ruud gullit
Ruud Gullit believes Rafael Leao’s time at AC Milan had come to an end, while he hopes for a better spectacle in the game against Juventus.
Matches between arguably the two biggest clubs in Italy should regularly produce drama, and yet in recent years Juventus-Milan is a contest that has mostly produced boring draws, including several 0-0s. Luciano Spalletti and Ruben Amorim and hoping to change that tonight.
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Both coaches have enjoyed wins in their first two games of the campaign, but somebody’s perfect record has to go, or possibly both teams could drop points for the first time. Amorim is expected to make some changes, including handing a debut to Diego Moreira.
Gullit spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview published on the day of the game at the Allianz Stadium, and he gave his thoughts on the two clubs after tough 2025-26 seasons.
Ruud, how does it feel to see your AC Milan out of the Champions League?
“I’m sorry, some teams have the Cup in their DNA. Last year, the Rossoneri came within a whisker of qualifying, but right at the crucial moment, they wasted months of hard work.
“I hope to see them back at their best soon, but to get to the top, you need players who know how to make the right choices on the pitch.”
Ruud Gullit
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
It was a different story in your day…
“Yes, especially financially. And I’m not just talking about AC Milan, where Berlusconi would chat with the players and talk about the big deals that kept him busy.
“Italian clubs were the richest, and all the players dreamed of Serie A. Now there’s the Premier League, then the Spanish LaLiga. Patience is needed; sooner or later, things will change.”
Among the notable exclusions this year is Juventus. And today, the Rossoneri are playing in Turin.
“Last year I saw Milan-Juve at San Siro, it was a disaster. No goals, no entertainment. On paper, it should have been a big match, but instead… I hope something changes this time.”
On January 10, 1988, at Juventus’ home, you decided the match against the Bianconeri with a header that has gone down in history. Do you ever think about it?
“I’ve scored better goals, but that was special because it proved decisive. I remember Tacconi making a series of great saves; we needed to break the deadlock, and the right ball came from a corner. And it was my first goal against Juve…”
Photos: Marco Luzzani + Angel Martinez/Getty Images for Laureus
Now, at Milan, they expect a lot of goals from Gonçalo Ramos. Is he the right man to break the taboo of Rossoneri centre-forwards?
“I like Gonçalo, but you can’t expect one striker to solve all the problems. How many balls does he get? How do the others who are supposed to serve him in the penalty area play? Ramos deserves trust, but he needs the support of the rest of the team.”
Make a prediction: who is stronger between Juventus and Milan?
“It’s hard to say after just two games. Spalletti is good, while Milan signed Amorim and are focusing on a mix of young and experienced players. Those who make so many changes always need time, and this Milan must work to regain their confidence.”
Let’s move on to the transfer market: do you agree with the decision to part ways with Leao?
“I feel sorry for the boy, but by then the love affair with Milan was over.”
In 2023, at the Maradona, Rafa ran the length of the pitch with the ball at his feet, dribbled past opponents like bowling pins, and set up an easy goal for Giroud in the Champions League quarter-finals. For a while, comparisons were made between Leao and Gullit, who, in Naples in 1988, played down the flank in the same way.
“Do you know what the difference is between a strong player and a champion? Certain things, if you’re a champion, you don’t do just once. Van Basten left everyone speechless every time he stepped on the pitch, Leao managed it in one out of ten games. It’s a shame, because the potential is there.”
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