Vincenzo Montella has said he still has some doubts regarding the starting XI for tomorrow, as he expects a tough Crotone side, and claimed that the club still wants to improve the squad but it will depend on mercato opportunities.
After beating KF Shkëndija 6-0 in the Europa League qualification stage, Serie A begins for Milan tomorrow as they play Crotone at 20:45 CET at Stadio Ezio Scida.
It will be the first test of the new Rossoneri, led by coach Vincenzo Montella as after signing 10 players this summer (and more are still going to arrive), the Diavolo need to show their worth on the pitch.
“The pitfalls of the match against Crotone? I wish a positive championship to everyone, players and fans,” Montella told journalists in today’s pre-match press conference at Milanello. “I hope this can be a season of satisfaction and proving ourselves. It is a very difficult campaign and in the last few rounds of last season, Crotone had the kind of results suitable for a Champions League team.
“I expect the same sort of match as last time, an aggressive opponent, very patient and ready to trouble us on the counter attack. Certainly, it will be a complicated match. If Milan are Scudetto contenders? It doesn’t interest me much if those who say it think it or if it’s strategy.
“Surely, we are one of the few clubs in Europe that have signed more than 10 players. First of all, we need to become a team, then become a winning team. I would say Juve are favorites to win the title; however, there are other teams that have improved their squads, including us, but our target doesn’t change: we have to finish in the top 4. I don’t feel pressure, nor should we set limits on ourselves.
“But we know there are more well-drilled sides out there. Milan must become great again over time and we’ve laid the right foundations. The objective is to fire up the enthusiasm and pride of the Milan fans who, especially thanks to the world of Fassone and Mirabelli, rediscovered their smile.
“Tomorrow’s starting XI? I called up 20 players since some are still injured and others are transfer-listed. I would like to thank the players who have not been included in the squad for technical reasons, because everyone is training very hard, showing consistency and professionalism.
“Squad rotation? Playing every three days, some squad rotation is inevitable. The result against Shkëndija will allow us to grow as many players as possible. Milan will not underestimate the game. We are Milan, we can’t afford not to be 100% ready for an international match.
“The conditions of Giacomo Bonaventura and Alessio Romagnoli? Jack had tests and it’s nothing serious, but he will surely miss the next two games, maybe three. Romagnoli is alright, I preferred to let him train and focus so he could be ready for next Thursday [the Shkëndija return leg].
“Kessié? He is a very physical player, with great technical qualities and he still has a lot of room for improvement. I think he has everything needed to become a top player. Hakan Çalhanoğlu? I am very intrigued by him. He is training very well, even though I don’t think he’s at his best. He has a lot of quality and I am sure he will become one of our most important players.
“Cutrone? I still have some doubts about the line-up. The ideas are outlined but not very clear. Sometimes I decide the XI a day before but it may not be the case for tomorrow. I have tried Cutrone in the starting eleven but it isn’t sure yet. Tomorrow we will carefully evaluate all our options. Montolivo? He had a great performance on Thursday, he scored a brace, he is training hard since the first day of pre-season. He is very involved in the squad, he feels part of the project.
“The fact that over 100,000 people came to San Siro for our two matches [over 65k fans against Craiova and over 40k fans against Shkëndija]? We feel very close to the fans, our goal is to make them even more proud to be fans of our team, enthusiasm is fueled by results. Since the first match against Craiova they have given us an extraordinary support, we are very happy. To give the fans something in return we are considering making some training sessions open to the public.
“The market? I would be ungenerous to publicly ask for something more. The club still has the desire to improve, but we have to see what the market offers. I’m very happy with what has been done. I’m sure Fassone and Mirabelli will do as much as possible to improve the team, regardless of what the sales may be. Kalinić? I don’t have time to think about the market, the present is Crotone. We are all working very hard, day and night. Before the transfer window closes, something could happen.
“The closeness of the ownership? We’re happy David [Han Li] has arrived [he will stay in Milano until the end of the month]. The board of the club is showing full support to the team, even from China.
“If it’s the strongest team I’ve trained [he previously coached Roma, Catania, Fiorentina and Samp]? It’s hard to say, it’s a team that gives so many tactical possibilities. It’s a young team with so many new players, it will take time to adapt. I hope we can move closer to the top. The growth of Milan? I don’t dwell on what has been done, but on what can be done. I think we can still do a lot more.”
Probable XI (Milannews.it): Donnarumma; Andrea Conti, Mateo Musacchio, Leonardo Bonucci, Ricardo Rodriguez; Franck Kessié, Manuel Locatelli, Hakan Çalhanoğlu; Suso, Patrick Cutrone, Fabio Borini.