“They thought the second Scudetto would be easy” – Corriere.it

On the eve of the derby, the former Rossoneri flag Billy Costacurta analyzed the situation at Milan in an interview with Agi, encompassing the crisis of the team that last year was crowned champion of Italy in three reasons. “Milan’s problems – said Costacurta – concern three aspects: individual performances that are no longer brilliant, an insufficient departmental movement, but above all a lack of filter up front”. The former defender described Sunday’s derby against Inter as “unbalanced”: “Accelerated by the stoppage of the World Cup with so many players from the two Milanese sides, which caused us to lose lucidity and concentration”. For Costacurta it is premature to reject the transfer campaign even if so far the contribution of the new players has been disappointing: «If I start criticizing Maldini and Massara, it will certainly not be this year. Players need more than a few months,” he explained. And among the many AC Milan champions who in the past were “waited” before they broke through, Costacurta mentions “Shevchenko who wasn’t seen very well at the start” and “Kaka who didn’t express himself well at the San Siro”.

The scudetto effect won

With the necessary differences: «In my day it was easier to fit into a “squadron”, so I always refer to Tonali and Leao, who needed time, but then showed what they can do”. So how do we get up from this dark moment? «It takes a continuity of attitude, of concentration which is not easy to find again – underlined Costacurta – I believe that the scudetto won last year made the group think that winning back would have been just as easy. I say this because it happened to us too, of winning the Scudetto in ’99 with Zaccheroni and the following year closing the season in third place with a gap of many points from the first».

Champions goal

A leader who would be able to bring the light back to the Rossoneri for Costacurta is «Giroud, the most ready to shoulder all the others». A leader from his Milan then recalls: «Baresi was extraordinary, he had a very positive ambition, he never let you relax». The former Lombard defender, now 56, believes that “reinforcements are not needed because within the squad there are all the qualities to win again and qualify for the Champions League, which is Milan’s real goal”. «The goal of the Champions League round of 16 has already been achieved for this year, it’s true that Tottenham too aren’t going through a good moment. There is time to get back in shape and a healthy Milan could do it».

Trust in Pioli

In his opinion, the most disappointing players include «Giroud, Leao and Theo Hernandez who, however, will be the same ones who must necessarily take back the team». Costacurta continues to trust Pioli: “I know he’s working well, even if right now he can’t get out of it.” Probable new solutions in view of Sunday’s derby: “It could help a three-man midfield because now the defense is not well covered”, observes Costacurta, “in this way we will have more solidity”. Between Kessie and Maignan, who is missing the most in Milan? «It would seem Kessie, but in reality all those players who were performing very well up to a month ago are missing».