The showdown. The weekend that is about to arrive will be put into the archives in this way, such are the revolutionary perspectives that introduce it, and not only for the hottest topic: the one linked to benches. In addition to an international puzzle still almost completely to be put together, there are also the great maneuvers that correspond to the most important champions on the continental scene. Lots of irons on the fire, therefore, with different courses of the highest level.
Speaking of Milan, the assumption from which to start is that Paulo Fonseca has not yet signed the contract for which the Rossoneri club and its representatives have in any case found an agreement in principle.
Furthermore, we have told and explored the genesis of the idea in these columns, from the moment the profile was proposed for the first time in mid-April, up until the change of pace at the beginning of May with which the former coach of Roma and Shakhtar Donetsk has begun to sow the candidacy of his compatriot Sergio Conceicao.
If the timelines outlined were in line with expectations, next week should be the definitive white smoke. With all due respect to the social movements and the demonstrations of dissent expressed by the Rossoneri people, and while waiting for what will happen at San Siro on the last day of the championship, an aspect that is anything but to be underestimated and which has already proven to be particularly important for decision makers.
A circumstance that will serve the Rossoneri people to demonstrate what the club would risk losing if the planning of the programs were not in line with the coat of arms of one of the most important and representative clubs in the world. It will be an opportunity to say goodbye to Stefano Pioli, a coach who had the merit of enriching the Rossoneri’s trophy case with a championship, but who paid a very high price for the comparison with the other half of the Naviglio. The story is over, without controversy and with elegance on both sides, and the last page deserves to be filled with applause, gratitude and “Pioli is on fire”. For everything that the two parties represented for each other during their sporting marriage.
The hottest topic linked to the Rossoneri players comes from Spain and follows the rumors that we had already introduced a few months ago: Theo Hernandez is Bayern Munich’s main target for the post-Alphonso Davies team. End of discussion, at least for now. Because if on the one hand we confirm what was written at the end of February regarding the Bavarians’ plans, on the other hand we underline that the Frenchman’s desire would be to continue his adventure with the Rossoneri, provided that the discussions linked to his contract renewal reach an agreement satisfactory for all. A bit like in the case of Maignan, who also boasts, among others, the same suitor as his teammate.
The moment of his first official exit as owner of Inter for the Oaktree fund is approaching, and the eve hours are agitated by the future prospects of Lautaro Martinez. The Nerazzurri captain represents the main asset at a technical level of the squad which has just won its second star, but the discussions linked to his contract renewal continue to take center stage despite the optimism shown by the management in all circumstances in which it is had the opportunity. The agent of the Nerazzurri captain, Alejandro Camano, had a different opinion and, as a perfect interpreter of his role, on the one hand expressed his joint desire to continue with the Nerazzurri colours, but on the other highlighted all the conditions necessary for the desire to both parties are satisfied. Is the value of the number 10 in all respects comparable to that of the strongest attackers on the world scene? And then his salary must also grow until it approaches those figures. This is in broad terms the meaning of the statements, which when dissected tell of an initial request of 12 million per season which is totally incompatible with the recovering budgets of the Italian Champions. Reason why the negotiation between the parties will have new chapters to write. Updates that will also make it clear whether the project imagined by the new Nerazzurri ownership will count on the value on the pitch of the most decisive player of the last championship, or whether he will instead choose to lay the foundations of the Nerazzurri’s future from the maxi capital gain linked to his farewell.
Returning to the bench dominoes, the next few hours will also be decisive for the future of an absolute champion: Gian Piero Gasperini. What he did to Atalanta was equivalent to a trophy even before he raised it to the sky in Dublin, let alone how it can be interpreted after having consigned his creation to the history of football. The similarity between the wife and the attractive suitor makes romantics think that at the end of the reflections there could be a happy ending with permanence and renewal. The question that seems legitimate to raise is linked to all the other teams that have waited for the continental consecration of this coach to knock on his door. De Laurentiis has been courting him for unsuspecting times, but just to give a concrete example, in the very long list of candidates for the Milan bench, wouldn’t a Gasperini have been a good fit? We absolutely think so, and it would hardly have raised voices of dissent.
A closing on the soap opera Barcelona: according to the information in our possession, the denials regarding the comparison between Deco, Bojan and Flick are purely strategic. The contact took place, before the Blaugrana manager admired Lookman’s prowess in Dublin, and the result was to obtain confirmation from the German coach of his absolute first choice aimed at the Catalans regardless of the alternative suitors. A line of discontinuity compared to Xavi and the solution built at La Masia that would lead to Rafa Marquez. A choice generated rather by Laporta and the suffocating pressing of Pini Zahavi. On the other hand, if he has always been considered one of the most influential agents on the planet… there must be a reason.
