Like every Monday, Arrigo Sacchi analyzed the latest AC Milan match on the Gazzetta dello Sport columns today. Below is the thought of the great former Rossoneri coach:
"Blackout for Milan. The Rossoneri lost and were overwhelmed by Hurricane Spezia, masterfully led by Vincenzo Italiano. It can happen, many of them were returning from long absences and had just returned to the field. It was unthinkable that they were already in top form, as well as it is justifiable that those who always played could be tired. Perhaps the guys of Pioli underestimated the level of difficulty they would encounter."
"La Spezia are made up of a group of unknown players, rookies in Serie A who are playing good football full of knowledge, innovation and courage. Spezia put Milan in difficulty using the same weapons that allowed the Rossoneri to go beyond everyone's hopes and expectations. The men of Italiano surprised the Milan fans with a furious pressing developed for all 90 minutes, thanks to a team that moved like a compact steamroller. Only in this way have they been able to accomplish this feat by increasing the pressure level. It was a team of 11 men met against a group of Rossoneri, the result: there was no match."
"Spezia played at a hellish pace for our championship. It is difficult to metabolise the defeats. The Rossoneri have been the great surprise of the championship so far. They played excellent football thanks to the will and enthusiasm of everyone and thanks to the splendid collective created and organised by Stefano Pioli. Players who until last year had less convinced have transformed in a short time, reaching unexpected heights. The collective helped them and made it possible to hide inexperiences and qualities. Everyone took advantage of the synergy created. You can have the best players in the world, but if they don't have strong motivation, high team spirit and a game to guide them, that team will be worth little."
"It can happen when you win a lot to fall into the precariousness of victories, which means believing yourself invincible: well at that moment the idea of collective would be broken. Being a team is one of the most unlikely things in our country in all areas, too bad, it would be the most important. Romain Rolland, philosopher and Nobel laureate, said: “Heroes are all those who do what they can do”. This must be the goal: to have 11 men who give everything following the instructions of their coach".