Boban: Milan progressed in just one aspect, Arsenal 'fourth' Champions League favourite
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Former AC Milan figure Zvonimir Boban gave his assessment that Milan have only improved in one aspect, while tipping Arsenal as the fourth favourite for the Champions League.
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Attributed to original sourceFormer Milan star Zvonimir Boban sees ‘no progress’ for Milan, except for Ruben Amorim’s playing style, admits being a ‘fan’ of Como’s project and feels Barcelona, PSG and Bayern Munich are the best teams in Europe: ‘Arsenal are my fourth favourite to win the Champions League.’
Milan were the highest spenders in Serie A during the summer transfer window, investing circa €165m in new signings, including Gonçalo Ramos from PSG for €75m and Diego Moreira for €65m, both including add-ons.
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 28: Goncalo Ramos of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Venezia FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) The Rossoneri have won the opening two games of the Serie A season, beating Torino 2-1 away and Venezia 2-0 at home.
Nevertheless, Boban still thinks the Rossoneri are far from the top sides in Italy.
“For years, Milan haven’t done Milan-like things, in any sense,” the Dinamo Zagreb president told Gazzetta.
“I don’t see any progress, except for the courage and desire to play attacking football. Last year, they lost to Cagliari because they had played defensive football all season; when the time came, they couldn’t dominate the match.
“Ramos was paid a disproportionate price; on the other hand, he moves well for goals and has an eye for goal, but we are far from the quality that changes the dimension. Rather, I was moved by the story of Cisse, a young lad who came from nowhere thanks to his talent.”
Former Croatian international and AC Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban arriving for the Best FIFA Football Awards 2019 in Milan, Italy, 23 September 2019. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI Boban’s is also quite critical of Italian football.
“In terms of ideas, we are far from Europe and its concept of speed. Italian football is not very attacking, increasingly physical and less proactive,” he said.
“In the post-Sacchi era, 90% of winning teams played with a back four and two wide players, whereas in Italy, they play modernised catenaccio with three-man defences. It’s up to the clubs to change direction; the federation cannot impose it.”
The Croatian legend, however, sees an encouraging example in Serie A: “Como. I’m a fan of the project and how Fàbregas is coaching the team. And then there’s Baturina, a lad from Dinamo Zagreb, just like me.”
The Champions League returns next week, and among the big games in round 1 of the league phase are Napoli-Arsenal and Real Madrid-Inter.
Boban was asked about his favourites to win the competition: “Barcelona, PSG, and Bayern are the best, and Yamal would be my choice for the Ballon d’Or: he has absurd talent; he’s still a kid, but the naturalness with which he plays is unique,” he replied.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 20: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, walks to the dugout prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Arsenal FC at Stadio San Siro on January 20, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) “Among the English teams, I’d say Arsenal: they’re my fourth favourite. I’m curious; the new format has proven captivating, and commenting on the matches is always enjoyable.”
Boban also said that Manchester City’s decision to hire Enzo Maresca after Pep Guardiola “has logic,” given Maresca’s “propositional idea of football,” but also admitted being surprised by Luis Enrique: “He is certainly already in history: he performed a miracle; I didn’t think he was that good,” Boban concluded.
“It struck me how he found a place for Dembélé, who in Barcelona didn’t understand how to collaborate with others. It seems to me to be in the category of Kovacs, Sacchi, Cruijff, Guardiola, Capello: the greats”.
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What happened
Zvonimir Boban, the former AC Milan midfielder and former director, shared his assessment of Milan's recent progress, claiming the club has only advanced in one specific area. Separately, he ranked Arsenal as the fourth favourite to win the Champions League. The comments come as European club competition continues to draw attention from high-profile pundits, with Boban offering his perspective on the balance of power among elite clubs and Milan's standing relative to them.
Chance analysis
When a voice as respected as Zvonimir Boban singles out Milan's stagnation, it adds weight to a growing narrative that the Italian giants remain in transition despite marquee signings and coaching changes. His ranking of Arsenal behind the traditional favourites reflects the Premier League club's growing European pedigree after years of falling short at the knockout stage. For fans tracking the Champions League landscape, this is another data point in how former insiders view the competitive hierarchy going into the business end of the tournament.
Boban's comments reinforce Arsenal's status as a top-tier Champions League contender while casting doubt on how far Milan's project has actually developed.