Ex-Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi was impressed by the Rossoneri’s 2-0 win over Bologna but believes the Rossoneri and Christian Pulisic can still improve, especially defensively.
The Serie A giants started off the new Serie A campaign on the right foot, securing a comfortable victory away at Bologna on Monday.
Pulisic scored on his Serie A debut and Sacchi praised the USMNT international.
“He scored a great goal and I liked how he moved on the wing,” the ex-Italy and Milan boss told Gazzetta.
“He must learn how to help defensively. Tijjani Reijnders is a proper footballer. He did all well. His late runs have the right tempo, he knows when he must play deep or when it’s preferable to play horizontally.”
The 25-year-old completed 100% of his 27 passes at the Stadio Dall’Ara and delivered the assist for Olivier Giroud’s opener early in the first half.
“He is an intriguing player and I will follow him closely,” continued Sacchi.
“He proved that he always knows what to do when he has the ball. This means that he thinks in advance, which is an advantage.
“I was curious to see Pioli’s group and I had some doubts, considering the many new summer signings,” the ex-coach added.
“I must admit they played a good game, goals came quite easily and the team dominated.
“However, I think they can be even more aggressive and press more. If they pick 4-3-3 as their system, wingers must track back more frequently to press the opponents. This wasn’t always done on the left with Leao, who doesn’t have the attitude to do this. He should press and attack the spaces, he has the quality to do it.”
Pioli may not agree with Sacchi’s claims, given that he praised Rafael Leao at the end of the game, saying the Portuguese ended a match with cramps for the first time, suggesting he had put in a big effort to help the team defensively.
Milan’s second game of the season, the first one at home, is against Torino this coming Saturday.