It`s time for assessments at Milan. While there are still two matches left to desperately try and reach Europe, the season`s fate is largely sealed. And the defeat in the Coppa Italia final (Note: Milan were eliminated in the semi-finals, the text likely refers to the context of Bologna winning the final) has prompted reflections. We discussed this with the director of Telelombardia, Fabio Ravezzani. Here are his words to MilanNews.it.
Fabio Ravezzani, after Milan-Bologna (Note: Context unclear in original text), CEO Furlani admitted that the season drawing to a close has been a failure.
“Admitting one`s failure is a sign of intellectual honesty. What`s missing are the conclusions. That is: if Furlani admits a failure that is clear for all to see and takes responsibility for it, then one expects a change in the club`s sporting direction. For example, when you`ve had a failed season, you can`t say the sporting director isn`t a priority and that they must adapt to their way of working. A change in market strategy and in the company`s overall strategies is needed. Combining sporting and economic results? All true, but sporting results are often achieved by investing in a club and then expecting to make profits through those sporting results.”
The objection that the club might raise is the significant expenditure on incoming transfers.
“It`s not true that Milan spent the most in the market, but in any case, I don`t think Milan needs to spend, but needs to invest. And that`s different. If you buy Milan, go into debt, and after three years don`t repay the money and ask for a loan extension, it means you`re short of breath. So the problem isn`t just Furlani, but who he represents. He added: the importance of financial profit is fine, but at least hire a market wizard, someone from the sporting sector.”
A market wizard who seems increasingly unlikely to arrive.
“And this is what I don`t understand about Milan: why entrust market strategies to a triumvirate that has proven inadequate for different reasons? Furlani doesn`t come from the sports world, Moncada was a chief scout who couldn`t even find the right names in the January transfer window, and Ibrahimovic was indeed a great footballer, but that`s not enough. Otherwise, Maradona and Pelé would have automatically been great executives. And so I say: what`s the point of acknowledging this season`s failure if you`re ready to start again for the third time with the same approach as before?”
It wasn`t news; in fact, we all expected it: Cardinale was absent again yesterday. And the distance argument doesn`t hold up; just look at the Canadian Joey Saputo, who enjoyed a historic night in Rome (Note: Likely referring to Bologna`s success).
“First, let`s talk about his modus operandi, which is anti-American. Usually, when things go badly, Americans are ruthless; they don`t hesitate to make changes. Instead, here the chain of command isn`t being questioned, which by Furlani`s own admission is inexperienced. They are gaining experience at Milan. Another mistake by Cardinale is presumption: he arrived saying he wanted to bring a new concept of football, that he knew how to do it. But Cardinale needs to understand that football in Italy is a phenomenon with a strong emotional character. And passion is fueled by presence, by the ability to motivate the team, by being part of the territory. And if you can`t do that because you`re distant, at least put in an alter ego who is a point of reference for the team and the fans. Ibrahimovic is absent more often than he`s present. Furlani doesn`t have the prestige, gravitas, and credibility to speak to the team, and when he speaks in front of microphones, the fans get irritated, not to mention how they react to Scaroni`s words.”
The team takes care of the rest, having missed an opportunity that was within reach.
“The Milan team seen in the final (Note: Context unclear in original text, perhaps referencing a key match where heart was lacking) was without heart, unlike Bologna. In Milan, there are players with varying levels of motivation, veterans with expiring contracts, a player like Reijnders who might leave. Who can the fans identify with? Leao is there and he isn`t, but his level of moral and character qualities is not that of a leader. And with all due respect, it`s quite telling that only Gabbia spoke at the end of the match.”
As if the blow of the Coppa Italia final (Note: Semi-final elimination) wasn`t enough, there were the pre-match controversies, with Boban`s words and Scaroni`s response.
“Boban was poorly dismissed and will be the last to acknowledge Milan`s merits. Scaroni responded appropriately. He is a collateral executive figure; before Milan, he worked at Vicenza and it`s not true that he`s completely inexperienced in football. And sometimes he has spoken truths, uncomfortable ones but truths nonetheless. These have cost him the fans` sympathy. But I would prefer someone who says things as they are rather than proclaiming goals that cannot be achieved. All things considered, his figure is the most transparent in describing Milan.”
There are now no doubts about Conceiçao`s departure (Note: Sérgio Conceição was linked but not appointed as coach).
“In my editorial, I spoke of a wonderful defeat, a defeat that is good news. Because it lifts the veil on what was glimpsed. Winning the Coppa Italia would have led to saying: `That`s fine,` and it would have been detrimental. This defeat could become a great victory if Milan understands two things. The first is that a great football man is needed as a sporting director and as a coach. The second is: enough with mediocre coaches who coach moderately mediocre players. I understand that Milan cannot or does not want to afford great players, because in fact, those they sign are second or third choices in the European market. But if you put together a group of players like that with a second or third-tier coach, then I hope this defeat teaches them to sign a great coach and a great sporting director. Or at least one of the two.”