Serginho believes there are no favourites in Milan-Juventus despite ‘instability’ | OneFootball

AC Milan host Juventus tomorrow afternoon, and the Rossoneri will need three points if they are to re-enter the Scudetto race.

This season has been difficult for many reasons. Paulo Fonseca has struggled to find complete confidence from the fanbase, and there have been numerous issues with the squad.

Last season, it was injuries that caused a downfall, whereas this season, there are mental issues. From Rafael Leao to Theo Hernandez, there have been regular hiccups, but Milan are now hoping for stability.

Stability, of course, is the buzzword in this scenario, because Saturday could be the final straw to break the camel’s back, should things go wrong.

Earlier this week, it was suggested that the squad cannot deal with another big loss, and with the context of the table, anything but a win will probably be seen as a defeat.

Despite the difficulties of this season so far, Serginho believes that there is not a favourite for this weekend’s fixture, and he previewed the game when speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Losing his son…

“For a father to lose his son is something that has no explanation and the pain one feels cannot be described in words. The strength to go on comes to me first of all from God because I am a great believer and I think that in our lives there is His plan for everything that happens to us: human vision cannot understand it, but everyone has a mission.

“Unfortunately for my son, God’s plan took him to heaven. His mother, his brother and I miss him so much. What gives me the strength to go on? I must carry out the mission God has reserved for me to the best of my ability.

“He did not take my son away to leave a father and mother in pain and suffering. We live in his (his son’s) name and his memory will always be in our hearts. He will be the one to give me the strength to get out of this situation.”

“I have always felt loved by the Rossoneri people, from day one. Every time I go to the San Siro it is a great emotion to hear their choruses and their affection. After the tragedy of August, their support, that of the club and my former teammates has given me extra strength to walk, to move forward.”

Tomorrow you will also be watching Milan-Juve. What kind of match will it be?

“A difficult match to read because it comes at a non-ideal moment: the two teams have had ups and downs and expected something more from this start of the season. They have had, let’s say, some instability at the level of play and results.”

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Are the Bianconeri, ahead in the standings, favourites?

“A big match like this doesn’t have a favourite. Milan at the San Siro will have the support of the fans and this can compensate for the difference in points in the standings.”

Why has Milan had these ups and downs so far?

“The Rossoneri have changed coach, players and system of play: a certain instability was inevitable. It takes time to assimilate the concepts of the new coach. And Fonseca also needs time to get to know the squad thoroughly. In three months of work it is not possible to fix all the problems that existed last year.”

Juventus have drawn too much…

“I know Motta well and we have faced each other many times on the pitch. Being a coach at Juve and at Bologna is a different thing because at Bologna you don’t have that responsibility to win at all costs that you have every day at Juve.

“That said, Thiago has all the qualities and skills to do well. He, like Fonseca, must be given time to work. I hope he will take some satisfaction from next week.”

Will Milan and Juve fight for Champions League qualification or…? for the tricolour?

“The championship is wide open and I don’t see a team destined to run away: the Rossoneri and the Bianconeri can still win the Scudetto, provided they find continuity in their performances.”

Which is your favourite?

“Inter concede a few more goals than last year, but they have proved their worth and are a hair ahead of the others. Napoli with Conte is also to be feared.”

Victories against Inter and Real, knockout against Parma and 3-3 in Cagliari: which is the real Milan?

“I hope that of the derby and the Bernabeu. It’s a shame that after those successes there hasn’t been continuity of performance.”

How much will Vlahovic’s absence weigh?

“He’s not scoring like at Fiorentina, but he’s a point of reference for Juve. It’s better for Fonseca not to find him against them.”

Leao, on the other hand, is back to great levels.

“Rafa is the strongest in Milan, the one who makes the difference. I don’t understand those who have no patience: you’ll see in May how many games he will have won for us. I’m convinced they won’t be few. We need to take some pressure off him.”

What happens to Theo Hernandez?

“The same applies as for Leao: what do people expect from a left-back? Fifty assists and ten goals in a season? He’s just come back from four super years and it can be expected that after the European Championship he didn’t start at the top.”

We move on to Milan and Juve’s Brazilians, all of whom are struggling a bit.

“I wish Bremer to return as soon as possible. Douglas Luiz has the characteristics to be a protagonist in Italy too, but he has to adapt. Danilo? No question. However, footballers are not machines that every year go at 100 per cent and being used both centrally and on the right is a bit confusing for him. Emerson Royal did very well against Vinicius in Madrid.”

If we ask you about an unforgettable challenge for you against Juve…

“The Champions League final in Manchester when I scored one of the penalties in the final series. I wasn’t afraid to kick that penalty, but the goal suddenly seemed… tiny little. Ancelotti, the best coach in the world, prepared us great.”