MAREK JANKULOVSKI thinks Milan can fight for third place, is happy for Ignazio Abate but believes Mattia De Sciglio’s growth isn’t done.
Milan are in 5th place after six rounds of Serie A and their ultimate goal is to finish in the top 3 places that lead to the Champions League (third takes you only as far as the qualification stage) and Jankulovski thinks the Rossoneri and coach Filippo Inzaghi must finish in that zone.
“Where can Milan reach this season? They will play for third place. Juventus and Roma are ahead but Milan can’t stay out of the Champions League for two years in a row,” Janku, who in a few hours (19.45 Nanjing time) will play with Milan Glorie vs China Legends, told Milannews.it.
“My opinion of Milan after 6 games? I’ve seen almost every game and I’ve to say that the team seems to have changed compared to the past few years. They all have a great desire to do well and it shows that there is a new air. How it feels to see Inzaghi on the bench after playing for years together? I’m not surprised. Football has always been a fundamental part of Inzaghi’s life.
“We can say that Inzaghi lives for this sport and I really think that he was predestined. If Inzaghi has become even more manic than when he played? Even then he had great preparations for the opponents. His great desire to study all the details of those who faced him certainly has helped him in his work on the bench. Knowing your opponents, in modern football, is an important thing and Inzaghi, knowing him, hasn’t lost this quality (Jankulovski isn’t the first to point out this quality).
“If Inzaghi has succeeded in restoring a winning mentality? He’s on the right track. I’ve seen Milan in this first part of the season and it’s a team that goes into the field hungry for victories. And this is a reflection of the mentality of Inzaghi, someone who wanted to win the practice matches in training and got angry if he lost,” added the Czech, who retired in 2012.
“If I’m happy that Ignazio Abate is returning to high levels? Absolutely. Ignazio is a great guy and a great professional. Perhaps in the past he was a bit inconsistent but this start of the season, where he also made decisive assists, should give greater confidence in his means. He lives in Milan and he’s not one that runs away from responsibility. In addition, he’s improving in attack and in defense. Mattia De Sciglio, who plays in my role (the role of the left-back)? I see him well.
“Already when he was with the Primavera, when he trained with us, he proved to be a player who’s ready for the first team. You could see that he had some important skills, both technical and temperamental. De Sciglio is strong but, in my opinion, still has great room for growth from all points of view. Stephan El Shaarawy? For me he’s very strong.
“Unfortunately, he lost last season to ugly injuries – and trust me, it’s never easy to return immediately to the top. I know something about it. Personally, I wish him well and I think El Shaarawy really wants to get back to being the protagonist and to score goals. The competition in Milan’s attack? If El Shaarawy trains well and with everything he has, he can feel comfortable. The real problem for Inzaghi is when he has to decide the starting XI with all the quality he has in attack.
“Then, of course, a coach makes his choices and these should be respected. But I think El Shaarawy will soon find space.” Apart from Janku, the Milan Glorie squad consists of the likes of Baresi, Maldini, Seba Rossi, Shevchenko and Massaro.
Hey Uncle Janku….!!! Where have you been?