Former AC Milan striker, and now San Paolo coach, Hernan Crespo gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport which was published in today's edition. Here are his words:
"Milan is ready to win the Scudetto.Even if not favored and if others have spent more. The Rossoneri have made an intelligent campaign. On the other hand, my friend Maldini knows a lot about football and, if you look at the group he has put together, you will have confirmation."
On the Champions League:
"A wound opens up for me… You've seen the calendar. First match: Liverpool-Milan. Do you know what it reminds me of? Istanbul. I scored a brace, at the end of the first half we win 3-0 and then we suffer an absurd comeback and lose on penalties. I, that night, never forgot it. So I make an appeal to the guys from Pioli: give me a rematch, beat Liverpool at Anfield, show them who is Milan. I know that in 2007 the Rossoneri have already took their revenge by taking the Champions League against the Reds, but reiterating their superiority never hurts."
On the goalkeeper:
"Gianluigi Donnarumma is very good. But, Mike Maignan will not make us regret Gigio's exit. Maignan has physique, quick reflexes, courage and personality."
On the defence:
"It is solid. And always proactive. And then there is someone like Florenzi who can always take over, let's not forget that. Theo, when he is in his best day, and he often is, becomes an added winger. Calabria has made incredible progress thanks to the teachings of Pioli and the patience of the managers who believed in him."
On the midfield:
"In theory, the two starters should be Kessie and Bennacer. But with Cagliari it was dominion thanks to Tonali and Krunic. Pioli has made them interchangeable, it is his great merit. They press, move the center of gravity forward, play modern and courageous football: able to contain and restart."
About the attacking midfield:
"I like Diaz very much. He has qualities, good feet and ideas. The important thing is that you don't think you have become a phenomenon, I know young people well and I know this is a risk. Leao is another talent who must never let his guard down, otherwise he loses focus. And then Messias arrived who has notable hits and it doesn't matter that he has never been to big clubs: if one is good, he is good at Crotone or at San Siro."
On the attack:
"It is fantastic, experienced strikers, physique and charisma. They drag the team with a single glance. Giroud moves a lot and is deadly in the area. I don't need to tell you about Ibrahimovic. The only perplexity concerns the athletic conditions: if they are well, no problem. One wonders if they can coexist: good players always can. I think, however, that it is more logical to think of alternation, there are also Champions League commitments."
On the improvements to be made:
"From the point of view of the game it is already at a good level. On a mental level, there will be more stresses because there is also the Champions League. European matches are nerve-wracking, I say this from experience. Pioli, who in my opinion has done an extraordinary job and should be considered more by critics, will have the task of managing forces and thinking of a wise turnover."
Could Milan win the Champions League?
"I say that you should never set limits. Serie A, however long and tiring, is more suited to the characteristics of the Rossoneri who do not yet have the international experience to aim for the maximum goal. But, sometimes, there are moments that become magical."
