MilanNews.it held an exclusive interview with Xavier Jacobelli, director of Tuttosport, to talk about Milan's performance against Cagliari, and the season overall. Jacobelli had talking points about the Rossoneri across the board, covering the transfer market, management, mentality and more. Here are his words:
Could last night's draw between Milan and Cagliari, a match point failed by the Rossoneri, compromise qualification for next year's Champions League?
"Certainly Milan and its fans were thinking of a different outcome of the match between Milan and Cagliari which had the merit, despite the Benevento draw in Crotone had saved him, of honoring the commitment to the end. The Sardinians were protagonists of an extraordinary feat with salvation and yesterday's match certified the growth of Semplici's team. Milan, for its part, had the 'short arm' because one step away from a goal that has been chasing for 7 years, from a on the other hand he was afraid of suffering a mockery and on the other he tried differently than in the two games, without lucidity and without precision, for the advantage. I think, however, that it is an understandable reaction. When you have been pursuing such an important goal for 7 years, a competition which is the natural habitat of Milan, and it is 90 minutes from this goal that we happen to get stuck as well as a great tennis player one point from victory. I think it is an important experience and I have no doubt that we will see another tro Milan on the pitch against Atalanta. The situation hangs in the balance not only for the Rossoneri but also for Juventus while Napoli see them in great shape, after their eleventh victory in their last 14 games. The whole of Gattuso's team is doing very well so we will see what Juventus and Atalanta will do after the Coppa Italia final against the Bianconeri. From the outcome of this match we will understand the state of form of the Bergamo players but also of Juventus who have understood that their destiny is no longer in their hands,".
Judging the overall season of AC Milan up to now, what in your opinion have been the strengths and weaknesses of Pioli's squad?
"In the meantime, we must remember the starting point which was on 22 December 2019, that 5-0 suffered against the Atalanta that he will face on Sunday. From there there was a turning point because the team, step by step, got up to the point of having an extraordinary calendar year. Pioli's team, which has done an extraordinary job, is rich in talent, young and with a great future. It is a team that may have experienced pauses in performance but it is a team capable of believing in itself, of being first in the standings for many days and capable of entertaining. The opinion on the team, regardless of the final position, is very positive even if the environment rightly hopes for a landing in the Champions League. Fortunately, Italian football is finding Milan at a high level. It is clear that then on the summer transfer market Milan must find a striker capable of going into double figures in the absence of Ibrahimovic, who luckily will not have to undergo any surgery. Unfortunately he will not participate in the European Championship, a competition he and Sweden were very keen on but fortunately he will not have to suffer a long stop. On the market, as mentioned before, Milan will have as their first goal to find a great striker, especially if he returns to the Champions League,".
You rightly mentioned the attacking knot. Among the names that circulate in orbit Milan, in particular, are those of Vlahovic and Belotti. If you were a Rossoneri manager, who would you bet on?
"We would be spoiled for choice. Belotti, in this last period, has suffered a decline in performance but in Turin, especially in this team, the 'Gallo' has done extraordinary things in the last two years. Belotti, in the very low level of play of the grenades, was the man who kept Torino standing and this shows his strength. Vlahovic, for his part, is 21 years old and in the prime of his footballing maturity and is a great player. It will be necessary to clearly understand what Torino and Fiorentina will want to do and what the evaluation of the two players will be if they are put on the market. We must think that the overall debt situation that football is going through will lead to a reduction in both the cards and the salaries that will be agreed. If Milan re-enter the Champions League, if the choice of a new striker would fall on Vlahovic or Belotti it would also be a happy decision. Vlahovic, in particular, exploded in Florence, in a team that changed coach twice, struggled in the league and started with different ambitions from those that have seen them as protagonists,".
This season Milan have shown both that they are dependent on Ibrahimovic and that they can do without the Swede's plays. Is it fair to say that the Rossoneri team needs the leadership of the number 11 more temperamentally than technically?
"In the meantime, we must underline the importance of Ibrahimovic's return to the Rossoneri. As he rightly pointed out, Milan immediately felt the positive shock transmitted by Ibrahimovic on his return to Milanello. Pioli was very good at motivating the team even in the absence of the Swedish champion, as were his team mates. The decision to extend Ibrahimovic's contract for another year was very wise and positive. AC Milan, after the retirement of the great leaders they have had over time, needed a lot of guidance within the team. His presence is fundamental and we saw yesterday how much he suffered on the bench and his regret after the lack of victory. Ibrahimovic was fundamental on the pitch and he will also be in these days that separate the team from the away match in Bergamo so I think he is the pivot of Milan in the present and next season. It will be so both in the appearances on the pitch, which I hope will be many, and in the dressing rooms of San Siro and Milanello. His figure is as fundamental as those of other management figures,".
A round of applause for the work of Maldini and Massara?
"Exactly. They had a very important role because they are two managers who have shown on the pitch that they are really good. The policy of going to find the talents, to bring them to Milan despite the objective economic difficulties and thanks to the work of Pioli to launch them into orbit is a testimony of their work. There are many examples, namely those of Brahim Diaz, Tomori or Saelemaekers who is a very talented player. Leao himself since next year I will put the experience of this season to good use. This is a team that has a great future and now has to take the last fundamental step in terms of prestige, fans and balance sheets. Arriving in the Champions League or placing in the top four can bring between 50 and 55 million euros and this makes us understand the value of a European placement. In a moment like this, even 5 million make a difference,".
Money that could clearly make a difference also for the renewal of Donnarumma who yesterday reached 250 appearances for the Rossoneri. Your comment on this milestone and on what could be the outcome of the renewal affair?
“Donnarumma is a phenomenon. We are used to considering him a veteran but he is a 22 year old boy, launched in the league at just 16 years old. This guy is a real phenomenon and I really hope he can stay with the Rossoneri. In case of qualification for CL I think this would certainly happen also because I think Donnarumma is eager to play this competition with Milan. He is very attached to the Rossoneri and it is not easy to provide such a performance in a whirlwind of emotions like that. Yesterday he kept Milan afloat with two incredible reflections on Godin and Pavoletti,".