Cafu optimistic for Milan’s 2023-24 season but sad for Maldini after sacking | OneFootball

Cafu has admitted that he is optimistic about the upcoming season for AC Milan but cannot necessarily agree with the decision to sack Paolo Maldini from his role.

It was less than 48 hours after the win against Verona to end the 2022-23 season that it was confirmed Maldini and his right-hand man Ricky Massara were being relieved of their duties as the technical and sporting director, plunging the project into disrepute.

A busy summer has followed though after the contentious sale of Sandro Tonali to Newcastle United, with eight new additions to the squad and over €100m spent to try and improve the depth available to Stefano Pioli.

Cafu spoke on DAZN after the game against Bologna and he discussed Italian football and the ambitions of the Italian clubs in European competitions after the great results of last season.

“I’m optimistic about Italian football, the country of football is back. The finals prove it. They have changed their mentality, look at Napoli who won the Scudetto. This year will be a beautiful season and the Italian teams involved in Europe will go far,” he said (via Radio Rossonera).

Cafu had his say on the decision by the Rossoneri leadership – led by Gerry Cardinale – to sack Maldini on June 5 after a meeting which took place.

“I’m always optimistic for them. Too bad for Maldini that he is no longer a director, he is an exceptional person. We always talk and we knew that something could happen, but not something about him, because he really is Milan.

“When we talk about Milan, we talk about Paolo Maldini. These are choices that we players cannot put our beaks into. But we always hope for the good of Milan. I am always optimistic for my favourite teams.”

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