Ricardo Kaka believes that the derby against Inter provides the perfect opportunity for AC Milan to remind everyone of their capabilities after a dreadful recent run of form.
Milan come into the Derby della Madonnina hoping to secure the league double over Inter, but they have not won in their last six games and have lost their last three games 3-0 (against the Nerazzurri in the Supercoppa), 4-0 (against Lazio) and 5-2 (against Sassuolo on Sunday).
Milan’s legendary No.22, was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport and he spoke about the current moment that Milan find themselves in heading into one of the biggest games in world football, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
He also spoke about some of the young talents that Milan have on their hands such as the reigning Serie A MVP Rafael Leao in addition to Charles De Ketelaere, who plays the same position as Kaka did but is struggling to adapt.
On the derby against Inter: “The many goals conceded in the last few games will weigh on Milan, but there’s always a derby to recover. We need to take advantage of an important opportunity to restart. I expect a balanced game. Milan have nothing less of Inter, despite the recent negative results.”
On how to recover: “Thinking that the evening is special and something special needs to be done. I repeat, I expect a balanced match. And Milan wins 2-1. A derby is ideal for recovery.”
On Inter’s strengths: “Lautaro. The title of world champion gives you a good dose of extra conviction.”
On those of Milan: “I still say Leao. Someone who can change any game”.
On Leao: “A fantastic player, I like him a lot. If he considers Italian football as a stepping stone, it’s best to leave, it’s the right time. I would advise him to stay, because I don’t consider Italian football a stepping stone. And sometimes leaving Milan is not a good idea.”
On his experience at Real Madrid compared to Leao: “A different environment, but I don’t like comparisons. I think Leao should consider all the possibilities. Milan are giving him a lot. In Qatar, where I was a commentator for BeIN Sport, I met Galliani and we talked for a long time. He says that Serie A is now a step, then the players go elsewhere.
“I find it hard to think of it this way, for me the Italian league remains very tough for a striker, and I don’t feel like considering it a minor league, despite the different economic potential. In Italy I learned a lot and I became what the fans remember me after.”
One piece of advice to De Ketelaere: “Enjoy the situation and make the most of the opportunities Milan gives him.”
On the comparison with De Ketelaere: “He doesn’t look like me and I don’t like comparisons. They only put pressure on the boys, especially if they arrive at the top clubs. I would tell De Ketelaere to be calm.
“Even my second year, the first six months of the season, they were very difficult. The opponents know you, they took your measures… It’s all different. You need calm. The advice of your more experienced team-mates will be useful to him as it was to me.”
On Sacchi and young Milan: “I don’t believe in this thesis. These guys withstood the pressure even in the first year, when there was something to win after so many years, and they were helped by the more experienced players. By now even the younger ones are used to If you play for Milan, you know how it works.”
On Napoli: “Impressive, above all for the consistency. The other top teams had missteps”
On Cristiano Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic: “I think his idea is to say goodbye by playing. I understand that, because he’s really special. Players like him bring a simple concept to the team: winning is not like losing.
“I have the impression that for many young players if you win well, you lose patience. It’s not like that. I remember the example of Paolo Maldini: he had won four Champions League and wanted the fifth. These characters make the difference, Zlatan with his mentality can still be useful.”
On the Juventus case: “What happens to Juve is bad for all of Italian football. I hope they recover soon, they are an important club in Europe too and have many fans. I really hope they get out of it quickly. We have lived through a moment different in 2006, taking penalties during the league is difficult to manage.”
On a future internship at Monza: “Why not? Galliani would be an excellent teacher, I also spoke to him in Qatar. You can learn a lot from him. Above all, Italian football is always alive, and with the protagonists of Serie A it will always be necessary.”
On the comparison with De Ketelaere: “He doesn’t look like me and I don’t like comparisons”
The man himself has spoken. Only intoxicated fans made this comparison only by seeing his Youtube HL and his debut match.
Honestly, of all the players we were linked with, CdK’s YouTube compilation is the one that impressed me the least. I watched several compilations but I didn’t see anything spectacular compared to Adli, Amine Adli, Romain Faivre and the rest. I don’t really trust CdK but I do trust the one who thought chasing him was gonna be worth it.
Damn, wouldn’t like to say this, but I felt the exact same way. I still hopeful though, there’s something beyond ordinary that Maldini (& Co.) seeing from this boy.
The kind of player I think he can aspire to be is the prime Guti. The elegance, the passing, the vision, slightly remind me of Guti. And don’t get me wrong, the prime Guti is sublime.
Kaka excellent pointed: if Leao calculate like Kessie; it is better to reject contract and leave in summer.
The same thing apply for management, if they can’t sign player: sell for any fee.
CDK just like suso. He don’t have the quality to be come next kaka.
Oh how I miss this guy 🥺. Oh how we need him now.