Former legendary coach of AC Milan, Arrigo Sacchi, spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport as usual and commented about the Rossoneri team:
"When I see players scattered across the field, it means something is wrong. And I'm very sorry because I think Pioli is a good coach as well as a good person. But he must intervene to ensure it doesn't happen again. I often see Pioli being criticized, I wouldn't blame him too much because the context and the available group must also be considered. Milan sometimes gives the impression of not knowing how to stay on the field, then they get it right for five or six games, then they fall back into chaos. There's no balance on the pitch and there's no consistency in results. This way, they won't get anywhere. If a player doesn't sacrifice, doesn't run back quickly, doesn't collaborate, Pioli must have the courage to leave him out. Otherwise, that player damages the whole team."
On Rafael Leao, Sacchi said:
"He has enormous qualities, but he must play for the team and with the team. Instead, he mostly plays alone. Temperament is genetic: you either have it or you don't. I hope he has it because, bringing it out of him, he would become a champion."
On the transfer market, Sacchi commnted:
"A reliable central defender and above all a valid center-forward, who could give Giroud a breather, would have been needed. Unfortunately, it's difficult to integrate so many foreigners together. And I have the impression that many purchases were not decided or at least shared by Pioli, and if that were true, it would be a serious mistake. In general, I believe that the way the squad was composed is not the right one; I haven't seen a project like in the recent past, but a series of disjointed operations. And so it's difficult to create a competitive team."
Sacchi spoke also about Paolo Maldini, the former AC Milan technical area director:
"Paolo had done very well, respecting the budgets and the history of Milan. He had chosen a coach who tried to move away from tactical play to become a strategist and helped him not only in the market but day by day. I fear that Pioli may have felt a bit abandoned after the decision to do without Maldini. I don't know the Americans or Furlani. I hope that there aren't different souls in the club, otherwise, there's a risk. In my time, there was a clear chain of command: Berlusconi, Galliani, Braida, myself. We all had the same idea of football. The executives were competent, and together we respected the club's style. Style tells you who you are and where you're going. What is Milan's style today?"
Meanwhile, there is Inter...
"The gap is reduced with the strength of ideas. Inter is playing spectacular, modern, European football. And it's not fair to criticise Milan and Juve because they can't keep up with the Nerazzurri. However, you must be able to read the situations and act accordingly. Milan will have to take players functional at the right price. But to do this, competence is needed in those who decide, therefore in the executives."
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