Fabio Capello analysed Milan’s difficulties this season, offering some advice to Stefano Pioli and suggesting ideas ahead of the January transfer window.
The Rossoneri have struggled to impress this term, crashing out of the Champions League in the group stage and sitting 11 points behind league leaders Inter after 17 matches. Injuries and poor form have hampered their campaign so far, concerning supporters.
Pressure has also continued to mount on Pioli, with some believing a change is in order after more than four years at the helm. Despite this, Milan have maintained faith in the coach ahead of the second half of the season.
Speaking on page 13 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello first weighed in on Milan’s various issues this season.
“Now it makes no sense to change coach, but Pioli must find solutions. Continuing along the same line is not good. We need to understand where to act: defence, midfield, attack. Two years ago, Pioli had a formidable midfield at its disposal, with Tonali, Kessie, Bennacer, Calhanoglu.
“What it is now is not clear, but the midfield is the engine of the team. I would act there, even if with so many absences it’s not easy. The teams that use counterattacks put Milan in difficulty, we’ve seen that several times. I would work on this and try to have a more attentive defence.
“In the meantime, we could try new tactical solutions in defence. But the psychological aspect is also fundamental. Tactics provide remedies, but they can’t do everything. Playing as a unit wouldn’t be the remedy for all ills, but it would help. In this way, Milan could be less aggressive, but more orderly.
“And at this moment it’s important to have balance and filter. I repeat, the midfield has changed a lot and is now neither fish nor fowl. I hope for Milan that Bennacer returns to being the player he was before his physical problems.
“I would change my way of thinking. In a defence without Tomori, Kjaer and Thiaw, there are many absentees. The central players are missing. We need to shake things up, change direction. But sacking Pioli now wouldn’t do much good.”
He tried to find the reason behind the Rossoneri’s injury troubles this term.
“I may be old-fashioned, but I think little preparation has been done to go and play in the USA or elsewhere, like many teams do. Go and play immediately for commercial reasons, then you pay the price.
“We should start working again in stages, but when you meet great teams, even in a friendly, nobody wants to lose. Now they have to deal with so many injuries, it’s complicated.”
The former coach analysed the club’s work in the transfer market.
“I would’ve signed two quality elements that change the team, not many prospects. Pioli, from what I read, approved everything. Let’s say he was corporate and condescending and now he has to correct the situation.
“Everything is still at stake. Of course, elimination from the Champions League hurts, but we shouldn’t get too emotional. But here, maybe enough with the algorithms.”
He reflected on Milan’s decision to dismiss director Paolo Maldini in the summer.
“If a management group makes a decision, it means that they are convinced of the goodness of the choice. Beyond the abilities of Maldini and Massara, who did a good job, now it is a question of moving forward, because I repeat, there is still a lot at stake.”
Finally, Capello discussed the qualities of former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has returned to Milan in a backroom role.
“He was a champion and he is an intelligent person. The problem is that from the statement written in political dialect it is not clear what role he has.
“A technical role? The risk is that he will undermine Pioli’s leadership. The problem is not his ego, but what he is supposed to do in a practical way. I honestly don’t understand it and therefore it’s difficult to talk about it.”