Yahoo Sports Cafu ‘expected more’ from Milan but believes they can still win the Scudetto
Cafu has given his thoughts on AC Milan and Roma ahead of tonight’s clash between his two former clubs, insisting both are underperforming.
He may have played his last match for Milan over 15 years ago back in 2008, but the affection that the Rossoneri fans have towards Cafu is still very strong. The former defender often comments on his old club, stating back in September that he believes that can win the league.
The issue though is that the team haven’t responded by playing at the same level, given that they sit eighth in the Serie A standings. They are still desperately searching for some consistency, having achieved highs like the derby win over Inter and beating Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Cafu gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport that was published this morning on the day of the game between the Rossoneri and the Giallorossi.
Choose a match you remember for Roma against Milan and vice versa…
“I’ve played many, but it’s easy: as a Giallorossi player, I’d say the 1-1 at the Olimpico that brought us closer to the 2001 Scudetto. Montella equalised with a great lobbed goal. As a Rossonero player, the 1-0 scored by Shevchenko in 2004 at San Siro, which gave us the title in the head-to-head clash.”
Today, however, the title seems very far from both…
“There is no doubt that I expected more from both Milan and Roma. However, there is still more than half a championship to go, for me the Rossoneri can get back in the running, especially if they win tonight.”
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What kind of game do you imagine?
“Open and very fun. Both teams have the obligation to win, the standings say so: they can’t make any more mistakes. Then for my heart it would be fine if it ended 3-3 with one point each (laughs).”
You said you still believe in the Scudetto, a bit like Fonseca. Many fans, however, wonder if this squad was ever truly equipped to win…
“I think so. Milan has very strong players like Leao, Reijnders, Theo Hernandez, Maignan, Morata and others. They won big against Inter and Real Madrid and it can’t have been a coincidence. If anything, the problem is something else.”
Consistency, as Fonseca says?
“Exactly. It’s all a question of mentality. On a tactical level, the coach’s work is visible, but sometimes the right attitude was missing. And it’s no coincidence that, even in a period in which Milan fans are very critical, Fonseca is not in the crosshairs. He deserves time and trust.”
We haven’t seen a Brazilian right-back in red and black since the days of Cafu…
“Hold on, I’ll stop you right now. Emerson Royal cannot be compared to me, because we play the role very differently.”
Is this why the Milan fans don’t seem to love him?
“Emerson is very strong. He’s just not a full-back with a lot of energy like I was or Roberto Carlos. He has other tasks and he does them well, the fans can rest assured.”
Theo is definitely more attacking. He should be back from the start this evening, but what happened to him?
“It’s hard to say. From the outside it seems like a mental issue, rather than a physical one, a bit like what happened to Leao a couple of months ago.”
Maybe they suffered the transition from Pioli – the coach who raised him at Milan – to Fonseca?
“It doesn’t exist. We’re talking about top professionals, a change of coach can’t justify a wrong attitude. Hernandez and Leao are among the best in Italy, they just have to enter the field with the right mentality and the rest will follow.”
Point-blank question: who wins the league?
“Isn’t it worth saying Milan? Then I like to think it’s the year of Atalanta. Everyone thinks it’s a surprise, but it’s been seven years that it’s done well with Gasperini.”
A Brazilian to bring to Italy?
“Raphael Veiga, left-handed player from Palmeiras. He is no longer very young [he is 29], but it is incredible that he has never played in Europe: he has an extraordinary talent.”
