Serginho is confident that Massimiliano Allegri will get AC Milan over the line in the top four race, despite a recent wobble.
The past few weeks have not gone the way that Allegri nor Milan planned. From being in title contention – albeit faint – the Rossoneri have lost four of their last seven games and did not score in any of those defeats, raising a lot of question marks.
Beyond ending the Scudetto dream, it has seen the gap to fifth place reduced from nine points to five, and Napoli have now jumped above them into second too. The 3-0 loss at home to Udinese on Saturday was what really got the alarm bells ringing, as Allegri’s switch to a 4-3-3 proved disastrous.
Serginho remains confident that Milan will finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification despite this recent period. He spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport about the game on Sunday in Verona and seven days against Juventus, plus the squad and coach in general.
What do you think happened on Saturday?
“Nothing so strange or unusual. This season, the team has done very well against the big teams, but has struggled a lot against the small-to-medium teams. When Milan has to play like a dominant side, they struggle more: at San Siro, it also happened against Parma.”
The gap to fifth-placed Como is five points, and in the Champions League race, the Rossoneri have Inter to thank for beating them…
“I’m not worried about the teams below, but about Milan: if they play with the character they showed in the derby and in many other matches, I’m not worried about getting into the top four.
“I think the standings could have been even better than they are now if there hadn’t been some avoidable slip-ups against inferior opponents, but now only the last six matchdays matter, and we need to achieve our objective.”
Will Allegri get it done?
“Milan has its destiny in its own hands and depends only on itself, on the results it achieves. I don’t look at the fixtures.
“In my opinion, the team has the potential to finish in second or third place if it returns to showing the balance and consistency that allowed it to go 24 league games without a loss. From Sunday, I hope to see that team again.”
In Verona, against a Hellas side almost condemned to Serie B, the mistake not to make is underestimating the opposition…
“I don’t think that will happen. Especially after the defeat against Udinese, I expect an angry and highly focused Milan. It’s a match we absolutely mustn’t get wrong because then Juventus will arrive at San Siro.”
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So, will the next two rounds be decisive?
“The match against Juventus will be absolutely crucial. If we beat them, our objective would practically be achieved. But first we need to beat Verona.”
To beat Hellas, Allegri will return to a 3-5-2. Is this the right thing to do after the 4-3-3 failed?
“Against Udinese, as Allegri emphasised, there was a lack of tactical order. Milan started the season with a 3-5-2 and changed their playing system over the course of a few games, and on Saturday for the first time from the start.
“Alternating formations isn’t easy for the players: the risk is that they haven’t memorised the new mechanisms and will give away too many scoring opportunities, as happened against Udinese.
“But don’t just blame the defense as a unit, because the non-possession phase is the responsibility of the team as a whole.”
The attack is the most worrying thing, given that the last goal by a striker dates back to March 1st…
“The 3-5-2 that has brought Milan so high in the standings is a system that gives the team solidity and enhances many individual players, but not the forwards. Leao and Pulisic are two attacking wingers and don’t have the characteristics to play with their backs to goal.
“They need space to play one-on-one, to cross, or to shoot. Leao in particular is penalised if he doesn’t have the ability to run down the left. He’s sacrificed himself to be a center forward, and in some matches he’s done well and scored, but it’s not his natural position.”
On Saturday, Leao was booed loudly…
“San Siro is a demanding stadium that has applauded him many times in the past when he scored and delivered important performances. Let’s just say that in the last season and a half, Leao hasn’t always been able to express his great potential.”
Is the Portuguese’s love story with the Rossoneri over? Will he say goodbye at the end of the season?
“In football, everything changes quickly, and I wouldn’t make any definitive judgments. Perhaps Saturday’s boos for Leao will be an extra incentive to prove his worth at the end of this season.
“Sometimes a goal is enough to rekindle the love. For example, if he scored the decisive goal to beat Juventus…”
Would you let him play in Verona on Sunday?
“The decision is up to Allegri: no one knows the team’s physical condition like he does and has his finger on the pulse. He’ll make the right decision for Milan and to achieve our objective.”
A diplomatic response…
“It has nothing to do with diplomacy: it’s hard to judge from the outside. As a Milan fan, I hoped the team would win the Scudetto, but they dropped too many points in easily accessible matches. Now, the mistake mustn’t be made in the race for Champions League qualification.”
Without getting into the top four the season would be a failure, right?
“Milan must play in the Champions League. For their history, for the club they are, and for the fans they have. I’m optimistic, and they don’t even want to think that after the final matchday we won’t be in the top four.
“We’ve been up there from the start, and I remain convinced we can do it. I’m optimistic and I believe in Allegri and his men. In Verona and against Juventus, we’ll see the real Milan. I’m convinced of that.”
The former players from Ancelotti’s team are more educated and more attached to the team than many of the so called fans. We were so lucky to witness this team.
Serginho came to Milan before Ancelotti was the coach, great player nonetheless, he was brought in by Zaccheroni to replace Leonardo for the long term after the 98/99 Scudetto winning season, and he did that with more success than Leonardo actually had in a Milan shirt on that left flank.
That’s true, I mean in general, the period in which all these players excelled as men and as a team.