Alessandro Costacurta has praised a number of the key figures at AC Milan from Stefano Pioli to Paolo Maldini, believing that the Rossoneri were worthy Scudetto winners.
The defender nicknamed ‘Billy’ is a man who knows how to win with the red and black shirt given he spent over twenty years with Milan between 1986 and 2007, forming one of the best defences football has ever seen alongside Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini and Mauro Tassotti.
He worked under two of the great Italian managers in Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello too, winning 7 Serie A titles and 5 Champions League/European Cup trophies along with many other honours, and even played until the age of 41.
Costacurta gave an interview to Tuttosport in which he spoke about a number of different topics related to the Rossoneri both last season and in the present campaign, with his comments relayed by PianetaMilan.
On Milan: “For me they were the best team of 2022, they won a truly deserved title.”
On Pioli: “I remember when he arrived in October 2019 what was said about him, that he had never won the league which was a limit for someone to lead a team like Milan. He has followed his path, he has grown and for this reason I choose him as the Scudetto architect.”
On Pioli and Ancelotti: “A comparison that suits us perfectly. Both Emilians from the same areas, when they arrived at Milan they didn’t have a winning label. Thanks to his character, Carlo had been able to build a great group and Stefano reminds me of him very much in this. He created empathy with all his players. They really have a lot in common.”
On Maldini: “I’ve known Paolo for 40 years, I know who he is and what he could give, I had no doubts that he could be an excellent director.”
On De Ketelaere: “It’s right to wait for him even if he’s lacking in character and he has to demonstrate that he has it. He has to demonstrate a different attitude.”
On a possible new Milan era: “Absolutely. The work done by Milan is very interesting and from my point of view this Milan has the possibility of participating in the Champions League for the next 4-5 years.”
On Leao: “The situation seems clear enough to me: there is a limit to everything and Milan have set limits with this management. If Leao were to play in a great World Cup and a team with an important offer showed up in January, I would let him go.”
On Ibrahimovic: “I expect the usual contribution, i.e. quality plays with the ability to involve all his team-mates. Giroud is doing his thing, but he doesn’t exalt the others like Ibra. Even at 50% Zlatan remains stronger than Giroud.”
On Inter and Milan’s round of 16 opponents in the Champions League: “They’ll be balanced round of 16 ties, but both can get through.”
