Alessandro Costacurta, former Milan defender and current commentator, shared his thoughts on Paulo Fonseca’s appointment as the new Milan coach and the club’s transfer strategy in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport:
Let’s start with Fonseca.
“He didn’t excite me, but at the same time I don’t want to criticize the decision because Fonseca is a good person and a serious professional. I would have preferred another coach because the fans needed someone to make them… dream. In my time, it was the players being signed that made people dream, while now big market moves are not possible. The choice of coach can’t be made thinking about the fans, but still…”
Who would you have chosen?
“Someone with a stroke of genius: Conte, De Zerbi or Sarri. I also like Thiago Motta, but he had already taken a certain direction for some time. For Milan’s philosophy, I recognize that Fonseca is the right choice, the coach most aligned with the new course. The Portuguese has proven to be a good coach, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to bring Milan back to winning.”
What’s the first thing he should do?
“Fix the defensive phase. A year ago I said that the performance of the two center-backs would be crucial, and it wasn’t good. Now I’m saying the same thing again.”
Don’t you think it’s necessary to reinforce the center of the defense? Maybe with Pavlovic…
“I’ve read criticisms about Milan’s market that hasn’t started yet, I don’t share them. There’s still more than a month and a half until the end of the transfer window, and there’s time. For now, we must applaud Inter, who have made important and intelligent signings as well as retaining a top player like Lautaro, and wait for Milan’s moves. Regarding the defense, truly good center-backs cost a lot of money and it doesn’t seem that Milan’s policy, which I fully agree with, includes that type of investment. Fonseca will have to be good at improving the material at his disposal, just as Motta did at Bologna with Calafiori and Allegri at Juve with Bremer and Gatti.”
Does Morata as the new number 9 convince you?
“I like his attitude on the field: he helps the team and does everything pretty well. I admit he doesn’t excite me and there are better ones, but among those available on the market, he’s certainly a good choice. I believe he can help Milan and bring the goals needed.”
Would Zirkzee have been better?
“On Zirkzee, I agree with Zlatan. It’s time to stop with agents who want to influence a club’s choices with astronomical commissions.”
Do you like Ibra in his new role?
“Honestly, now I’m starting to like him more. For a certain period he didn’t speak and didn’t show his face, while now… Milan needs someone who communicates and he does it well.”
Should Milan fans be optimistic or not?
“Milan finished second in Serie A and doesn’t need a revolution. Improvements are needed, but there’s time to make them.”
Meanwhile, the European Championship has transmitted good feelings.
“Leao played a decent tournament and was one of the most positive because he grew game after game. This is a sign that he has the right mentality, next season he will improve even more. Theo didn’t impress me, Maignan was decisive and Reijnders was important.”
Ibra said that Theo, Maignan and Leao are non-transferable.
“He’s right. They are the three most international players and the goal should be to add others, perhaps making them grow season after season.”
Is Spain-England the “right” final for the European Championship?
“The ideal final was played in the quarter-finals, Spain-Germany, because those were the teams that showed the best football. Apart from Rodri, the top players arrived tired at this European Championship.”
Among the individuals, who impressed you?
“Yamal is incredible and so is Nico Williams, but I also liked Fabian Ruiz, the Dutch Xavi Simons and the English Guéhi.”
