going further in the Champions League and also aiming to end a Coppa Italia drought which is approaching two decades.

Former Milan captain Costacurta gave an interview with il Corriere della Sera during which he spoke about the battle for supremacy going into the new season, with his comments relayed by SempreMilan.it.

On Inter being favourites: “Last year there was a greater balance between the various suitors, especially considering the sales of Lukaku and Hakimi. In the race there were also Napoli and Atalanta. Now before entrusting labels as a favourite I would wait to see how the market evolves considering that in these hours Di Maria and Pogba will arrive in Turin [and sign for Juventus].”

On Milan: “The team that won in May is not the same team that started the season. On a collective and individual level, through experience and awareness, Milan has had an exponential growth. After the Scudetto they are a stronger team, with more certainties. Can they be considered inferior to Inter and Juve at the moment? In my opinion, no, for what they demonstrated on the pitch they can give an encore.”

On Dybala: “It seems to me that, of all the contenders, Inter is the one where he is least needed. In Europe you cannot afford a formation with Lukaku, Lautaro and Dybala together. He would be more useful for Milan and Napoli: if he were consistent he would be decisive.”

On De Ketelaere being reading: “Absolutely yes. He is young but already experienced. He played in the Champions League, he has quality. He would be perfect, he would also help his team-mates to grow.”

On Maldini: “I’ve never been worried, I was sure he would stay. Let us remember that the delay was mainly caused by the corporate sale. Perhaps his demands were excessive for an Anglo-Saxon fund, I don’t know, but no one can be so stupid as to want to send him away.”

Tags AC Milan alessandro costacurta Charles De Ketelaere Paolo Maldini Paulo Dybala
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