Gianluca Zambrotta believes that the game between AC Milan and Juventus on Sunday could well give signs regarding the Scudetto race, but added that the Rossoneri are better.
Zambrotta played for several different Italian clubs in his career meaning he is no stranger to the big occasions. He got a move to Juventus in 1999, winning two consecutive Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana titles in 2002 and 2003.
He then ended up joining Milan after a spell at Barcelona, where he won his third Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana titles in 2011. At international level, Zambrotta won 98 caps for the Italian national team, playing at three World Cups and three European Championships.
Zambrotta spoke during an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luca Bianchin in view of Sunday’s game and he addressed a number of topics, including the betting scandal and Milan’s defensive improvement.
Who is the favourite for Sunday?
“Milan seems to be better, they won’t have Maignan and Theo but they are more calm. The betting affair on Juventus may have had an influence.”
Who will be the key players, apart from the forwards?
“The Thiaw-Tomori pair for Milan, because they have been very solid for a few weeks. For Juve I say Rabiot, who with Allegri is always important.”
Marotta said: “Planning for the season without European competitions is an advantage. This is why I say that Juventus are favourites for the Scudetto.” Do you agree?
“Inter, Milan and Juve are the teams that are doing best, together with Fiorentina who play very well. Without Europe, there is an advantage and a disadvantage.
“The advantage: you have more time to work and to recover from injuries, perhaps giving some precious day off. The disadvantage: playing in the cup keeps your concentration and mentality high.”
Who are favourites for the title then?
“Milan and Juventus are on equal terms. Juve because they actually have more time to prepare for the matches, Milan because they started strong and are playing well. Inter have had a couple of setbacks, they convince me less.”
Should Mirante start in goal for Milan?
“Yes, I would definitely choose him. Compared to Lapo Nava he has the experience and the habit of being with the team for years. In a Milan-Juve match played at San Siro he can have an impact. Risking a young player can be done if you have Buffon, not with many others…”
Moving to Juve: who should be on the flanks between McKennie, Kostic, Cambiaso, Weah?
“Weah and Kostic for me. McKennie can play wide but is adapted to that role, while Cambiaso is good but has less experience.”
And for Milan?
“I think Calabria and Florenzi are playing and it seems right to me. I like Bartesaghi because, even though he’s only 17 years old, he’s not afraid on the pitch and has personality, but on Sunday I don’t see him from the start.
“Theo won’t be available and I say that his quality is the same as Maignan and Leao: there’s no question. Further on, Pulisic and Leao are simply the best players on the team, the strongest pair of wingers in the league.”
Your thoughts on Pioli?
“A great person, he worked very well, I’m happy for him.”
We close with betting, the topic of the week. In your life as a footballer, have you ever received offers?
“No, I never had this habit and the habit of betting wasn’t that widespread. In my time there were fewer temptations than now and social media had also just started to spread. Kids today are much more fragile, they have more chance of getting on the pedestal and then getting off quickly.
“With keyboard lions, if you don’t have personality and self-esteem it’s easy to make mistakes. If you score an own goal, social media hits you hard. It’s not easy.”
The picture that emerges from the news of these two weeks, however, is very worrying. What can you say, as a former footballer and as a parent?
“Yes, it’s not a pretty picture. The players know that you can’t bet, so it’s right to punish those who break the rules. On the other hand, however, reading Fagioli’s words, I feel like saying that right now he needs to be helped.
“You can’t go so far as to cry on the bench, not for a wrong pass but for debts: this way a player makes 10%. Nicolò must be punished but not condemned, otherwise you risk losing him.”
