Milan can forget about the Serie A title; it's better to focus on the Champions League

Arrigo Sacchi, the legendary coach who redefined football with his tactical innovations and led AC Milan to two Champions League titles and a Serie A triumph, has delivered a sharp critique of his former team following their lackluster goalless draw against Juventus in the 13th round of Serie A.

The match, which took place at San Siro under the guidance of current manager Paulo Fonseca, left Sacchi unimpressed and deeply concerned about Milan's direction this season.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi expressed his disappointment with Milan's performance, highlighting their struggles to keep pace with Serie A’s leading teams in the race for the Scudetto. The former Italian national team coach suggested that the "Rossoneri" should shift their focus away from the league title and instead aim to advance as far as possible in the Champions League, a competition he believes might better suit the current squad.

“I was at San Siro to watch Milan-Juventus, motivated above all by the curiosity to see in person two teams that have yet to fully express their potential in terms of play, both in the league and in the Champions League,” Sacchi began. “Well, I witnessed a match that could not have been duller there was not a shred of excitement. If the ‘Bianconeri’ were missing several players, and perhaps their bland performance was justified, Milan truly disappointed me. The boos from the fans were completely understandable given how little they saw, which was the only shock on a negative night. I had Franco Baresi and Daniele Massaro next to me, and watching the slow pace of the game, I said to them: ‘If it continues like this, you could play too and surely make a good impression!’”

Sacchi’s critique went beyond the lack of entertainment, delving into the deeper issues plaguing Milan. “What Milan is producing at the moment is not satisfactory, and the fans are deeply disappointed. Some have overly optimistic confidence and still see Milan as a Scudetto contender. I maintain that they can forget about it. There are too many teams ahead of them, teams that are moving at a breakneck pace and have a very clear playing identity. It’s difficult for Milan to stage a major recovery, especially since they have many issues to resolve before reaching a high level,” he added.

Milan’s current standing reflects Sacchi’s concerns. The team is seventh in Serie A, ten points behind league leaders Napoli, albeit with a game in hand. Despite their position, their inconsistency and lack of cohesion have left fans frustrated and questioning the team’s ability to compete with the league’s top sides.

While Sacchi directed some of his criticism toward the tactical and structural issues under Paulo Fonseca, he was careful not to place all the blame on the Portuguese manager. “We cannot always think that the blame for unsatisfactory results lies solely with the coach, because in doing so, we give an alibi to the players. The secret to success is a great club, a good coach, and good players who follow him and would go through fire for him. Are all these components present in the current Milan?” Sacchi asked rhetorically, challenging both the club and its players to reflect on their contributions to the current state of affairs.

He called on the players to take more responsibility and to find motivation in their pride. “These players need to be driven by their pride. It is not possible to play at home against Juventus and fail to register a single shot on target,” he remarked. Sacchi also hinted that the Champions League might be a more fitting battleground for Milan at this stage. “It seems more reasonable for them to focus on the Champions League and try to progress as far as possible in Europe. Perhaps it’s a more suitable competition for

the ‘Rossoneri,’ as some might think after that splendid victory against Real Madrid. However, there is a lot of work to be done,” Sacchi emphasized, highlighting the team’s potential to make an impact in Europe while stressing the need for improvement.

Sacchi’s comments resonate as Milan prepares for their upcoming Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday. The game, set to take place in Slovakia, offers Milan a chance to strengthen their position in Group F, where they currently sit in second place with six points. Their Slovak opponents, however, are at the bottom of the group and have yet to register a single point. Despite this apparent disparity, Sacchi’s concerns about Milan’s form suggest that the match may not be as straightforward as it appears on paper.

Milan’s Champions League campaign has been a mix of highs and lows, including the aforementioned triumph over Real Madrid, which showcased the team’s ability to rise to the occasion on the European stage. Yet, inconsistencies have plagued their efforts, mirroring their struggles in Serie A. Sacchi’s critique serves as a timely reminder that the team must address its structural issues and rediscover its identity if it hopes to compete at the highest level.

The legendary coach’s analysis also reflects his broader understanding of football’s demands. His focus on tactical clarity, player responsibility, and the synergy between management and the squad remains as relevant today as during his own coaching era. Sacchi’s words carry weight, not just as a critique of Milan’s current shortcomings, but as a blueprint for how they might recover.

As Milan looks ahead to the match against Slovan Bratislava and beyond, the pressure is mounting for Paulo Fonseca and his team to deliver performances that justify the expectations of the fans and the club’s rich history. With Sacchi’s pointed remarks echoing in the background, the “Rossoneri” are being called upon to rise above their challenges, take ownership of their fate, and chart a course toward a more promising future, both in Serie A and on the European stage.