«Milan from the Scudetto, even without Ibrahimovic. Pioli is a coach, he has ideas and personality »- Corriere.it

Head held high, insistent pressing, strong contrasts.
The same players a year ago showed fear, uncertainty, shyness. Now, on the other hand, they express courage and determination already in the way of moving, of charging, of attacking the game. With or without Ibrahimovic on the pitch. They know what to do and they do it, they are compact, they are team. And they were good at taking advantage of the empty stadiums too.

Do you also believe that without the public Milan has grown with more serenity?
San Siro when he mumbles you can hear it. It was inevitable that it could affect young people. The muffled, academy atmosphere gives them a hand: they can express themselves without the fear and anxiety of missing a step. But I think it was especially so in the summer. Now different self-esteem. I’m sure that, public or non-public, Milan would still be at the top today.

The key is serenity? Not having to win? Can’t raising expectations be a double-edged sword?
They play carefree, free, without obsessions, you see. But with a precise identity. They know what they want: to win. And they must continue like this. Now a delicate step will be up to Pioli, the company, the managers: we need to find the mental key to manage the moment, slowly raise the objectives without raising expectations.

In reality, however, there is still a certain skepticism around Milan. Sooner or later it melts, they are almost all kids, the thought of many.
One of the few certainties of football that young teams can only improve. The underestimation concerns something else, indeed another.

That means?
Pegs. He has enormous merits that in my opinion are not fully recognized. In the past, with Lazio, with Fiorentina, Stefano had shown that he was a coach, with ideas, personality. He needed time and trust. Keeping it this summer was the right choice. And now it shows.

A choice of trust for which the main merits must be given to Maldini. And to think that until a few months ago even he was not sure to stay.
A work of applause, that of Paolo. Even in team building.

How could this Milan improve further? In January the market reopens, the goal is a central defensive, in the front row there is Kabak of Schalke.
Yes, a defender would do well, playing on three fronts. But then that’s enough.

There would also be a deputy Ibra, a reserve center forward.
From a numerical point of view it could be there, but Milan has reached its balance, which is better to touch as little as possible. Even at the cost of taking a little risk.

Honestly: how much do the difficulties of the other greats affect the first place of the Rossoneri?
Inter and Juve have a technical background and choices that will clearly bring them back to being protagonists, they have big and rich squads. Lazio is an enigma, Atalanta depends on how the Champions continue, Napoli structured. But Milan, trust me, are there because they deserve it. And it can stay there until the end.