Boban had initially been bought to become Rijkaard’s successor, which he quickly proved not to be. He’s been used in virtually every positions in midfield, and actually was more of a stopgap in his first few seasons before playing a prominent part in the team. Basically it’s only in Capello’s last year and under Zaccheroni that he was finally used as a playmaker, and in 95 he basically swapped sides with Donadoni, with some success. I don’t think Capello didn’t give him a free role before because of his tactics, though. Imo it’s got more to do with the fact that he was still somewhat unproven and didn’t have what it took yet to follow the steps of his illustrious predecessors.
Still, with the exception of the 4-0 demolition of Barca, the Milan that won the CL under Capello was a poor copy of the one that reached the final by winning all its games the year before. Sure, there was still much quantity, but the quality or rather the consistency were lacking. Savicevic was a genius that could lob Zubizarretta from 40 meters, but hardly the kind of player you would rely on to win you a scudetto. Boban was a good player reaching his prime but far from a leader yet. Donadoni’s star was declining (as was Papin’s), and Baggio never made an impact. So really, playing attractive football wasn’t the easiest thing to do for Capello, nor was it his main concern. To be consistent throughout the year, he needed to add some muscles to team, which materialized into the purchase of Dessailly in January. Of course Cruyff felt the need to say on the eve of the CL final that the difference between Barca and Milan was that the former had bought Romario while the latter were content with Dessailly, and that this would be for all to see the following night. And boy, did we see.
On the whole though, I don’t think a strong defensive midfield is Capello’s trademark. I mean, that’s a system a majority of coaches use. It’s just that like a good closet disciple of the Sacchi doctrine, Capello wants 1) a strong defensive line on which to build 2) a compact team capable to press its opponent 3) A striker whose initials are MVB.
Still, with the exception of the 4-0 demolition of Barca, the Milan that won the CL under Capello was a poor copy of the one that reached the final by winning all its games the year before. Sure, there was still much quantity, but the quality or rather the consistency were lacking. Savicevic was a genius that could lob Zubizarretta from 40 meters, but hardly the kind of player you would rely on to win you a scudetto. Boban was a good player reaching his prime but far from a leader yet. Donadoni’s star was declining (as was Papin’s), and Baggio never made an impact. So really, playing attractive football wasn’t the easiest thing to do for Capello, nor was it his main concern. To be consistent throughout the year, he needed to add some muscles to team, which materialized into the purchase of Dessailly in January. Of course Cruyff felt the need to say on the eve of the CL final that the difference between Barca and Milan was that the former had bought Romario while the latter were content with Dessailly, and that this would be for all to see the following night. And boy, did we see.
On the whole though, I don’t think a strong defensive midfield is Capello’s trademark. I mean, that’s a system a majority of coaches use. It’s just that like a good closet disciple of the Sacchi doctrine, Capello wants 1) a strong defensive line on which to build 2) a compact team capable to press its opponent 3) A striker whose initials are MVB.
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