Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has spoken about his plans for the club’s return to the top, dreaming of the 2016 Champions League Final.
The Rossoneri’s shared San Siro will host that event in 18 months’ time and the club’s owner and long-standing President has suggested his side will be improved and on the rise by then.
Milan President Silvio Berlusconi has spoken about his plans for the club’s return to the top, dreaming of the 2016 Champions League Final.
The Rossoneri’s shared San Siro will host that event in 18 months’ time and the club’s owner and long-standing President has suggested his side will be improved and on the rise by then.
“I think football goes in cycles, with years of success followed by a lull and then new victories,” Berlusconi has told Gazzetta Dello Sport.
“The fans should rest assured, the team is already competitive and soon we will be back to being leaders in Europe.
“In 2016 the Champions League Final will be in Milan. Why shouldn’t we dream of being there?”
Berlusconi has this season changed his routine and visits the squad every Friday.
“To tell the truth I have always been occupied with Milan, even when I did not go to Milanello.
“But now I have more time at Milan and there is a nice atmosphere, a new Coach with a lot of desire to win and I hope to make a good contribution for the return of Milan to being a protagonists, in Italy, in Europe, in the world, as they have always been in the last 30 years.”
Milan have enjoyed a decent start to life under new manager Filippo Inzaghi, and currently sit fifth in the League, three points from a Champions League berth.
“To Inzaghi I’d give an eight out of 10. He’s done some good work. The squad is at the beginning of a reconstruction, we are organising our play and motivating everyone at the club.
“Inzaghi has already demonstrated that he possesses the humility, respect for others and ability to motivate that are essential to his role.
“As for the team it’s too early to give a rating, though I might give them an encouraging seven, as that’s the number of Menez, one of the many new signings who has been promising.
“I believe though that we can be a more complete side from January onwards. This is a new team which needs time.
“We are working to rebuild a winning Milan. In recent years we have lost some champions, but the recovery has already started.
“We have reinforced more than Juve and Roma, our goal is to return to Europe.”
Berlusconi, who commented on his hope that daughter Barbara will succeed him as President one day, had some harsh words for former Milan striker Mario Balotelli. The 24-year old was sold to Liverpool in the summer after just a season-and-a-half with Milan.
“He was bought against my advice. Now there are no more bad apples.”