Mark Branca gave a long interview to the ‘Gazzetta dello Sport’. The Inter manager of Tripletnow Managing Director of First, a footballers’ agency, expressed his opinion on Milan’s decision to focus on Alvaro Morata: “The initial idea, Zirkzee, was too expensive and he is reliable for the team’s performance: whether he scores or not, he guarantees great physical and tactical work”.
Inter instead immediately focused on two luxury free agents: Zielinski and Taremi. “Two high-level deals seven months ago, to combine technical-physical and role-playing skills that were needed with the economic aspect”. And on Zaniolo’s return to Serie A: “Atalanta – continues Branca – is looking for players who are technically and physically strong and Zaniolo is one of them. Gasperini’s work strengthens the mentality of the players that the club takes and is perfect for Zaniolo: a good fit”.
Finally, on the work to be done in Italy to start producing talent again, this is Branca’s thought: If you want youth sector coaches to feel that their mission is to grow talents not tactically but technically, they must not be underpaid. Otherwise they only think about winning championships, to hope for a call to the professionals, instead of training. It is an investment that clubs must make: looking for teachers especially in technique, more difficult to educate than tactics: to develop the imagination that is being lost, the desire to focus on the man that was our strength and today is no longer taught. Today we teach how to pass the ball 25 times to get up ten meters…”