Milan technical director Paolo Maldini dreams of winning the Scudetto, said Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud can play together in the future and stressed the ‘team is even stronger than last year’.
Olivier Giroud starts his first Serie A game against Sampdoria in the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, you can follow the action as it happens on the Liveblog here.
Maldini was asked if the two strikers are too similar to play together.
“The idea is to always let the best players play,” Maldini told Sky Sport Italia. “If they are OK, why shouldn’t they play together?
“They have similar physical structures but have different characteristics and Ibrahimovic can also act as an advanced playmaker.”
Milan finished second in Serie A 2020-21 and Maldini stressed they continue with ‘last year’s base’ and are still strong, despite losing some key players this summer.
“We start from last year’s base, so I would say so,” Maldini added. “In tonight’s line-up, there are five key players missing compared to last year, but I would like to say that the team is stronger.
“We must finish some things on the market and then the team will be complete.”
The fans are back in the stadiums after a full year without the public.
“We have already had fans in the friendlies, and I must say that in the beggining you are almost blown away by the noise” Maldini said.
“For all the players and for the coach it’s essential to have the fans in the stadium because otherwise it’s another sport. It’s beautiful and incredible.”
Pietro Pellegri has reportedly arrived and Maldini said it’s a move for the future.
“It’s no secret that Ibrahimovic is 40 and Giroud is 35. We are one of the youngest teams in the League and we want to continue on this path this season too.
“We must also look to the future.”
Franck Kessie has said he wants to stay at Milan and is currently negotiating a new deal with the club, who has yet to meet his demands.
“I think there’s a common line in talking about a renewal and a signing,” the director added. “We must act following sustainability, without going beyond certain lines dictated by the ownership.
“In the past, we have done it and we have paid for it.”
Maldini then added that Milan continue to dream about winning the Scudetto this term.
“I have always liked dreaming,” he said. “Then, as [Fabio] Capello says, it’s right to be realistic, but nobody is being denied dreaming.”
MALDINI: ‘MILAN ARE STRONGER THIS YEAR’ by losing 2 key players like Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hakan Calhanoglu ? Alessio Romagnoli will follow to exit ? WOW…..