Interviewed this morning by La Gazzetta dello Sport, former coach Arrigo Sacchi spoke about Milan but also more generally about all the Italian teams involved this evening in the final day of the league phase of this new Champions League format:
"With this new format, it's worth saying that there have been some surprises. There were teams that should have easily won, but now they’re in difficulty and don't know if they will qualify. I’m still convinced that there is too much playing and not enough training, and with this system, you end up having surprises."
Let’s move to the other side of Milan, your beloved Milan. They’re playing away against Dinamo Zagreb. How do you see it?
"The opponent isn’t exceptional, I believe they can make it into the top eight. However, Milan must be very careful at this time. It seems to me they are looking for a solution to their many problems, but they don’t have very clear ideas."
Can you explain that further? Sacchi replied:
"Let me say that I have Milan in my heart and I would love to help them achieve great goals, but I have to admit that a coach like Conceiçao should have been hired at the start of the season so he could build the team according to his needs. Instead, after Fonseca’s experience, he finds himself managing a group of players he didn’t choose. And, logically, it’s tough. Milan needs reliable players, I’ll keep saying that as long as I have a voice. I was sorry that Conceiçao was criticized for his reaction to Calabria: things like that can happen. It was probably an exaggerated reaction, but he’s trying to give the team a spirit, and the club should support him in this effort."
