Ex-Milan CEO Adriano Galliani has reflected on his former side’s advances as present leaders of Serie A. A leading figure of the Silvio Berlusconi era, the Italian executive charged the Rossoneri through a period of unprecedented success on the pitch – winning five UEFA Champions League titles and eight Scudetti.
Speaking at the book presentation in Milan (via MilanNews), Galliani took the chance to share his thoughts on Milan’s current standing, Tonali’s rising stature in the Diavolo ranks and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s longevity at the highest levels.
“The team is doing very well, I won’t say anything because I’m very superstitious, but it seems to me that they are doing a great job. I keep my fingers crossed because I remain a Rossoneri in the depths of my heart,” he said.
When quizzed about the different Milan teams he has witnessed throughout his stay in the beautiful game, Galliani was quick to point out the uniqueness of Stefano Pioli’s new-look Rossoneri.
He commented: “This is a different Milan, Pioli is fantastic: he changed Milan. With this 4-2-3-1 he changed Milan. It’s not Sacchi or Capello’s AC Milan. It’s difficult to make comparisons. It’s a nice Milan, who plays well and great merits must be given to the coach who put all the players in the right role.”
Speaking of Ibrahimovic’s potential contract extension at San Siro, the ex-chief pointed out the quality the Swede still possesses.
“Ibra can still give you a lot, not in terms of quantity of minutes but quality of minutes.”
On another note, Sandro Tonali has grown leaps and bounds within the Rossoneri ranks.
“I think so, even if in my opinion Tonali is a midfielder, but he’s not Pirlo. Tonali in my opinion, looks more like Gattuso than Pirlo. He is a different player, very good. I see him as a great midfielder, he steals a lot of balls like Gattuso did. A top player, perfect in the two-man midfield and not in the midfield of three. My dream would have been to be a coach, but I had to be a manager. Playing two or three in midfield is different,” he disclosed.
Milan sit at the pedestal of Serie A rankings with 63 points from 29 games, three points more than Napoli and four more than Inter, who still have a game in hand.