Arrigo Sacchi has once again pointed out the flaws in AC Milan’s approach tactically, but he stressed his belief that head coach Stefano Pioli was let down by the 2023 summer transfer window.
Geoffrey Moncada and Giorgio Furlani took over the mercato duties from Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara in the summer. A total of ten signings were brought in, using the money from Sandro Tonali’s sale, and you can read our Substack breakdown of it all here.
The ten signings cost Milan a total of €113m and a number of different positions were addressed. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders and Luka Jovic have all made their contributions in what has been a rollercoaster season.
However, as we head towards the end of the campaign there is talk of revolution in the air, given that Milan are way off the pace in the title race and are likely to end without a trophy at present barring an excellent Europa League run.
Sacchi spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport that seemed to be mostly angled around the things that irritate him most about the current Milan side.
What worries you about this Milan?
“When I see the Milan players scattered around the pitch it means that something is wrong. And I’m very sorry, because I think that Pioli is a good coach as well as a good person. But he has to intervene.”
How do you rate Milan’s season so far?
“Judgment is suspended. The season was negative, not because Inter will win [the Scudetto], but because the Rossoneri have never been in the fight for the Scudetto.
“And also the exit from the Champions League in the groups after last year’s semi-final weighs in the evaluations, as does the elimination in the Coppa Italia.
“Milan must finish second, and they can do it because they have more overall quality than Juve, and go to the final of the Europa League. Otherwise the balance sheet will not be good.”
What is the main cause of a lower-than-expected season?
“The transfer market wasn’t done well. And I’m not just referring to individual qualities, given that Pulisic offered an excellent performance and Loftus-Cheek improved after a difficult start.
“But a reliable central defender and above all a valid centre-forward were needed, that would let Giroud take a breather. Unfortunately it is difficult to integrate so many foreigners together.
“And I have the impression that many signings were not decided or at least shared by Pioli and, if this were really the case, it would be a serious mistake.
“In general I believe that the way in which the squad was composed is not the right one, I didn’t see a project as had happened in the recent past, but a series of operations unrelated to each other. And so it is difficult to create a competitive team.”
Was Maldini’s competence underestimated and that of the algorithm overestimated?
“Paolo had done very well, respecting the budgets and history of Milan. He had chosen a coach who tried to move away from tactics to become a strategist and helped him not only on the transfer market, but day after day.
“I fear that Pioli felt like a a little abandoned after the decision to do without Maldini. I don’t know the Americans and not even Furlani. I hope that there aren’t different souls in the club, otherwise there are risks.
“In my time there was a clear chain of command: Berlusconi, Galliani, Braida, me. We all had the same idea of football. The managers were competent and together we respected the style of the club. Style tells you who you are and where you are going. What is Milan’s style today?”
On the field the team often appears split in two. This is Pioli’s responsibility…
“Yes. He’s good and he has to make sure it doesn’t happen again. I see that Pioli is often criticised, I wouldn’t blame him too much because the context and the group available must also be evaluated.
“Milan sometimes give the impression of not knowing how to stay on the pitch, then get five or six games right, then fall back into chaos. There is no balance on the pitch and there is no continuity in the results. So they don’t get anywhere.
“If a player doesn’t sacrifice himself, If he doesn’t run backwards quickly, if he doesn’t collaborate, Pioli must have the courage to leave him out. Otherwise that player damages the whole team.”
Are you thinking about Leao?
“He has enormous qualities, but he has to play for the team and with the team. Instead he mainly plays alone. The temperament is genetic: you have it or you don’t have it. I hope he has it because, by bringing it out, he would become a champion.”
How can the gap to Inter be reduced?
“With the power of ideas. Inter are playing spectacular, modern, European football. And it’s not right to criticise Milan and Juve because they can’t keep up with the Nerazzurri.
“But you have to know how to read the situations and operate accordingly. Milan will have to sign functional players at the right price. But to do so, competence is needed in those who decide, therefore in the managers.”
