Riccardo Montolivo says Milan’s struggles this season are down to their mentality, and discusses Mario Balotelli and Fernando Torres.
The Rossoneri are currently eighth in Serie A after a draw with Torino and a home defeat to Sassuolo since the winter break, but the Italian international doesn’t believe it’s a lack of quality which is hampering the team.
“Our problem is mental,” Montolivo explained to Gazzetta dello Sport.
Riccardo Montolivo says Milan’s struggles this season are down to their mentality, and discusses Mario Balotelli and Fernando Torres.
The Rossoneri are currently eighth in Serie A after a draw with Torino and a home defeat to Sassuolo since the winter break, but the Italian international doesn’t believe it’s a lack of quality which is hampering the team.
“Our problem is mental,” Montolivo explained to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We’ve failed to stay switched on and focused for 90 minutes. That’s the difference between a great team, and one like us which has ‘only’ great players.
“We struggle a bit against those who look to sit deep and defend, because we have fast players, almost counter-attackers.
“What’s the right League position for Milan? For now, the one we have. Juve and Roma are stronger than us.
“But with the right spirit and the work we’re doing to grow from a mental point of view we can compete with everyone else.
“Tactically we can play with a classic centre-forward, or [Jeremy] Menez who makes attacking movements. That’s not what has affected our performance.
“I prefer a striker who likes to run deep, it’s easier to give them the ball. Could we play 4-2-3-1? We’d risk being ultra-attacking, because of the characteristics of our wingers, but personally I wouldn’t have problems, I played that role well for [Clarence] Seedorf and [Cesare] Prandelli.
“To me, Napoli seem the team best equipped for third place. It’s true that [Silvio] Berlusconi doesn’t think so, but that’s because the President dreams big.
“We have to deal with that reality, he has undeniable charisma and each time he visits us [at Milanello] it makes us happy and gives us a boost, talking to him is exciting.
“Inter? We hope to make third place ahead of them. This is the time for us to look in the mirror and ask what we want to be.”
The Milan captain also discussed the departures of Mario Balotelli and Fernando Torres, and gave his opinions on the struggles of the two strikers.
“Torres had problems adapting and because of Menez’s explosion in form. Torres is a great guy.
“When I think back to Balotelli, the first thing I do is laugh. Mario was fun, he’s a good guy.
“I think it’s a shame we didn’t see his talent every Sunday. Even in training we saw it in flashes. Balotelli needs to get his priorities in order.”