Arrigo Sacchi has given his thoughts on the upcoming Europa League tie between AC Milan and Roma, while he also offered some reflections on the 2023 summer window.
Sacchi is someone who knows what it takes to win, having managed Milan in two separate spells (1987–1991, 1996–1997) and racking up a number of trophy wins despite being seen as somewhat of an unknown quantity when he arrived.
He won the Serie A title in his debut season in 1987–88 season and then won back to back European Cups in 1989 and 1990. He also served as head coach of the Italian national team and led them to the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil on penalties.
Sacchi spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport and the interview was published this morning on the day of the trip to face Fiorentina, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan.
What are your thoughts ahead of the Roma tie?
“An open challenge and I’ll explain straight away. Milan have been rather inconsistent over the course of the season, but in 2024 they are demonstrating that they have made improvements.
“It’s still not the team I would like to see, compact and solid in every department, or at least they don’t always manage to be that way. But they have room for growth and, above all, it has international experience.”
Is experience enough to get through?
“No, you need to play well first of all. But Milan, in terms of style, when they hit the right day, have it. And now Roma have it too. With De Rossi there has been a radical change. The team has ideas, it moves according to a score, it seems completely different compared to Mourinho’s period.
“I don’t know what happened, not being inside the Giallorossi environment, but I think that this Roma It will cause a lot of trouble for Milan.”
Who, between Milan and Roma, will reach the semi-final of the Europa League?
“I’m not a fortune teller, I’ll just say that anything can happen. Perhaps Milan have the advantage of playing their first match at San Siro. But let’s consider that in cup matches, the psychological aspect and the physical aspect are fundamental, especially in spring. How are the Milan and Roma players doing? Are they at the top?”
Will the league give indications?
“The Rossoneri will now go to visit Fiorentina, and there we will understand the situation. Roma will be busy in Lecce, a game that is seemingly within their reach, but you can never tell. I repeat: in the Europa League an open challenge, a fifty-fifty chance.”
What do you like about Daniele De Rossi’s Roma?
“I see greater resourcefulness, there seems to be a different air. And then a player like Pellegrini was resurrected who I know well because he came to the youth national teams when I was responsible for him. He’s a good boy and a good footballer.”
And about Milan?
“If they press well, but they don’t always do so, the Rossoneri manage to recover the ball quickly and trigger the wide attackers who are very quick. Pulisic is doing very well, Loftus-Cheek too is proving to be a good signing.
“And then there’s Leao, who you never know what he can give you due to his temperament, but he has great qualities and can solve problems on his own.”
Nah the internet told me Roma are favourites, De Rossi is unbeatable
We edge Roma and go through. I don’t think we blow them out of the water or anything but we have more quality than them.