Speaking to the microphones of MilanNews.it, journalist Luca Bianchin from 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' commented on the current situation of the Rossoneri team, on the eve of the Coppa Italia final.
Here are his words.
What reactions do you expect from the club management currently under the spotlight, regardless of how the final will go?
"I don't expect any particular reactions, I am struck by this countdown that is above Conceiçao's head, which he himself started, pressing the button some time ago by saying: 'At the end of the season, I will speak.' Now the sand in the hourglass is almost finished, there is little left until the moment when Conceiçao will speak. It is clear that there is anticipation to understand what he will say, whether they will be spicy declarations, whether he will push hard to leave, whether he will say: 'I will stay, but under certain conditions,' whether he will say: 'They are not letting me stay, but...'. I definitely expect some criticism regarding some objective difficulties he has had during his half-season spent at Milan."
Is it more likely that Milan will propose confirmation to Sergio Conceiçao or that he will spontaneously leave the ship?
"It depends a lot on the result. Clearly, if Milan were to lose the Coppa Italia, we will definitely have a new coach and he might vent a bit more. On the contrary, if Milan were to win the Coppa Italia, the chances of confirmation would increase and he would take a few more days to say what he thinks. I don't know if for him the end means after this match or, more probably, after the last day of the championship."
In all these discussions there is no figure who should be leading these talks, namely the sporting director...
"It seems that there is the idea of not appointing a sporting director, even though I would keep all options open."
Are there no more profiles available?
"There are, if one wants. The problem is that since they haven't been chosen now, it's unlikely they will be chosen in June. As for directors under contract, we have Sartori here who let the message pass that he will stay at Bologna. There is Tony D'Amico but Atalanta said they will keep him. Who knows if the discussion might reopen, but at this moment we stick to the declarations of Percassi."
Manchester City with an offer of 70 million euros for Tijjani Reijnders. Who decides whether to sell him or not? Bianchin answered:
"It is clear that Giorgio Furlani will have an important role in this. It won't be a one-man-show, obviously Ibrahimovic and Cardinale will have something to say. They will talk to each other, as has always been the case in these periods, sometimes with collaboration and sometimes with tension. But obviously Furlani will have a lot of say in the matter. I feel like saying that there are no untouchables, but for Reijnders I think it would take an exaggerated offer to convince Milan to consider it."
What about Theo Hernandez?
"With Theo it's different, because he only has one year left on his contract. The talks for the renewal have not led to a signature. It's not so simple that it will happen. The offer in this case should be lower. I believe that for Theo and Maignan either an auction is created or they remain players with only one year left on their contract. Consequently, everyone can form their own opinion, but he will never be a player worth 70 million unless there are two clubs that make an auction. Also because Theo's season is not that of a 70-million player. One should aim for figures between 20 and 35 million euros."
Does it make sense for Milan to keep Theo Hernandez and Mike Maignan for one more year at the risk of losing them for free?
"Moncada said it clearly: no, it does not make sense. Clearly, the unspoken part of this sentence is: either renew or sell. I think that is the starting point, then in football situations evolve in many ways. You can do a contract during the season, you can make an agreement to continue together and in January we will see."
Coppa Italia final: Milan's attack with Santiago Gimenez or Luka Jovic?
"I expect Jovic. The spot is his despite what happened in the last two weeks. He is the one who brought Milan to the final with his goals."
What kind of match do you expect?
"A beautiful, open match. Theoretically with many goals. Two teams used to scoring, so I don't expect an Italian-style 0-0."
