Arrigo Sacchi believes that putting up a fight for the Scudetto is a bridge too far for AC Milan this season, but he insisted that they must not lose focus in securing a top four spot.
Milan achieved a big win against Roma on Sunday night, emerging 3-1 victors at San Siro to put the disappointment of the Coppa Italia exit at the hands of Atalanta behind them.
The Rossoneri are now nine points above fifth place in the table yet they remain nine points above leaders Inter. While there are some reasons to be optimistic about a potential title battle, it seems more hope than anything.
With the Scudetto probably off the table and only the Europa League remaining, there is the possibility that the 2023-24 campaign could become another forgettable and trophy-less one.
Sacchi spoke during this morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport about the idea of Milan closing the gap to those ahead of them, starting with a dose of realism.
“It is true that football has the ability to enclose the emotions of a lifetime in 90 minutes, and therefore everything is possible, but it is It is equally true that Milan must now find a balance, on and off the pitch, and must demonstrate that they have continuity of performance.”
Are Inter and Juventus uncatchable?
“You know how I think: nothing is impossible, in football as in life. But logic says that now Inter and Juve have a considerable advantage and, therefore, it is best for the Rossoneri not to run too wild with their imagination and concentrate on what they have to do to improve.”
And then there is the Europa League, which is no small trophy…
“Far from it, it is a very important competition and Milan will do well if they aim for it. The important thing is that they continue along the growth path they seem to have undertaken, at least as seen against Roma.”
A convincing victory, right?
“I would say yes. Milan provided an excellent performance even though, as you know, I am very demanding: every now and then the team stretches too much and ends up struggling.”
How do you solve this?
“Pioli must put all his energy into ensuring that his boys are always compact. If they stay within 20-30 metres, they waste less energy, they help each other, they can collaborate. The distances between departments, in today’s football, are fundamental.”
The Rossoneri also seem to be growing from an athletic point of view: what do you think?
“It’s like this, against Roma they ran, they sprinted, they almost never stopped. You see, Milan faced a lot of problems in the first part of the season, but they are still third.
“This means that there are some technical and physical values, and we need to work on these for the real goal: to become a team and always play as a team.”
Who did you like against Roma?
“Gabbia, in defence, was very careful. It is true that Lukaku moved little, and therefore did not create serious danger. But Gabbia has shown that he has integrated well into the department.
“Calabria also did very well, both in the defensive phase and by helping the construction. Too bad about the mistake during the penalty. Certain oversights come at a high price.”
Did Adli convince you as a regista?
“Yes, and this makes me really happy. Of the three midfielders he was the one who convinced me the most. He distributes the game well and is always connected with the other departments.
“Now it’s about insisting and not settling or, worse, feeling like you’ve already arrived. I think Milan can grow in all areas of the pitch, the margins for improvement are notable.”
Leao is still fluctuating. What do you think?
“That’s how he does it, he goes in tears. He is a player who, if he had more consistency, he would be a champion. He must grow from a temperamental point of view, admittedly that this is possible.”
Do you believe that Milan could be the positive surprise of the second part of the season?
“I don’t see why they can’t be. They haven’t had an exciting journey so far, but he has everything to turn and take the right path. The important thing is that they don’t think about the league, that they don’t put pressure on themselves and that they do what their coach wants.
“Milan, when they play with eleven men, are strong. The problem is that they don’t always play with eleven – sometimes with five or six. This is the aspect that needs to be corrected.”
What goal would you set for the Rossoneri?
“Only one: finding continuity of performance. With continuity come results. And then they must earn the fans’ respect through commitment, sacrifice and dedication to work.
“If they behave in this way, the final ranking position does not matter: they will have done their duty and the players will have honoured the shirt they wear.
“Don’t think about Inter and Juve, the Rossoneri: let’s make their own journey and then take stock. This is the best method to have satisfactory results.”
I think a midfield with Adli as regista and Bennacer/Reijnders as Mezzala’s could be a very exciting and skillful midfield.
The 2nd half of the season can still be positive if we can get such a lineup playing consistently while also giving opportunity to the youngsters.
What we all want to see is the growth of this team
“You know how I think: nothing is impossible, in football as in life.”
I’m thoroughly convinced that if we find a consistent run of form wed be right back up in the hunt
I’m not as optimistic, we simply won a game against an oppent we generally tend to look good against. We don’t seem to have found a winning formula for the big games, we’re never 2 or 3 games away from an injury and the leader simply doesn’t seem to lose points.