Paolo Maldini identifies the keys to Milan success and has praise for Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso. ‘He is constantly evolving.’
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“Our recent history shows us that Milan have many faces, but must never miss the spirit we saw in 2020 and 2021,” the club legend and director told Sky Sport Italia.
Paolo Maldini identifies the keys to Milan success and has praise for Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso. ‘He is constantly evolving.’
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
“Our recent history shows us that Milan have many faces, but must never miss the spirit we saw in 2020 and 2021,” the club legend and director told Sky Sport Italia.
“This spirit has always been there. It’s just that changing many players, sometimes the quality can vary.
“Zlatan Ibrahimovic is obviously precious to us both for what he does on the field and off it with his leadership in the locker room.”
The Rossoneri continue to churn out good results despite their injury crisis, including a 1-1 draw away to Manchester United on Thursday.
“The club has worked in a certain way, the coach aligned with the ideas of the club, the players showed their talent and there are many components that came together.
“I think you can have good periods of form with a few of these elements missing, but to be this consistent over time, it means everyone is working in the same direction.”
Do Milan see tonight’s game as a way of keeping up the Scudetto hopes or of locking down a Champions League spot?
“I think both are valid, as a victory would more or less push all those in fifth place to five points away and at the same time keep up with Inter.”
Franck Kessie impressed at Old Trafford, prompting a great deal of Premier League speculation. Have Milan discussed a contract extension?
“We have already made steps for Kessie, for Calabria and the others whose contract expire in 2022. We haven’t achieved any of the objectives yet, but we’re working on them.”
This is the first time Rino Gattuso has returned to San Siro as an opponent against Milan, now sitting on the Napoli bench.
“He is a coach who is constantly evolving. We had a hug in the tunnel. I think the greatest thing about Gattuso is that he has an open mind to new ideas, even different ones that he was accustomed to, because football is constantly evolving.”