Arrigo Sacchi gave an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport after Milan-Tottenham, a match played last night at San Siro and ended 1-0. Here is the comment from the historic AC Milan coach.
"Now we have to go to London without fear and never forget that we always have to start again to put Tottenham in difficulty. This victory is worth a lot, a lot. Brahim Diaz's goal, at the beginning, gave courage to everyone. Milan needed a night like this. I saw generosity from everyone, I saw collaboration, I saw aggressiveness, I even saw ferocity. For example, on the occasion of Brahim Diaz's goal: he wanted to score it, and in the end, he did. When a team gives everything, puts every bit of energy on the field, it is already a winning team. Milan had lost its way, and now I hope that this success can contribute to the team finding its way back quickly. The defense was very good, always well-protected by the midfield dam formed by Tonali and Krunic, and constantly helped by the attackers."
On the performance of Malick Thiaw, Sacchi said:
"He played an excellent game. He often found himself in one-on-one situations and did not give up an inch to the opponent. I repeat: I liked the general attitude of the team, which played with courage, aware that it is going through a rather difficult moment. Well, if I have to find a flaw, I would say that sometimes they needed to look for counterattacks with more insistence. Always verticalize and shorten to favour the pressing: these are the secrets that made Milan great last season, and now they need to find those mechanisms again."
On Rafael Leao:
"He made several sprints and in this way put the Tottenham defense in difficulty. He also seemed to have given everything he had. Pioli can be satisfied with how his boys responded on the field. The spirit was there. Now it is a matter of fixing some details."
On Simon Kjaer vs Harry Kane:
"A fight all over the field, and in the end, Kjaer won it. He looked for the interception, had the wisdom to wait, fought in the air, conceded very little to a great center-forward like Kane."
On Tottenham, Sacchi said:
"Let's say that it didn't seem like a top team to me. Several players were missing, that's true, but I didn't see the usual game, the usual mechanisms. I don't think that Conte can be completely satisfied with the performance, even if there is the return match to remedy. We can expect a completely different Tottenham in the return, and then Milan will have to pay even more attention. Defensive compactness and immediate counterattacks, that's what I expect Milan to do in England. The elements for this type of play, starting with Leao, are certainly not lacking. The important thing is that there is this team spirit."
