Former AC Milan tactician, Alberto Zaccheroni, believes that the red and black faithful who are led by coach Pioli are capable of lifting the Serie A trophy this season with 8 games left to play.
The retired coach said the following words to the microphones of La Gazzetta dello Sport:
"This Milan team can do it because it has density, intensity and quality. The squad does not exploit the whole field, but only the central part of it and they are capable of winning duels there while creating numerical superiority."
"There is this system that rewards the Milan team: Theo, Leao, but also Messias and Calabria, as well as Florenzi, are very centralised", he said, "They literally dominate the central area of the pitch which is key. Obviously, Ismael Bennacer, one of the best against Cagliari and Kessié contribute. Brahim Diaz is now struggling a little because he is playing against more physical systems."
Zaccheroni continued:
"Comparing this team to my 1999 squad? I can't do that. But, there are few similarities. We won in comeback with an experienced team, almost at the end. And that came two seasons from tenth and eleventh in the standings. This Milan has been in charge for months, it (the team) was also at the top for quite some time last season. This is a group mainly made up of young people with a great future ahead."
"I can no longer say that they surprise me, quite the contrary", stressed the former boss of AC Milan, "But, there is a similarity with my Milan: they are two teams with a great spirit. We see that today as then there is the right climate and enthusiasm. From this point of view, they are unique. Pioli has been very good."
Zaccheroni concluded by saying the following:
"But, the creator of this rebirth is Paolo Maldini as he created the ideal environment. To insist on the Rossoneri sense of belonging, Paolo is a true master. So today, Milan is the most continuous team in the league, a factor that in the end will certainly be decisive. Inter can have more quality and personality, Napoli are there and for them it is the chance of a lifetime. In addition, Juve is also back in the race. But in this phase of the championship it is essential to pick up the pace, and not lose it: Milan did it, the others are still discontinuous, especially Inter. The Rossoneri are better now than anyone else and have shown that they have another decisive characteristic: the mentality."
