Journalist Luca Serafini has given his analysis on what he believes to be a ‘fragile’ AC Milan team at the moment, one that is perhaps lacking some ‘Italian soul’.
January was not kind to Milan in 2023, and this year it risks going the same way. The defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia is one that means another trophy opportunity has fallen by the wayside, and Pioli will no doubt be aware that he is in the dock one again.
Forbes today even mentioned the suggestions Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to bring in Antonio Conte as boss from next season, given that he has a history of winning and has been without a club since leaving Tottenham last season.
However, Pioli faces the immediate task of stabilising things again after another damaging result, but 2023-24 risks being a very forgettable season given that only the Europa League really remains available to fight for.
Serafini published his weekly column for MilanNews and he reflected in detail on the current moment that Milan find themselves in, one that risks becoming another crisis if Sunday’s result is a bad one.
“The tendency to get beaten boxers back on their feet, to bring back into the game those who are now out of the game, to reopen issues that would have been locked in the chest, is a chronic weakness that Milan this season is unable to shake off,” he began.
“An attitudinal fragility that unfortunately concerns the most experienced and gifted, those who should transmit the killer instinct as well as the reaction in moments of difficulty. Instead, the Rossoneri dominate and take the lead in the first half with a title-winning roster, squandering everything in a disconcerting way as the minutes pass.
“Sufficiency, lightness, total absence of the sense of danger like a puppy crossing the highway. Even in Empoli this happened and only by chance the Tuscans were unable to reopen the game: two rebounds in the middle of the area and a good save by Maignan avoided yet another opponent comeback.
“As soon as the bar of a match is raised or lowered, Milan packs up. Apart from the technical mediocrity combined with the sesquipedal touchiness of the referee Di Bello, on Wednesday against Atalanta immediately after Leao’s opener in a first half of total control, the usual mental butter melted in the heat of a prolonged celebration.
“In the action of the immediate equaliser by the Bergamo side, the defence is willing to act like a seaweed – to put it in Scoglio’s words – floating instead of taking a position and reading the development of the opponent’s attack: 6 men against 3 let themselves be skewered like thrushes.
“After the invented penalty in the second half, there is no order, there is no composure, there is no skill: fire, anger, hunger are missing and the derbies, Napoli, Lecce, Udinese, Salernitana come to mind. All hot meals ended up in the garbage with the leftovers.
“Strange, given that in addition to character, personality and mischief, hunger is also missing. We need to light the fire. I’m not talking about Pioli: the army of fans who want him out is armed and fed, it’s obvious that the credit and blame for a team’s results mostly rest with the coach.
“The resolution of the injury problem and some choices of the device are the most popular accusations, but I still have to find someone to explain to me why Milan are in the Scudetto fight in the first half, relegation in the second half.
“Mentality, ferocity, determination, attention, concentration, do they train? Maybe yes, but I have the personal feeling that in some cases not even Ibrahimovic is enough as a motivator: the chick becomes a rooster or a chicken. The breeder doesn’t always have anything to do with it.
“I don’t know if I’m romantic or simply dated, but I believe that a more Italian soul would help to better understand Serie A, our tactical football, the sense of belonging, as well as the habits and customs of this country.
“I think that Inter – among other things – has in this trademark one of the advantages over the others: Darmian, Acerbi, Di Marco, Frattesi, Barella, Bastoni have not had to learn many things. So the arrival of Terracciano and the interest in Buongiorno are two ideas that I like.
“What is certain is that a third of January has flown by and – beyond the purchasing passports – we need to hurry to fix a decimated squad. Champions League, Italian Cup and presumably Scudetto have already evaporated: the Europa League, the derby and a place on the podium remain to give meaning to the next 5 months.”
Agree 100%
The main problem for the squad is mental, and more Italians would surely help.
Well, been thinking the same thing. Not solely Italian players, but players on the same league. When was the last time we bought a star from our own league? It was Tonali I think. Maybe this growth decree fiasco will do just that.
Lol everyone became Sacchi overnight. This has been a pleasure to watch.
Not really. Inter practices this and they’ve arguably been the best team in Italy for the last 3-4 seasons overall (yes, even if we and Napoli won a scudetto). Juventus has always had an Italian spine and look at their record. It’s not by coincidence that Inter is now following this model after the arrival of Marotta. Juventus spent almost nothing on the market and instead incorporated a number of primavera players, and they’re fighting for a title (yes, I know they don’t have European football). We need more Bartesaghis, Zerolis, Traores, Tonalis, and Colombos. We need to be making signings like Frattesi. Even Roma has gotten a shot in the arm from the emergence of Bove. These players know what it means to play for the colors, what the league is about, what the people are about, etc. I’m not saying we need 11 starters that have come through the academy, but at least 2-3 plus another 2-3 that have come from other Italian teams.
Acquired one of the most prestigious Italian clubs and now trying to make it go global/international/USA while still competing in Italy and Europe. Clowndinale.
Sure, let’s blame the owner for wanting to make the club a commercial success, instead of the coach and board for the mess on the field. If you want to see a clown, look in the mirror.
Absolutely that’s what Milan is missing . Average or below average Italian players in the squad. That will fix everything.
Look at Juventus. They bring up young players from their Primavera and none is Italian.
Soule, Yildiz , Iling Junior etc.
Outside of bum a*s Locatelli do they even have an Italian that starts for them?
Milan brings up Simic and Jimenez, also non Italian.
Where is the Italian talent.
Bartesaghi is yet to get a start Outside of some garbage time minutes.
The Italian advantage that Inter has this season is coming from the Italian referees not from their many Italian players.
About JUVENTUS :
-As starters: CHIESA-GATTI, in addition TO LOCATELLI, sometimes COMBIASO
-Primavera : MIRETTI-FAGIOLI
About INTER-MILAN : DIMARCO-BARELLA-BASTONI all stood ouf of the crowd in Hight Stake champions league matches, in addition TO ACERBI-DARMIAN averages players but too reliable never dissapointe NerrazuronFan, FRATESSI by the time he is progressing
-About ITALIAN TALENT :
SCALVINI-CALAFIORI (why the hell did they choose Pellegrino instead of him, same age same position some transfer fee, The Italian has already recorded 40 matches in Europe, the Argentine player…. 17 matches in Weak Champions ship)
There are other blue talent, but wait and see
Di Gregorio, Vicario, Scalvini, Calafiori, Tonali, Ndour, Udogie, Gnonto, Casadei, Berardi, Scamacca, Retegui.
People talk about Italian talent like they are some 5th tier Taiwan league players.
Ted, appreciate the effort but is that list is supposed to impress anyone?
Stop whining about referees, it’s pathetic. Inter have a great squad and it just so happens some of their best players are Italian. As for average – Chuck and Musah.
Why the Musah hate? I think he’s a good player. He’s 20 and been asked to play everywhere but striker and GK by this coach who changes formations and injures players every game. Remember how the great Kessie was his first season with us?
Musah is great. We just haven’t seen the finished product yet.