Ranked first in Serie A! Costacurta: Milan can compete for the title, they have no distractions from European wars

Milan star Costacurta said in an interview that he is not surprised by the team's top position this season, because without the distraction of the European war, Milan can focus on the league. But he admitted that he "didn't expect" that the team had reached its current "maturity" and "focus" so quickly, and this was what impressed him the most.

Does Milan's top spot surprise you?

Costacurta: Actually no, I said from the beginning that they can compete for the championship. Without European war tasks, they can focus on the league. But one thing does surprise me, I didn't expect the team to reach this level of maturity so quickly.

This is the thing that impressed me the most, the concentration. After losing to Cremona in the first round, Allegri spoke of a lack of danger awareness. I completely agree, and add that this has happened at Milan in the past few years: mistakes are made one after another in the details. Max (Allegri) clearly pointed out the problem and corrected it. Of course, the arrival of capable players also brings more awareness. There was more protection for the defenders and the defenders grew and felt confident. Greater attention to detail. Give an example? Now it is more difficult for opponents to cross. There are fewer balls passing into the penalty area, creating less danger.

Modric and Rabiot (before injury) not only played a decisive role in organizing the offense, but also played a decisive role on the defensive end?

Costacurta: The defense of our great Milan era, no comparison is intended, was also helped by other members of the team. Again, not to compare, just to say that today the team also works well together and supports each other more. If you intercept the ball in midfield, the ball will not enter your penalty area. Players like Modric and Rabiot, with their reading ability, interception of opponent tactics and their experience, are obviously decisive.

Modric is indeed reminiscent of the great Milan era. How can he maintain such a level after the age of 40?

Costacurta: Milan has not had that kind of charismatic leader for many years. He has been teaching football for twenty years. He's not a surprise either: everyone from Boban to Ancelotti told me he's not just a player, he's a fantastic person. Coming to a team that was in need of reinvigoration and lacking in identity turned out to be a positive: players like Magic Flute and Rabiot thrived in this environment and were happy to interpret football.

I have also experienced that there was a stage in my career where I also felt like a mentality mentor, and I enjoyed those moments very much. Technically, the team had everything it took to win, but it lacked leadership: not anymore. We cannot forget Allegri, who also played a decisive role in changing all this.

With such a mentor, can Leo finally realize his abilities?

Costacurta: The first goal against Fiorentina already showed progress: Rafa (Leo) rarely shot on goal from outside the penalty area before. This time he did it, and then the goalkeeper might have made a mistake, but the shot on target was decisive. Penalty kicks are also new. Whether it is good or bad depends on him. The good thing is that it helps him score 15-20 goals and makes him realize that playing higher up can free him up. It’s a way to get into the role with a new mindset. The bad thing is I don't want him to be satisfied with taking penalties. This cannot take away from his efforts.

Because there is no shortage of competition in this position this time. Between him, Pulisic, Jimenez and Nkunku, who will be your starter?

Costacurta: For me, people like Leo can never be absent. But now I'm anxious: either he responds to me or someone else comes on. He and Pulisic can destroy any defense. Such a rich lineup guarantees internal competition: Nkunku is strong and Jimenez is very interesting. He reminds me of Crespo during the Parma period. Although Santiago (Jimenez) has scoring problems, he is not a good player, but a very good player. He can pull and contain opponents and knows how to cooperate. Besides the superstars mentioned above, he is one of the most positive players on the team. As Ancelotti said of Hernan (Crespo): If a person can create opportunities, the goal will come sooner or later.

To summarize, who or what does Milan need to fear?

Costacurta: Inter Milan and Naples are stronger, but they also have European war tasks and the pressure to win. Milan does not. The style of play may not excite me, but he's changed, too. Teams now try to induce turnovers from their opponents rather than just waiting there. To me, that's a huge difference. Moreover, he will put many players into the opponent's penalty area, conduct more organized pressure, and create conditions for the opponent to make mistakes and profit from them. There is now more initiative to steal the ball and more solutions to handle the ball. The goals scored bear that out.