Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi believes Roma, Milan and Juve need to step up if they are to catch up with Inter. Writing in his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi explained why the Nerazzurri have raced ahead of the other sides in Serie A, having already secured a number of targets for the summer, with an eye to defending their title next season:
“In the realm of football, the future is never a product of chance. Rarely does it deliver satisfaction unless it’s meticulously crafted with ideas, reasoning, and discussions. It resembles a programmatic process akin to what architects or engineers undertake when designing a building. For a football club, spring is the opportune time to chart the course for the upcoming season. And from what one gathers, Inter has already surged ahead with their plans: Taremi, Zielinski, Gudmundsson, and perhaps Hermoso from Atletico Madrid are on their radar, with likely more in store.
“In this scenario, applause is due to Inter’s executives who haven’t rested on their laurels and have decisively steered the ship. The secret to sustained success lies in reinventing oneself precisely in moments of triumph. Let me explain: when you triumph, you’re optimistic and positive, possessing the right energy to contemplate the future and plan ahead. This has been the strategy of Marotta, Ausilio, and their collaborators: anticipating the moves of adversaries and, above all, having clear ideas about what needs to be done in the next season. The first step, naturally, is having a solid ownership backing the club, instilling confidence and providing financial resources to the market men. Then comes the selection of the technical leadership, where the confirmation of Simone Inzaghi seems imminent given his excellent track record in recent years. After these initial steps, it’s imperative to meticulously evaluate the performance of the players in the squad without succumbing to easy sentimentality: understanding who has performed to their maximum potential, who still has more to give, and who hasn’t lived up to expectations. Every decision must stem from these analyses.
“Furthermore, it’s crucial, albeit not secondary, to provide the coach with players who fit the style of play they intend to develop. If a coach desires a penetrating center-forward and the management procures a playmaking striker instead, it doesn’t aid the cause. Hence, I hope coaches wield increasing influence in transfer decisions because they are the ones on the field daily, working with the team, tasked with shaping a playing style. Executives, however talented and experienced, are not coaches, a fact that should never be forgotten.
“Certainly, having demonstrated their supremacy in the current Serie A, Inter is gaining a significant advantage for the next season as well. This prompts the question: what about their rivals? Surely, they are working, perhaps discreetly, planning to chase down Inter, but it’s imperative they accelerate their actions. Milan’s renewal, for instance, necessitates some essential adjustments. In my opinion, the inclusion of two defenders, a midfielder, and a forward would be fundamental. It seems Zirkzee might lean towards Milan: a promising acquisition, although I believe Milan needs a center-forward akin to Haaland, while Zirkzee appears more of a playmaker, a supporting striker rather than a pure striker. Nevertheless, let the executives heed Pioli’s indications and choose reliable reinforcements. Players aren’t acquired based solely on their skills on the pitch; their moral qualities matter. Before deciding to purchase Rijkaard, I had him monitored by my associate for fifteen days, and when I was the technical director of Parma, I personally went to see Adriano because I wanted to understand the kind of person he was first and foremost.
“As for Juventus, they already possess a good group of players: two defenders representing the Brazilian national team, a midfielder in the Italian squad, another with the French team, and two forwards performing at high levels in Europe like Chiesa and Vlahovic. What they lack is a cohesive playing style; that’s where intervention is likely needed. The ownership will have to decide. And even Roma, climbing well in the standings, must understand what it wants to be in the future: continue with De Rossi, who has impressed so far, or take a different path? The choices of the players will be a consequence of this delicate decision.
“In conclusion, while Inter seems to have set sail smoothly into the future, Milan, Juventus, and Roma must navigate their course with similar determination and foresight if they are to challenge the reigning champions effectively. Only time will tell how these strategies unfold on the football pitch.”
