AC Milan won, deservedly, against Claudio Ranieri's Cagliari team 4-1 at the San Siro. Goals scored by Luka Jovic (x2), Chaka Traoré, and Rafael Leao.
The former legendary coach, Arrigo Sacchi, spoke about the Rossoneri's victory. Here are his thoughts, as published in the pages of La Gazzetta dello Sport, as usual:
"The clear victory of Milan against Cagliari in the Coppa Italia, even achieved with a completely revamped lineup full of young players, is an unequivocal message: the Rossoneri, in this 2024, aim to recover lost ground. I saw a serious team that honours the name it carries... When you sign many foreigners, not accustomed to the Italian championship and perhaps coming from not particularly brilliant seasons, it's normal to have some assembly problems: players must adapt not only to a new style of football but also to a new social reality. In these cases, patience would be needed, but who has it in football? No one."
Sacchi continued:
"All things considered, however, Milan is third in the standings and, if it corrects its course, still has the chance to catch up with Juve and Inter. It's not impressing in terms of gameplay, that's true, but one cannot speak of a disastrous season or below expectations unless those were to win the Champions League and even the league title. Furthermore, the door to the Europa League has opened for the Rossoneri, an important and prestigious showcase. Milan has never won it, an extra incentive to give their all in this competition and show improvements in their gameplay."
Sacchi added:
"What surprises about Pioli's team is that, at times, it doesn't seem like a collective unit: you see players scattered across the field without a common thread binding them. Not always, though. In fact, when they manage to play 'as a team,' the Rossoneri can hold their own against anyone. It's about working hard in training to make the players understand the basic concepts the coach wants to convey, also getting into the players' heads. Milan is Milan, this must never be forgotten: it has a magnificent history behind it and must strive to uphold its values."
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