Serginho brands ‘burdened’ Theo the ‘best left-back in the world’ and sends message to Milan fans | OneFootball

Serginho believes that Theo Hernandez is the best in the world in his position, but has become burdened with pressure at AC Milan.

The Brazilian was someone who knew how to do it all given he played as a left-back, left midfielder or left winger at Milan, and he won it all too: the Champions League twice (in 2003 and 2007), as well as the Serie A title (in 2003–04) among other trophies with Milan.

He remains an avid follower of the Rossoneri, and what he has seen this season cannot be pleasing. Sergio Conceicao’s side are eight points away from fourth place, with a chance to cut the gap to five points in tonight’s game in hand versus Bologna.

Moreover, some of the star players have had some difficulties in 2024-25, above all Theo Hernandez who has come under fire for his errors, as well as the captain Mike Maignan and also Rafael Leao too.

Serginho gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport in which he spoke at length about current affairs at his former club, from the mixed results to the form of some individuals.

Serginho, as a Milan fan, how sad are you about the moment the team is going through?

“Like all Milan fans, I am experiencing this delicate situation with the hope that it can improve. Unfortunately, we have not achieved the level of results we hoped for, neither in Serie A nor in the Champions League. So far, the best Milan has not yet been seen.”

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But Conceiçao continues to believe in fourth place. Is he right to?

“Given the big January window carried out by the club, fighting until the end to qualify for the next Champions League must be an obligation. Now there are many elements with great technical qualities.”

Is Gimenez the centre forward Milan needed?

“Goals are in his blood, but he needs a game, team-mates who support him and serve him in the right way. That’s how box men are.”

Does Joao Felix convince you?

“He has an impressive technique and I consider him a top-level footballer, otherwise he would not have been able to wear the shirts of Atletico, Barcelona and Chelsea. In his career so far he has not expressed his full potential and I hope he succeeds at Milan.”

What about Walker?

“On the right, Milan have had some problems this season and with Walker I would say they have solved them. He is injured now, but you can’t argue with someone like him.

“He has experience, the DNA of a winner after his seasons at City and the confidence that wearing the England national team shirt gives you.”

Then there are Bondo and Sottil…

“They will lengthen the bench and you will see that they will be useful even after the match has started.”

Maybe in Bologna tonight…

“It will be a key match. A win at Dall’Ara could change the season because it would allow us to get to within five points of Juventus and look at the last twelve games with different eyes.

“The league is balanced and Napoli’s defeat in Como shows it. The Bianconeri can make some missteps, even if the elimination from the Champions League will be an advantage for them in terms of saving energy.

“For Milan it’s like a final: a win would reopen the race for fourth place. I prefer not to think about what would happen in the event of a defeat: I’m not saying it would be over, but remaining eight points behind Juventus, a comeback would become complicated.”

What will be needed tonight?

“Winning mentality and love for the red and black jersey. We won so much because we were a great group: we understood the importance of giving everything that each of us had inside for a historic and glorious club like Milan. The same thing must happen now.”

Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images

From next week, Conceiçao will also be able to work a lot on the training pitch…

“After the winter transfer window he has the material and now he will also have time to shape it in training. It’s a shame that it’s March and that there aren’t many opportunities to make mistakes.”

What do you think of Bologna?

“They started slowly, but he grew a lot and now have the same points as Milan, almost as many as they had last year with Thiago Motta on the bench. Italiano has shown good football and the group are following him.”

As a former left back, what advice do you give to Theo?

“No advice. I’ll just make one observation: for me he’s the best left-back in the world. Having said that, he shouldn’t be burdened with too much responsibility and pressure because he’s not a centre-forward or an attacking midfielder.

“Let me explain: he can’t give an assist or a goal per game, he can’t always be decisive. For years he was… Superman and he got the fans used to ‘bad things’, but I’m convinced that he’ll soon give them more satisfaction.”

What do you feel like saying to the Rossoneri fans?

“The team needs the push of its people at this moment. Milan is always Milan and must go to the Champions League. With everyone’s help. There are important and directors managers in the club.

“We must believe in them. We cannot give up. We must fight until the end and believe in fourth place. Let’s start winning in Bologna, then we’ll see.”