Zambrotta names where Milan-Juventus will be decided and gives thoughts on Ibrahimovic’s role | OneFootball

Gianluca Zambrotta believes that the game between AC Milan and Juventus will be decided on the flanks, and he spoke about Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to the club.

Zambrotta is someone who spent a decent chunk of his career in both the black and white and the red and black shirts. He was with Juve from 1999-2006, then joining Milan in 2008 (until 2012) after a spell at Barcelona in between.

What that means is he understands the nuances of a fixture like Saturday’s more than most, and in many ways the pressure is on the Rossoneri to prove that they should still be considered a part of the title race.

Losing to Napoli effectively put them out of the discussion and they have won just five league games out of 11. However, beating the Bianconeri could compact everything, as they would go three points behind them with a game in hand.

Zambrotta gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he spoke about the upcoming game between his two former sides.

Who has the most to lose in this game?

“The standings are clearly more difficult for Milan, who are in a bit of trouble. Juve are there, in that club of six teams separated by two points. Then, of course, Milan have played a game less, and have the chance to play at home with a full stadium.

“However, basically, it is the Rossoneri who have to give something more at this moment. Milan won the derby where they were not the favourites, but they lost points badly against Napoli, and also against Parma and Cagliari. Points that a team with certain ambitions cannot afford to leave on the road.”

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It is two teams with two new coaches, what are the main differences from last season?

“Milan come from Pioli, who I like a lot and for me has done a great job. For Fonseca you need to have the patience to let him work. I also like him a lot, both for how he presents himself in the media and in his preparation for matches.

“He is doing a good job, for example he studied the match against Real Madrid very well. He had difficulty managing difficult situations, like Theo and Leao, but he managed everything very well.

“For Juve the change of coach was an even more evident transition because Motta is a young coach, who was coming from an excellent season with Bologna, therefore in a different context. He has a very proactive, open mentality, he is not afraid to propose young players, to experiment.

“It was not easy, he has done a great job so far for his first experience in a big team. It is not a gamble, I have known him for a long time, I went to Bologna to see him: a very intelligent, capable person, with a great personality.”

What quality do you like most about them?

“In Fonseca I see a calm coach who knows what he’s doing. I like the personality with which Thiago manages, just think of the Leipzig game. A team that fights and never gives up.”

Motta was among those linked with Milan in the summer, could he have done well there?

“I think he’s happy where he is, and that Juve made the right choice.”

Has an explanation been given as to why Milan is so far behind in the table?

“Consistency. A team that has to fight for the title needs to be more consistent and must know how to win even the ‘gritty’ games. I don’t see individual culprits, but collective culprits, starting from the defensive phase. Now I’d say they’ve found the right balance.”

Are they still in the Scudetto race?

“Absolutely yes, those six are still there, and there’s that one less game played…”

You mentioned it before, Fonseca’s management of the ‘disobeyers’. As a former player, do you agree with it?

“There have always been problems to solve in the dressing room, it happened to me too. The coach took charge of them and solved them within the group.

“Specifically with Theo and Leao, especially with regards to Rafa, who was sidelined in some matches, it can happen. I liked Fonseca in this type of management. Leao played great matches after the dressing down…”

At a certain point, however, Fonseca and Leao seemed truly separated…

“For a coach, what matters is the group. If you start to undermine credibility within the group, it is difficult to recover it.”

Hernandez always seems to lack that little something extra that would allow him to make the definitive leap to being elite…

“He and Leao are the most talented in Milan, what is missing to be champions is consistency. You can’t make the difference only every now and then. The examples to look up to? Del Piero, Pirlo, Seedorf: they were always on the ball.”

How far can Milan and Juve go in the Champions League?

“Getting past the league phase is the bare minimum, given the value of the two squads. Maybe even in the top eight, why not.”

You were Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s team-mate, what do you think of his new role?

“It’s a complicated role and it’s still too early to make judgments. However, I see him very motivated, even if perhaps he still has to complete the mental transition from player to manager.”

Theo, Leao, Pulisic, Cambiaso, Conceiçao: stellar challenges and high quality on both flanks. Will the match be decided on the wings?

“It will be a great challenge on the wings, I really like the prospect, it’s interesting, it’s intriguing. Theo and Leao form a chain that offers a lot of creativity, the same goes for Conceiçao, and Pulisic is also in a great moment, as is Cambiaso.”

Will there be fireworks or a deadlock?

“Let’s hope it’s like Inter-Juve… We just need to understand how much both teams will be afraid of exposing themselves.”