Legendary defender Alessandro Costacurta has shared his thoughts on a number of topics related to AC Milan from the semi-final against Inter to potential signings for the summer window.
The words of Stefano Pioli and Sandro Tonali in the press conferences on the eve of the game made it clear that they really believed in a potential comeback against Inter, but in the end the 2-0 first leg defeat proved to be too big a task to overturn.
In the end Milan did not only fail to mount a challenge but they also lost the second leg too as Lautaro Martinez sealed the Nerazzurri’s trip to Turkey for the final on June 10. It is the fourth defeat in a row in the derby for the Rossoneri, and their fourth without scoring.
Costacurta spoke in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the current moment that Milan find themselves in after a disappointing defeat against their city rivals in Europe.
Milan were eliminated by Inter and it always hurts. In view of next year, how do you move forward?
“Speaking to those who have not been to their level. There are those who have played below their standard and we need to understand why.”
Are we talking about De Ketelaere?
“In another environment he has done really well and for me he is a good player. He looks scared but I see a margin for growth.”
Have you ever seen such a difficult first year in the great Milan of the past?
“The point is that everything was different. Il Genio [Savicevic] when he arrived was the runner-up in the Ballon d’Or but he did not start with extraordinary months. At the time, however, the team was holding up on its own, while now reinforcements are essential.”
Would you go ahead with Maldini and Pioli or not?
“Go ahead with everyone. They did a great job again this year, with the semi-final of the Champions League. However, it is clear that qualifying for the next edition will greatly influence the judgment.”
In what sense?
“It is not correct to say that the season has been disappointing – or unsuccessful, without bothering Antetokounmpo – and then I believe that Milan will qualify for the next Champions League.
“I know that fourth place is fundamental economically but one certainly could not think of mentally abandoning the Champions League for this.”
Among various problems, which is the main one?
“The output of the reserve players.”
Among the starters, however, as a defender, don’t you think that Kalulu and Tomori have disappointed?
“Yes I agree. Last season they were the real secret for the Scudetto and Kalulu’s growth impressed me a lot, because I didn’t know him. In recent months, however, they have made a lot of mistakes. I’m very surprised.”
What happened?
“When you have such rapid growth and you suddenly find yourself starting, a difficult season can happen. Tomori, on the other hand, I thought he would no longer make mistakes, I thought he had reached maturity.”
If two offers come in – one for Kalulu, one for Tomori – who would you sell?
“I say Tomori. Also because the offer would probably be higher.”
And if there was the budget for just one big buy, which player would you use it for?
“For a striker… even if the forwards are sought after by everyone.”
Can you name a name?
“I would sign someone like Scamacca. There is a shortage of strikers with those qualities and Milan can be the right environment. Another player I like is Sesko, 2003 from Salzburg. A bit raw but young, strong.”
It gives me great Boost that Coastcort flowedthe same Anylist i made before that was to sell Tomori.
I also beliefe Calabria will never bring real.end result.
Kalulu is the best for Right side or even sell Kalalu and replace Dodo of Fiorentina and Bokoune of our Primacera.
Yeeeaah, but it still doesn’t make sense does it? I love Billy, but he’s not an economist. Given Tomori’s inconsistency, how much do you think a club would offer? 40m sounds about right. How much do you think Kalulu is worth? Maybe 30m? Let’s be conservative and and say 25m. So we paid 28m for Tomori. If we sold him for 40m that’s 40m – 28m = 12m profit. We paid 500k for Kalulu. If we sold him for 25m that’s 25m – 500k – 24.5m profit. That’s literally double the profit received for Tomori. We’re not even talking about wages yet (those expenses need to be deducted from the profit of a sale as well for the true value), and I’m sure Tomori is more expensive than Kalulu, further hurting profits there. So I think you and Costacurta are wrong.
You’re missing the point. The reason he suggested Tomori is because Tomori has the same flaws that probably prevented him from making it at Chelsea. His concentration levels are poor and he’s bad in the air, he’s average height for a centre back and at 25, it’s the ideal time to cash in on him. Thiaw has had a better season, is much younger and bigger, Tomori isn’t needed and some idiot EPL club will put in a high bid for him. Kalulu is 22 and has only been a regular first team player for 3 years, he has room for growth.
Savicecic in his 1s season at Milan played for a hard nosed coach like Capello, which he had a bad relationship with, because of disciplinary reasons, not because he was playing like trash.
In his first season in serie A he only played in 10 games, 700+ minutes 4 goals , 4 assists.
In the Copa 4 games , 3 goals 4 assists
In UCL 3 games , O g, Oa.
Savicecic talent and play was never in question.
Plus Savicecic competition at that time were VanBasten, Gulit, Papin, Massaro, Marco Simone, Boban, Donadoni and even Gianluigi Lentini who was the most expensive transfer in the world at the time.
CDK competition is Brahim Diaz. Enough said.
CDK might come good next season, might not but let’s not smear other players names just so we can find something to explain anl all time worst season by a big money signing in the clubs history. It’s not comparable with Savicecic, nor with Tonali or Leao.
Only comparison is Caldara, but at least that man had an excuse since he tore his Achilles and his ACL in his 1st season.
Well said @Z on savicevic.
Remember that back then there was a Serie A limit on foreigners. So Savicevic’ competition was essentially every non-Italian in the squad, even the likes of Rijkaard who didn’t play same position. And we had a ballistic squad then, stuff full of world class players.
Dejan showed some talent, same as even some of our youngsters now eg Leao, Tonali etc. There’s no comparison with CDK as he’s showed nothing, neither talent nor desire. At least f*cking try … the guy gives up the moment he steps onto the field.
We spent a lot on him, unlikely to recoup. Management will give him next season I’m sure, then I reckon a loan coming if he doesn’t impress.
As Billy implied, Savicevic was already established as a brilliant player, having won the European Cup with Red Star and finishing 2nd in the Ballon D’or to that fraud Papin.