Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Kaka backing AC Milan to soon return to their former glories

Kaka says he is sad to see the state his former club AC Milan are in, but remains hopeful Vincenzo Montella will turn things around in the coming seasons.

Milan have gone three years without qualifying for Europe and with the Silvio Berlusconi-era now drawing to a close with Chinese takeover talks at an advanced stage, 30 years filled with success is set to be consigned to the history books.

Orlando City midfielder Kaka was part of many of the club's triumphs, including their 2007 Champions League victory, and has told Omnisport News how much it pains him to follow their recent troubles.

"I had very good moments there, I saw Milan at the top of the world, and to see the team like this now, it's sad," he said. "They're still a big club with a great history. Of course the history doesn't go on the field but when you have history like this, it is just a period, so they can come back and be the best in the world."

The 34-year-old, who pulled on a Rossoneri shirt from 2003 to 2009 and again in the 2013-14 season, believes the club now need to develop a strategy to return to the top, modelled on their rivals Juventus.

"In my opinion, Milan have to understand that in this moment they have to go step-by-step," he added. "First step will be qualifying for Europe again and play in the Europa League and Champions League because the [Serie A] favourites again are Juventus. They are doing very well and have a very good team.

"We saw Juve playing Serie B a few years ago and they took advantage of that to build the team again and build a new stadium. After that, they made the Champions League final and they have continued to win Serie A. It's a good example for Italian teams to follow."

It took Juve five years from being promoted back to the top flight in 2007 to winning Serie A again in 2012, but Kaka does not think it should necessarily take that long before Milan are back at the summit.

"I think in a few years we will see Milan fighting for the Champions League again and winning Serie A," he said. "I'm sure Milan can do this again.

"I think he [Montella] is the man. It's not easy. I don't know how the Chinese [new owners] will handle it but I think they will make some changes. I hope these changes will bring Milan to the top again."

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