Former defender Alessandro Costacurta analysed the Serie A duel between Juventus and Milan, explaining the difficulties encountered by both clubs this season.
The two sides are battling it out to be the best of the rest in the topflight following Inter’s recent Scudetto victory, leaving second place up for grabs. Milan currently hold a five-point lead over the Old Lady, but that could shrink to just two points this evening.
In the background, both Juventus and Milan are expected to replace their coaches in the summer, with Massimiliano Allegri having failed to build an exciting project in Turin and Stefano Pioli failing to keep pace with Inter.
Costacurta analyses Juventus vs Milan
Speaking on pages four and five of today’s Tuttosport, Costacurta first discussed which team arrives at the match in worse form – Juventus or Milan.
“Neither of them are in a good moment, but Milan have done badly in the last two weeks, probably their worst in three years, while the previous ones had been good. Juve come from a few more negative weeks.
“For both, however, in my opinion it’s wrong to talk about unsuccessful or even negative seasons, even if they have lost a bit of energy in the last period. In the league they did what they could, with different philosophies and ideas.
“Inter were clearly stronger and no one thought they could express a game like this or that they could separate the others so much, but this was a great credit to the Nerazzurri.
“In my opinion, Juve and Milan have had a good run in the league, Milan having had the Champions League and Europa League a little better. Juve could have scored a few more points in the last two months, because before by hook or by crook they remained attached.”
He explained what changed over the last few months.
“Well, things went a bit badly for them, they lost some players… the problem is that at that point, in my opinion, a team can stick to a plan, to a tactic that I’ve seen little of at Juventus this year.
“Bologna don’t have better players and are now missing Ferguson who in my opinion is the most important, but they stick to the plan and the game and are going to dominate in Rome. In my opinion, Juve lack this.”
The former defender touched on how two weeks in particular derailed things for Milan.
“The two matches against Roma, in my opinion, somewhat ruined the atmosphere and the image of a year that could have ended in a good way.
“Milan had the chance to continue and win the Europa League, because they were not eliminated by a superior team, but one that put something more into it in terms of attitude.
“It was thought that they could react in the derby but instead for an hour there was only Inter on the pitch, so I don’t expect a great reaction. And not even a great match, given the momentum of both.
“They are two teams that gave, because they gave, but today they certainly cannot guarantee attention, concentration and organisation.”
Costacurta was asked if Juventus should replace Allegri in the summer.
“The Juventus directors will have to decide this. I have said and repeated that I have never had fun watching them this year, but I am neither a fan nor a director, I can say that I have not seen a Juve that are up to the standard of other years.
“Allegri did a good job with the players rather than with the plan, we need to see what the directors think about it. I believe that a team can play better and create more for the attackers and Juve didn’t do that this year.”
He also weighed in on Pioli’s position at Milan.
“I don’t know what consequences this elimination and the fact that they lost so many derbies can leave, facts that the club will have to reflect on.
“But I believe that in the last four years in Italy there have been a stronger team than the others, Inter, and they haven’t always won, beaten once by an extraordinary Napoli and once by a Milan that overperformed.
“In my opinion, the last two weeks are missing in Pioli’s management, but for the rest he did a good job, with a team that was trying to score a goal more than the others because he had seen that in the defensive phase, he was unable to hold up and so he chose a different path.”
The former defender is confident that Thiago Motta is ready for a step up.
“Yes. I think he is the real surprise on the European scene, I think he has done an extraordinary job and that he can easily do it, even at a top team.
“If I were a director and wanted to change, I would definitely think of Thiago Motta.”
Costacurta commented on if Thiago Motta would be a better fit for Juventus or Milan.
“The way I see it, Juve. If nothing else, I would be more willing to watch them… If I look at the table, I look at the players and I see that there are two points difference between Juve and Bologna, in my opinion that says it all.
“Then just watch Bologna’s matches, the last one against Roma but also many others, one gets up from the sofa and applauds.”
He spoke about Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Chiesa and Rafael Leao.
“I think Vlahovic is what he did best. I find that he gets tense a little too easily, but I think that in the end he had a good year and if I were Juve I’d never get rid of him. Federico is the one who performed the least, but I think there are mainly physical reasons behind it.
“He has never felt confident in himself, but in my opinion, he is the strongest Italian player and I think that in an environment where he has a little more confidence like that of the national team, he can go back to impressing us like in the previous European Championship.
“Leao still has to grow to aspire to be called champion, he is an extraordinary talent, but he must take a further step in terms of consistency and performance in big matches.”
He touched on if Joshua Zirkzee should join Juventus or Milan.
“I could see him anywhere. I believe he has demonstrated this year, in his performances but also in his maturity, that he can play and do well in all the big Italian teams.”
Finally, Costacurta discussed if the gap with Inter could be closed this summer.
“Yes, absolutely. It’s not like every year the teams play like Napoli last year or Inter this year. It’s clear that to achieve this, Juve and Milan must know how to choose.
“The Rossoneri need an important man in every department, the Bianconeri are missing something in midfield and also a man on the wing, but the gap can easily be filled.”
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