Former AC Milan head coach Arrigo Sacchi has spoken in his weekly column about the 1-0 win against Fiorentina at San Siro yesterday afternoon.
Sacchi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about Milan’s victory against Fiorentina and the blow-for-blow Scudetto fight with Inter, and his comments were relayed by our colleagues at SempreMilan.it.
“Was it an extra step for Pioli’s team? Absolutely yes. I was moved to hear the enthusiasm that the Rossoneri fans had. They dragged the team, which is a collective that is really doing something extraordinary,” he said.
“The relationship between them and some teams, in the relationship of the economic balance sheets is too different. Inter have a much superior individual quality, experience and technique.”
A lot of fans and pundits have remarked that Inter are superior in quality and therefore not winning the Scudetto would be a failure for them, while Sacchi commented on the edge that the Rossoneri have over their city rivals.
“Something that is little known in Italian football: the collective. Milan are one of the teams that comes closest to international football, we still remained at a popular national level. They are doing something extraordinary as Atalanta did,” he said.
Sacchi is a man who knows what it takes to win the league and he was questioned on what can be expected from the upcoming games, as many feel the Nerazzurri have a much easier schedule on paper.
“Fiorentina are one of the teams that know pressing. Even Inter did not have an easy game because Udinese, both competitive and physically, are a very strong team. They were two really serious games,” he said.
“Now Milan are left with Verona, Atalanta and Sassuolo. The first two take away the initiative, they try to make you play at rhythms and speeds that you are not used to. Milan will have to overcome them.”
Finally, Sacchi also spared a thought on the management at Milan and the fantastic job they have done to build a squad competing for the title while respecting the budget.
“With the investments made, Milan reduced the debt by 50%, with unknown players. Chapeau to Maldini and his collaborators. Winning with debt means cheating.”