Claudio Raimondi of SportMediaset was one of the journalists on the sidelines during AC Milan’s win over Spurs in the Champions League last night.
He gave an interview with MilanNews in which he spoke about a number of different topics from his opinions on different players to the prospects for the future, starting with Saturday’s game against Monza.
“I was lucky enough to attend many important matches, both in the Champions League and in the World Cup, but the Rossoneri version of the San Siro remains unbeatable: it is truly, not only in the sector of organised support, something that has created the conditions for raising one’s level. Everyone was impressed. Milan have an advantage: this passionate support that helps in difficulties,” he began.
One of the brightest players on the pitch was Theo Hernandez who responded to his doubters with a fantastic performance, beating Cristian Romero almost every time and having a big hand in the only goal.
“When Theo turns, Milan turns. Now he’s back to creating the conditions for a synergy with Leao, despite this module penalising the overlaps a bit. Now Theo is back Theo and this leaves Pioli calm,” Raimondi said.
Sandro Tonali has also drawn praise for what was an energetic performance but also a disciplined one as he and Rade Krunic shielded the defence well.
“Tonali is changing the way he plays. Pioli’s request – he often told him yesterday – is to stay in front of the defence. His vocation is to disengage, to run in behind, but with this new formation he has a lot more defensive tasks. And he did this yesterday, he was one more barrier. I expect him to be more of a midfielder, less of a forward.”
Malick Thiaw might well be the hottest name at the moment after two sensational starts in a row including last night in his Champions League debut, in which he got man of the match in our ratings.
“Great respect and great trust for Thiaw, but why did it take so long to trust him? He seems to me to have physical and technical abilities, he gives confidence… in the difficulties of the season why not try him first? That’s the only regret. He’s an asset and I think it will have more and more chances.”
Charles De Ketelaere came off the bench and almost got his first goal in the biggest game of the season, but what was the reaction from the Rossoneri bench to his missed header?
“The reaction was one of immediate encouragement. The gist is not to get depressed, not to get overwhelmed by disappointment for the wrong goal. I believe that by now there is a studied growth path: he has all the time, with clips, relays and a few games as a starter, to adapt and he too became aware of it.”
Raimondi believes that the return leg will be heavily influenced by what happens between now and March 8.
“It will depend on the state of form of the two teams as of 8 March. Given that Milan can no longer aim for the Scudetto, should there be a consolidation of their placement in the Champions League and the recovery of players like Florenzi, Maignan, Bennacer and Tomori, they prepare for the London challenge in the best possible way.”
Maldini spoke to Mediaset about having a meeting with Cardinale, what did they say?
“They certainly said that the market line will not deviate from that of the old owners, also because Cardinale’s priority is the stadium and an eventual effort will be made there. Maldini will have expressed his reasons, but it is certain that the line will he will be close to building a Milan without pre-made champions, but with future ones instead.”
What sensations did Maldini give about the renewal of Leao?
“He replied that the will is the same as before, if there were negative indications he would have made it clear. In my opinion, there remains a good percentage on the success of the renewal, but it is clear that Milan now still have to make assessments on the Champions League position as now there is a little more uncertainty.
“The parties will continue with the dialogue, but I think the dialogue will come to life when Milan have a good gap on fifth place which will allow the club to make more certain reasoning on the revenues deriving from the Champions League.”
