Things did not start with a bang on Matchday 1 for AC Milan, and Arrigo Sacchi has spoken about what needs to change.
There can be several gripes had with the first game of the season, Milan were poor and were made to pay for it. A newly promoted Cremonese performed a smash-and-grab, but it would be difficult to say it was undeserved.
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Instead, it can only be said that the Rossoneri deserved to lose. They were inferior in key areas, and did not offer the performance which was required for everyone. In front of a demanding crowd, they underperformed, and the mistakes were not new.
Now, there are several things that need reviewing, and the mercato must be visited. Quality is needed, but so is time. After all, a large reset has occurred.
Sacchi’s review
Today, Sacchi spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the opening game and what Milan must do going forward.
“We’re starting with a bang. And who would have imagined that Cremonese, newly promoted from Serie B, would go on to win at San Siro against Allegri’s new AC Milan? Few would have bet on it, yet it happened, proving that our league may not be the most beautiful, aesthetically speaking, but it’s certainly the most balanced and the most unpredictable.
“It would be easy to slam the Rossoneri, but that wouldn’t be fair. I think Allegri needs time to assemble the team and give them a game, and I believe that right now the club has a duty to help the coach and the players.
“Losing on your debut hurts, really hurts. The fans are certainly disappointed, but I think character is strengthened by hardship. Anyone who thought that a few signings would be enough for AC Milan to turn things around after last season’s disastrous season was clearly wrong.
“It’s not a question of players, of a midfielder or a full-back, of a forward or a midfielder: you must, first of all, have a score and then choose the players.
“Cremonese was clearly inferior, physically and technically, yet they scored two goals and won the match. Why? If only the players, their qualities, their feet, mattered, then Milan should have won, and instead…
“This shows that in football, and especially in our Serie A, what makes the difference are character, team spirit, the willingness to sacrifice, and organisation. Cremonese had these qualities, Milan doesn’t yet. But let’s give them time, and I’m sure Allegri will right the ship.”
Well said🤌🏾
If we played this game with a proper striker that can hold up the ball and dominate the oppositions defence, we would easlily have won. Besides the defensive awareness on the two goals, we were superior the entire game. In fact Milan played more structured and that shows Allegris work. This is the right coach for this team, but they are beheaded without a striker. In my opinion Boniface is the right man, but hopefully they find another solution if he doesn’t come. I don’t think Vlahovic is the right player, but if he comes I hope he proves me wrong.
We had a lot of players with defensive duty which turned into confusion; Pulisic was dropping back to chase the ball which left Gimenez alone and marked by two or more defenders.
Back 3 and lack of proper wingers will not allow us to create chances because the whole idea is to defend right from the kick off
Sacchi got this right. Character is very important. We need to unleash the strength in team and individual characters..
This team did not need to be gutted the way it was, especially the attack, Jovic and Abraham should have been retained, it was a mistake selling Okafor, we need at least 2 powerful strikers…
To Sacchi, Allegri can get things right. Offcourse we know why sacchi said this. Allegri is Italian.
However, was Sacchi this rational when Foncesa drew his league match vs Torino?? Milan is now a global team and should be treated as such
Let call a spade a spade. Milan failed woeful to collection of serie a rejects in cremenose. Allegri was out Coached yesterday with a coach that have the same issues with Alllgri which NEW PLAYERS.
no excuses pls. Because Allegri is Italian.
Good assessment from a great coach. Despite the defeat, there were a lot of positives. Our guys played well. A few mistakes here and there, but, with more work, I believe they will blend into a formidable unit. Modrić really impressed me. Wasn’t too excited about his signing, but, I guess, he still has something to offer. Hope Leao comes back on time, and, we get a good striker. I also pray that Gimenez comes good, too.