Milan Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was impressed by Mario Balotelli and Jeremy Menez, but “they’re still not good physically”.
The pair have been sidelined for most of the season with injury, but started tonight’s 5-0 win over Alessandria in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Menez got a brace and Balotelli added a goal of his own in the final minute, and the tactician praised them after the match.
Milan Coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was impressed by Mario Balotelli and Jeremy Menez, but “they’re still not good physically”.
The pair have been sidelined for most of the season with injury, but started tonight’s 5-0 win over Alessandria in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Menez got a brace and Balotelli added a goal of his own in the final minute, and the tactician praised them after the match.
“They’re two important players, but they’re not good physically,” Mihajlovic explained to Rai.
“Mario, Jeremy and Luiz Adriano – who will start training with us again tomorrow – will be crucial in the final sprint.
“Balo and Menez did well, but you can see that they’re far from top condition.
“Balotelli’s non-celebration? I can’t recall Mario ever celebrating after a goal. I’ve said that he must change his attitude, but today he ran and sacrificed himself for the team.
“He’s still not in shape.”
The Rossoneri have now secured their place in the Coppa final, giving Mihajlovic the chance to win his first trophy after joining from Sampdoria this summer.
“It was important to get to the final. It was also important to have the right attitude, win by a big margin and give those who have played less some minutes.
“We’re happy, we haven’t been in the final for 13 years and we’ve achieved our first objective of the season. When the game comes round we’ll try to win.
“Would we rather face Inter or Juventus? I don’t care. If I have to pick one I’ll say Juve, because if Juventus win the Scudetto we can play for two trophies, the final of the Coppa Italia and the Supercoppa.”
It has been suggested that 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could go to Euro 2016 as an understudy to Gigi Buffon, is he ready?
“He’s a starter for Milan, he’s a great prospect but [Azzurri CT Antonio] Conte knows who to call-up,” Mihajlovic responded.
“He’ll have a lifetime ahead of him to be the goalkeeper for the national team, now he has to think about Milan. He has to keep his feet on the ground and continue to work with humility.
“Milan and the national team have found a goalkeeper for the next 20 years.”