Former AC Milan and Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi discussed the top teams in Serie A currently, the title race and Inter in a long editorial in yesterday’s paper edition of the Milano based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
First, he spoke about the Rossoneri.
“Competent managers and a press that helps cultural growth would benefit the system and encourage the work of coaches and players. AC Milan are an example, first with merit, they play well and entertain. they are young, the club has a great history and shows a high level of competence.
“Also, thanks to such a determined and willing squad, Pioli has been able to give an excellent organisation that allows automatic responses to the players, who are growing individually thanks to the collective.
“They are young, they don’t have the experience and quality of rivals like Juve, Inter and Roma, but they have a great desire to impress.”
He moved onto speaking about coach Antonio Conte’s Inter. They are currently a single point behind the Rossoneri in the league table after 14 games.
“Antonio Conte is a guarantee, the game and the organisation will grow. Today he has individual values and investments definitely superior to Milan but collectively, at the moment, they are not.
“I think Antonio will work to improve transitions and possession, he will give consistency and more mastery. When they improve as a collective only Juve could be superior in terms of individual and club values.”
The former Italy coach, who guided the Azzurri to the 1994 World Cup final, commented on Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus, who sit sixth in the league after 13 games.
“Pirlo is facing a difficult problem to solve, many players are not able to find the competitive fury, enthusiasm and determination that have always been one of the strengths of the Bianconeri.
“Juventus’ game has never reached high heights, they have remained tactical with European rivals who were already strategic.
“This is one of the reasons why they have always struggled at international level. Transformations should be made when things are working, you are more receptive. Peter Drucker, a philosopher, used to say, ‘If something works, correct it.”
Finally, Sacchi discussed the other teams at the top of the table that can look to get involved in the title race this season.
“Roma play good modern football, but they lack history and consistency. If Fonseca’s men manage to give their lives to football, they could become serious contenders for success. The ideas are there, but Rome is too beautiful and history does not help.
“After last year’s splendid season, Lazio are also struggling to find consistency. Atalanta, Sassuolo and Verona cannot be expected to do things that their investments do not justify. Let’s applaud the beauty of their play, work and courage.”
Conte’s Inter have a slight advantage in the second half of the season compared to their competition in the title race, in that they do not have to play in any European competitions.
