Alberto Zaccheroni believes that Juventus will be more fired up for the game against AC Milan, but the Rossoneri have a ‘secret weapon’ to exploit.
Milan will renew their historic rivalry with Juventus as they host Max Allegri’s side in Saturday’s evening kick-off at San Siro. The Rossoneri will be looking to bounce back from a difficult night at Stamford Bridge in midweek as they were well beaten 3-0 by Chelsea, while Juve come into the game having won their last two.
Hypotheses are floating around about how the game might go, with many suggesting the Bianconeri will try and be tough to break down but also others expecting an open game with plenty of chances.
Zaccheroni was in charge of both clubs during his career as a manager and he spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport to preview what could well be another fascinating game between two powerhouses of Italian football.
“At San Siro it will be a very open match, and a lot will depend on what happens at the start of the match. A bad start could then affect the entire match,” he said.
“I think Milan will play their game: they will give great intensity and rhythm to midfield, aware that Juve in the middle goes to alternating current. The Bianconeri will have to stay very collected and avoid giving Milan space and counters. The Rossoneri, however, leave something in defence and Juve could take advantage of it.”
Who is better or worse off between Milan and Juve?
“Neither of them is very well. But Juve, coming from two victories, are more charged, at the mental level they are better. But I know Maldini too well: when the results are down he knows how to intervene.”
What is your opinion of Leao?
“I like him very much, he is very gifted. Like all whimsical players he has ups and downs. But if he succeeds in the first play then you won’t stop him anymore, he becomes unstoppable. Of course, like all young people when something doesn’t work he suffers.”
Identity and mentality, two weak links for Juventus but not for Milan…
“Juve need to be mentally rebuilt. The main work must be directed in this direction, the rest will come accordingly. It is not possible that all the players recently bought are all scarce. There is a certain kind of mentality to be rebuilt, certainties to give to the players: first you have to capture the man, and then the player. There is a painstaking job to do.
“I really like the spirit of Milan that they put on the field: they have courage, bravery even in changing from game to game, based on the characteristics of who sends on the field and of the opponents. They are unpredictable, regardless of who plays, the spirit does not change and Milan do not stop. I repeat, Maldini knows how to deal with these moments, supporting Pioli in the best possible way.”
Allegri, on the other hand, had ended up in the dock…
“As always happens in these cases, even if it is not the most effective solution, as the recent changes on the bench have shown. Indeed, we should give continuity and rebuild the Juve of the past to project it into the future with the right mentality.
“Taking players by name not enough. You have to build starting from young players, like Vlahovic, with the future ahead. Then the ideal is to insert them into a fabric that works, they can’t be the ones to give security to the team.
“A young players who amazed me and I like him a lot is Miretti: I have rarely seen a boy of his age playing with that personality, not even Pirlo. Physically he is not very imposing but he is quick in his head and ready to see solutions, he doesn’t need to carry the ball. I see him ahead of Fagioli.”
Returning to the game at San Siro, who could decide the match?
“The game heralds extraordinary performers, but if I have to name two names I choose Leao and Vlahovic.”
Forza Milan, we have done ✅ it again by beating our rival by two goals to nil Forza Milano for life well-done boys.