Legendary former defender of AC Milan, Alessandro Costacurta spoke to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport in today's print edition. He discussed the moment of the Rossoneri and the players' respective forms:
"Let's start with the last test: an important show of strength. They have the ability to direct and manage games against top tier teams. Now the calendar is simpler, and in April the return of the Italian Cup and then Lazio and Fiorentina will say a lot. I thought that certain slowdowns were sins of youth. But if other teams, in Italy and in Europe, more mature than AC Milan have the same trend then there is more: Covid and then the atrocities of the war take everyone's concentration away, including the players. These are situations that shake us like never before."
He added:
"This is how it works with talent, and Milan are affected by the ups and downs of Leao, the most decisive of the team. The left wing is often exalted, rightly so, but the dangers almost always come from there. In Napoli, Di Lorenzo, very good, seemed like Cafu, also thanks to the lack of defensive capacity of Rafa and Hernandez, who argue too often. The solidity of other key players brings balance."
"I am referring to the centrals, to Tonali and Bennacer, who have grown a lot, and to Giroud: always on the spot, he touches few balls but is decisive. He surprised me, I didn't think he was a champion and instead he's pushing Milan towards the title."
Costacurta on Alessio Romagnoli:
"My expectations were very high, I thought he could become the strongest, the new Chiellini. For what he was doing at 19, I thought he had unlimited potential. Kalulu, on the other hand, has grown a lot in one year, he has to improve more but he is fast and focused. Botman? He has qualities to work on, but I don't know him temperamentally and for the commitment he puts into training. Today, as he is, he can be worth Romagnoli."
On Franck Kessié:
"I see fewer and fewer fundamental players around like Mbappé. Franck, like many players is important, but he is not decisive. He is absolutely replaceable. Tonali is more important than him, indeed he is the most important of today's AC Milan, even more than Giroud and Maignan", declared Costacurta.
"I wrote to Maldini after the purchase from Brescia defining him as the best prospect of European football. Today, I can say that I was right."
On Zlatan Ibrahimovic:
"He must stay at Milan. He was fundamental in the recovery of Milan, with Maldini and Pioli. This is their team, the fruit of their work. Zlatan may no longer be as decisive as before, but he always has his weight."
