Italian football manager Arrigo Sacchi has claimed AC Milan are in contention for the Scudetto this season, even if Juventus are still “super favourites”.
The Milanese club, currently managed by Gennaro Gattuso, begin their domestic league campaign at the weekend against last year’s runners-up, Napoli.
Milan have signed well this summer, to build on the good work done last season in the transfer window. The most exciting addition to the club being Gonzalo Higuain, who has joined the club on loan from Juventus – a move made possible thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to the Bianconerri.
And Sacchi, who managed Milan, Italy and Atletico Madrid among other clubs, believes his former team can go all the way this season, despite their long period outside the country’s elite.
“I’ll repeat what I said half an hour ago to my beach neighbour here at Milano Marittima: Milan can win the Scudetto,” Sacchi began, speaking to Corriere della Sera, via Football Italia.
“I’ll explain. Juve aren’t favourites, they’re super-favourites. But at the same time I’m convinced that [Coach Gennaro] Gattuso, a person to be admired and an extraordinary professional, will succeed in making a leap in quality.
“They can play for the Scudetto, and in that sense Saturday’s match against Napoli will be extremely important. To be clear: not the result, the performance.”
He continued: “It’s a very open match. Milan must play with their heads held high, with the mentality of the great old Milan.
“If they do that, the self-esteem of the group will increase dramatically. Last year they had a young squad, but now I think they’ve grown and improved.
“I’ve known many of those lads since the national youth teams – Caldara, [Alessio] Romagnoli; fantastic lads.
“I know their human value, I know how generous and motivated they are. You won’t go wrong with them. Then there’s Higuain, who is a guarantee.
“Above all though there’s the club, Leonardo and [Paolo] Maldini have history, competence and charisma. That was essential, because the club comes before anything.
“The rest – the team, the players – is a consequence.”
Milan clash with Napoli on Saturday in the Serie A at home. Napoli have already enjoyed success this season after picking up three points against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico last weekend.
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