Gennaro Gattuso says he is ‘happy with all the players Milan have signed’ this summer as Pepe Reina has ‘already’ improved Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Milan’s match against Napoli kicks off at 19:30 BST on Saturday.
“Yesterday morning I heard from Carlo. You all know the relationship we shared,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“For me, he was more than a Coach. There was something that went beyond the link between a player and Coach.
“I’d call him in times of difficulty. I have to eat more pasta to get to his level… It’ll be difficult in Naples, but we’ll do our best to bring some points home.
“This Napoli still resemble Sarri’s. He’s put his print on them, but he still has a lot to do. No-one, not even those who didn’t play, could speak badly of him: he was coherent and he’d hold his heart in his hand.
“He never lied, he was a maestro and we took a leap in quality under him. We can become stronger than last season, but we need time.
“We won’t win any games with just Higuain. We need the collective, even if he’s one of the 10 best strikers in the world: it’s necessary to play as a team, not to concede a goal and then turn to Higuain.
“After that, it depends on how the season goes. Look at Andre Silva: he asked us to leave, even though the club and I wanted to keep him.
“Let’s hope the same doesn’t happen with Higuain… It’ll be a busy season, but it can also be very positive: the goal is to build on last season and qualify for the Champions League.
“I want to see character against Napoli and that we never turn off the light. I hear from Leo 2-3 times a day, while I see Paolo [Maldini] here.
“There’s sincerity and respect, a touch that brings new air and adrenaline to the club. I see the team fired up in front of them, and that makes me feel good.
“Caldara comes from a totally different brand of football, but he has great desire and mentality, he’s working hard and he won’t have any problems.
“He’s a cut above the others. Bakayoko? I thought he was slower than he is, but he’s amazed me with his dynamism.
“He has to improve, but technically he can also have his say. Donnarumma-Reina? They’ll be split between competitions, which is why Gigio can become the best in the world.
“He must watch Pepe for how he fulfils the role, for how he is on and off of the field. He already seems like a different goalkeeper.
“He’s been incredibly lucky. Now it’s up to him: all he needs to do is ‘copy and paste’ [from Reina].
“Montolivo? He’s injured, but he knows that once he starts training again, he’ll be part of the group.
“Castillejo? He has fizz in his legs. He knows how to turn in an instant. I’m happy with all the players we’ve signed.”