Arrigo Sacchi believes that AC Milan now have a number of strong attacking options at their disposal, but that Sergio Conceicao must continue to seek balance.
In many ways it feels like Milan have tried to hit the reset button on things after the summer plans didn’t go as expected. Firstly, at the end of December they fired head coach Paulo Fonseca and then decided to replace him with Sergio Conceicao.
Then, in the winter transfer window the directors listened to the coach and carried out plenty of moves, with five new signings arriving and even more players leaving. Kyle Walker, Santiago Gimenez, Warren Bondo, Joao Felix and Riccardo Sottil all joined to bolster the squad.
Sacchi spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the January business that Milan were able to do, and he thinks that it should raise expectation levels.
Sergio Conceiçao now has more choices in front of him. Does it make it an easier job?
“It is certainly important for a coach to have a greater number of solutions. However, I would like to clearly say that what Milan has lacked so far is style. So it will be up to Conceiçao to give the team a style of play. It is not an easy task, but I believe he can do it.”
Gimenez, Joao Felix, Leao, Pulisic, and then Sottil, Chukwueze, Abraham, Camarda, Jovic. There are a lot of players to manage…
“I hope that the coach has chosen the players, based on technical and human evaluations. If so, then an important step has been taken. Milan must be a protagonist in Serie A, in the Champions League and in the Coppa Italia. It is logical that the squad is large. And in attack there will be more competition, which can be good for some…”
Any particular references?
“Well, Leao will have to wake up. He will no longer be able to play well one game out of three: continuity is a fundamental quality in the repertoire of a champion. In this case, if he is not in the right place, there is someone else ready to take over.
“This means, for Conceiçao, having more solutions, also from a tactical point of view. You can play with an offensive tandem, or with three strikers, or even with a very attacking 4-4-2.”
What do you think of Gimenez and Joao Felix?
“I followed the Mexican in Holland, but I want to see him get to grips with Italian football. He has plenty of numbers. Joao Felix is a great promise that has not been fulfilled so far. He has the technical skills. At Milan, in an environment that makes him feel important, he could find his true dimension.”
In your opinion, how will Conceiçao use the new resources?
“He defends with two lines of four and asks for pressing. He wants to take the initiative away from the opponent, he doesn’t accept being dominated. I think that the abundance in attack can allow him a wise rotation.
“You have to manage your energy and having different elements can help the rotation. If these elements are of a high level, like those of Milan, then the rotation is almost not felt.”
Has Milan’s attack become stronger than Inter’s?
“The Lautaro-Thuram duo is the best in Italy. Of course, the Rossoneri have raised the bar and, above all, they have valid substitutes. But, and I insist on this again, the important thing is that Conceiçao gives the team a style of play.
“When there is style, it is easier for new players to fit in. If, on the other hand, there is no style, you cannot be protagonists.”
Integrating the new players and managing the group is going to be critical. If done correctly it will definitely raise our competitiveness and results…and that includes motivating Theao and what they can offer. I have labored the issue of style, an identity, a culture, that has sorely been missing which affected how we interpret games and get out of sticky situations (ie dealing with low block, creating alternatives to Leao when he is man marked) and neither Fons nor Conc have been successful in that. Sarri would have sorted it out ito a style of play but let’s give Conc a decent chance to work with this group. Forza
Sacchi’s analysis is spot on—Milan has undoubtedly strengthened their squad, but the real challenge lies in integrating these new pieces into a cohesive unit. Conceição has an exciting array of attacking options, but without a defined style of play, talent alone won’t be enough to compete at the highest level. Consistency, tactical balance, and squad management will be crucial. If Milan can develop a clear identity under Conceição, they have the potential to challenge at both domestic and European levels. However, if they fail to establish that structure, they risk being a team with quality individuals but lacking the synergy needed for sustained success.