Van Basten recommends how to fix Milan: ‘Could help to have more Italians’ | OneFootball

Former Milan striker and Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten believes that having more Italy players in the team could be part of the solution that helps the Rossoneri get back to the top of the Serie A table.

Van Basten has given an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Tuesday, following the 125th anniversary celebrations held in the city of Milan over the weekend.

Van Basten on Milan glory years and favourite teammates

Speaking in-depth about the Rossoneri past and present, van Basten reflected on some of his fondest memories, shared anecdotes about some of his old teammates and gave his verdict of the current set-up under Paulo Fonseca.

“The 1988-89 Champions final in Barcelona against Steua was special, a game that gave us our first international triumph in years, one that the club had been waiting for. It was the realisation of Berlusconi’s dream, who wanted to rhea the top of the world from day one. We made him happy.

“We had a super team over the years: With Tassotti, Baresi, Costacurta, Maldini and Filippo Galli, we had the best defence in Europe. In midfield with Ancelotti there was also Donadoni, Rijkaard, Colombo, Evani and Albertini; Me, Gullit, Virdis, Massaro etc. in attack. The mentality was to always win at all costs.”

9 Dec 1992: AC Milan Players Demetrio Albertini, Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten form a wall in the European Cup match against PSV Eindhoven. The Rossoneri won the match 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Cole/Allsport

Now enjoying their retirement, van Basten also revealed which of his former teammates are the most handy on the golf course.

“Donadoni is among the best when I come to Italy. I played with Gullit in Golland and he’s good, too. They’vs told me that Shevchenko is strong too: He and Donadnoi are around a 1 handicap.”

Van Basten: ‘It could help Milan to have more Italians’

Discussing the current Milan set-up, van Basten admitted that it has been difficult to watch Inter kick on while Milan have plateaued in Serie A over the last two seasons, but he is adamant that the Rossoneri will return to winning titles before long.

“Milan is a great club, it has a fantastic stadium and amazing fans. Unfortunately Inter has ‘ruled’ over recent years, and that is a blow to the heart for the Milan fans. Difficult times.

“I am convinced hat Milan will return to winning ways. Maybe it could help to have more Italians in the team.

Aaron Martin of Genoa is challenged by 17-year-old Mattia Liberali of AC Milan during the Serie A match on December 15, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“There are some good players, but the team doesn’t use them much and the national team suffers because of it. In Spain, for example, they value their talent more.”