Zambrotta discusses Milan’s struggles, sporting director issue, Allegri links and Theo’s form | OneFootball

Gianluca Zambrotta believes that Zlatan Ibrahimovic should follow Paolo Maldini’s lead as a director, and insisted a sporting director with winning experience is needed.

Zambrotta is someone who knows all about playing at the highest level, having made over 200 appearances for Juventus and then moving on to join Barcelona and Milan after that. He also made 100 appearances for the Italian national team, a feat that very few players are able to achieve.

His list of eight major honours won across his career at club and country show that he was part of winning dressing rooms and thus has a good understanding of what it takes to lift silverware. It is something that Milan could use, given the confusion around their project at the moment.

With no Champions League football looking a certainty for 2025-26 and with a sporting director to arrive in the coming weeks, this is a crucial planning period the Rossoneri simply have to get right.

Zambrotta gave an interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport published on the day of the game between the team he won titles with and the club of his hometown where he came through the academy.

What kind of match will Milan-Como be?

“I expect a Milan that wants to get points to get into the Europa League. Como, however, are doing well and against Venezia without that penalty taken in the 95th minute they would have obtained an important victory.

“They play good football and will go to San Siro to play their game. It won’t be easy for the Rossoneri. Napoli knows something about that…”

Happy to see Como back in Serie A?

“It’s the club of my city, the one where I grew up. I started out as a ball boy at the stadium and playing in the Esordienti. For years I watched the first team players train on the pitch next to mine and I also dreamed of wearing that shirt among the professionals.

“In the end I made it: I made my debut in Serie B with Tardelli and played two seasons in Serie C1, winning the Coppa Italia and losing a promotion to Serie B in the final.”

You joined Milan at 30 years old. What is your best memory of those four seasons?

“The Milan dressing room, along with the Juve one, was the most beautiful I have ever been in. There were so many Italians: Gattuso, Pirlo, Abbiati, Oddo, Nesta, Maldini, Inzaghi, Ambro… It was a wonderful group and we laughed so much. Like a big family.”

Today Conceiçao will face Fabregas, one of the emerging coaches in Serie A…

“Cesc is doing a great job because he has built a team with players who have the same mentality as him: they play the ball on the ground and make few mistakes.

“Da Cunha, Perrore and Sergi Roberto are good and never throw the ball away. That way you can cause problems even for the big teams like Napoli and Fiorentina.”

More Stories / Features

The power of friendly press: Why Allegri and Paratici might not be ‘ideal’ for Milan

13 March 2025, 20:30

Milan hope for revenue boost from loanees: How each is faring and what the future holds

12 March 2025, 20:30

International gamble vs. ‘Italianisation’: Milan face choice between contrasting visions

11 March 2025, 19:42

What has gone wrong between Conceiçao and Milan?

“As soon as he arrived, everything worked because he won the Supercoppa Italiana with two exciting comebacks against Juventus and Inter. Probably the difficulties that were there before came out later.

“Conceiçao is a capable coach because he changed the games several times with substitutions. Maybe he didn’t have the chance to work calmly, in the right context.”

Max Allegri has been mentioned as a candidate to replace him, who you had at Milan…

“If I were in the Rossoneri management, first of all I would identify a sporting director: Tare, Paratici or in any case a name that has already achieved results.

“With one of them and a strong sporting area, Conceiçao could also stay. Otherwise I would take a coach who has never been at Milan. Someone like Klopp.”

But first we have to finish this season. With what aim?

“At least reach the Europa League and reach the final of the Coppa Italia by winning the derby.”

What are the main causes of the difficulties in the league and the elimination from the Champions League?

“A strong squad that doesn’t find a calm environment and a safe line (from the club, ed.) off the pitch will struggle. The players feel certain things and if they don’t work in a calm atmosphere, their performances suffer.

“If the fans at San Siro come in after 15 minutes and protest against the club, you on the pitch can’t give 100%.”

As a former AC Milan player, how much do you ‘suffer’ from this difficult situation?

“I feel sorry because I know what those who are there now are going through. At Milan you always have to win, otherwise… The team has important values ​​and deserves more than their current position.”

Is it right to protect Reijnders and Pulisic with renewals?

“So far they have been the most consistent. They have dynamism, desire, enthusiasm, quality and they make the difference. They are two on which to build.”

What do you think of Leao’s season?

“We all know Rafa: in Lecce he confirmed that he is a great talent, but he lacks consistency in his performance. He must change his attitude and, even if you cannot be decisive in every match, he must become a point of reference.”

Did you expect such a decline from Theo?

“There is no question about his talent, his physical qualities and his ability to score, given that he has surpassed a certain Paolo Maldini in goals in Serie A. If he is in the game with his head and has the right motivation, he makes the difference.”

As a former teammate, how do you see Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a manager?

“I take Maldini as a comparison, who, having arrived at Milan as a director, had Leonardo as a point of reference. Paolo adapted to his role with an important example and learned. Ibra must follow this type of path.

“He was given this opportunity to start immediately at Milan but it would have been better if he had had someone at his side, who would have directed him on the right things to do.

“He has skills and ideas. In football, however, it takes time to learn to be a sports director or a general manager.”