Former Milan star Roberto Donadoni believes the Rossoneri ‘can certainly aim for the Scudetto’ and said the players will ‘grow’ with the challenges in the Champions League this term.
The former Milan player and Italy coach was interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport and shared his thoughts about the current situation at the Diavolo.
The Rossoneri finished second in Serie A 2020-21 and Donadoni believes coach Stefano Pioli’s men can fight for the title thanks to the ‘continuity of management’ at Milanello.
“Milan can certainly aim for the Scudetto,” Donadoni told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I see a group of very strong teams that are equal.
“I don’t see who among Milan, Juventus, Inter, Lazio, Napoli and Roma can break free from the others and if any of them are technically more competitive.
“Milan cancel the advantage thanks to the continuity of management: if the others need a period of adaptation, then Pioli won’t.
“Stefano is very good and has an organised club that supports him.”
Milan return to the Champions League and were given a tough task in the group stage, as the Rossoneri are drawn Atletico Madrid, Liverpool and FC Porto in the Champions League this year.
“The group is objectively difficult, but the teams and players grow with challenges like this,” Donadoni continued.
“Advancing from such a group cannot be the minimum goal, it’s something more. And if you go through, you can have your say all the way.”
Donnarumma felt Milan made decisions for the future when they didn’t match the demands of Gigio Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu.
The two stars left the Rossoneri after 2020-21 as free agents, when their contracts with the Rossoneri expired. Donnarumma moved to Paris Saint-Germain and Calhanoglu switched to local rivals Inter.
“The choices were made to build a top team and the target was achieved. Gigio is one of the four best goalkeepers in the world, but Maignan is also valid and started well,” the former Italy coach said.
“Calhanoglu did well but he hasn’t always been present. And if a player gives his best for half the championship, it doesn’t satisfy me.
“They have been replaced well: there hasn’t been a single signing that guarantees the leap in quality, but those are now reserved for others. Milan made prudent, studied choices that I agree with.”
But the former midfielder is worried about pairing Olivier Giroud with Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I don’t see it easy [for Girioud] to live with Ibra, maybe in certain moments of the game. Giroud is a man of the area, of weight.
“He’s not a striker or a player who solves games with a technical movement, but he has great experience, and he always scored his goals.
“To see him alongside Zlatan, it will be necessary that the others behind them do a great job.”
Brahim Diaz returned from Real Madrid this summer and has been given the No. 10 jersey at San Siro.
“The number is a detail, it only serves as a reminder that a young player like this must be given all the more trust and the possibility of making mistakes,” the former Rossonero added. “Without constantly approaching him with this or that former No. 10.
“It’s important to play the role in a functional way: Brahim moves a lot, he’s an annoying player for his opponents. He can improve in personality.”
Sandro Tonali remained at Milan and Donadoni expects him to grad the opportunity in his second season with the club.
“He had a year of adaptation,” Donadoni continued. “Last year, I saw him do good things, but also moments when he conveyed a bit of insecurity.
“This must be his year. He must take advantage of the competition with [Ismael] Bennacer and [Franck] Kessie. It can be good for all three.”
Milan signed Junior Messias on loan from Crotone before the transfer window closed and the attacker has convinced Donadoni from his first season in Serie A.
“At Crotone, he impressed me. Milan is another story, but if he has enough personality, he could be an added value.
“The technical qualities are indisputable, really excellent. The opponents jump, he’s not afraid to take them on and allows numerical superiority.”
The opponents jump?
What the hell is that supposed to mean?!