Maldini: 'Winning spirit has always been there for Milan'

"Our recent history shows us that Milan have many faces, but must never miss the spirit we saw in 2020 and 2021," the club legend and director told Sky Sport Italia.

"This spirit has always been there. It's just that changing many players, sometimes the quality can vary.

"Zlatan Ibrahimovic is obviously precious to us both for what he does on the field and off it with his leadership in the locker room."

The Rossoneri keep on producing great outcomes notwithstanding their sidelined players due to injury, including the

1-1 away stalemate against Manchester United on Thursday. 

"The club has worked in a certain way, the coach aligned with the ideas of the club, the players showed their talent and there are many components that came together.

"I think you can have good periods of form with a few of these elements missing, but to be this consistent over time, it means everyone is working in the same direction."

Do Milan consider tonight's match to be a means for Scudetto's hopes or to secure the

qualification? 

“I think both are valid, as a victory would more or less push all those in fifth place to five points away and at the same time keep up with Inter.”

Franck Kessie dazzled at Old Trafford, catching many eyes in the

. Have Milan talked about a contract renewal? 

“We have already made steps for Kessie, for Calabria and the others whose contract expire in 2022. We haven’t achieved any of the objectives yet, but we’re working on them.”

This is the first run through

Rino Gattuso

has gotten back to San Siro as an adversary against Milan, presently sitting at the helm of Napoli.

“He is a coach who is constantly evolving. We had a hug in the tunnel. I think the greatest thing about Gattuso is that he has an open mind to new ideas, even different ones that he was accustomed to, because football is constantly evolving.”

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