Arrigo Sacchi calls Juventus’ Paulo Dybala “a phenomenon” but says Inter’s Mauro Icardi must “improve as a man”.
The legendary former Milan Coach gave a long interview to La Nacion in Argentina, and gave his opinion of some of the Albiceleste’s Serie A stars.
“I spoke to [Milan President] Silvio Berlusconi two years ago, and I told him to get Maurizio Sarri when he was Empoli Coach,” Sarri revealed.
Arrigo Sacchi calls Juventus’ Paulo Dybala “a phenomenon” but says Inter’s Mauro Icardi must “improve as a man”.
The legendary former Milan Coach gave a long interview to La Nacion in Argentina, and gave his opinion of some of the Albiceleste’s Serie A stars.
“I spoke to [Milan President] Silvio Berlusconi two years ago, and I told him to get Maurizio Sarri when he was Empoli Coach,” Sarri revealed.
“Also Dybala as a player, who was then at Palermo. Dybala is a phenomenon, he’s a great player and a great guy. I always look at the man first.
“When I signed Frank Rijkaard I sent a man I trusted to [Real] Zaragoza for 20 days to watch how he trained, what he ate, how he behaved with rivals and teammates.
“When I was wrong, I was wrong about the man and not about the footballer. Dybala is fantastic and I’m sure he’s going to improve a lot.
“Icardi as a man is less reliable than Dybala. If he improves as a man he’ll grow because he also has a lot of talent.
“Gonzalo Higuain? He had an incredible, incredible season and therefore he costs a lot [€90m]. Do you know the world of football? It’s run on emotions, and he gives great emotions.
“Now, the money being spent is a lot… I have fear looking at the future, because football could break with excessive leadership or business.”
Sacchi was then asked for his memories of Diego Maradona, as well as a comparison with Lionel Messi.
“Playing against Maradona was the worst thing that could happen. I’ve never seen anyone like him, a player who could create something out of nothing.
“One afternoon at Milan, we were playing a good game with 15 or 20 minutes gone. Diego gets the ball, dribbles past two players and sets it up for Careca. 1-0 to them. I never saw a player make such a difference.
“Messi? Messi is the best player in the world today, but he doesn’t have the personality of Diego. Maradona could play anywhere.
“In Italy, beautiful football isn’t played. It might be a bit better now, but a very difficult style is always played, it stops you having a lot of possession. Yet Diego made the difference in Italy and Spain.
“Messi has won a lot more and with considerably more ease at Barcelona than with with Argentina. What’s missing? A clearly defined playing style.
“I always told Silvio Berlusconi that if a movie doesn’t a top script, even with the best actors in the world like Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson or [George] Clooney, do you think it’ll become a hit film?
“No, because the plot is missing. Football is the same, you need to have 11 players with a lot of motivation, 11 players with a strong team spirit.
“Look at Germany who always manage to win or be up there. Because they have a plan. Argentina are always among the favourites but maybe you need more cohesion, more team spirit.
“Leo doesn’t have the enthusiasm for it at the moment but I think he will change his mind because he has a debt with football, with the fans, with Argentina…because of that he has to return.
“As for Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano is an example of a great professional. He doesn’t have the talent of Messi, but he’s a great player.
“Once I went to Real Madrid to see Carlo Ancelotti and Ronaldo was already working out in the dressing room before the others got there.”