AC Milan failed in their mission to get themselves back into the Scudetto discussion as they were held to a goalless draw by Juventus at San Siro on Saturday evening.
In truth it was a dire contest between a Milan side who seemed to sacrifice all attacking firepower in making themselves more solid at the back, and a Juventus side who were happy with a draw from minute one.
Milan did not manage a shot on target until the 95th minute and that was a rather tame Theo Hernandez header. The jeers at full-time said it all as the fans are aware of how far away the top four spots are becoming.
Below is five things we learned from what was not a good advert for Italian football.
1. Concerning mentality
The team’s mentality has been very concerning since Paulo Fonseca joined the club. Excluding a couple of games where the Rossoneri really shifted into gear – namely against Inter and Real Madrid – it has been disappointing and frustrating to watch.
Against Cagliari we saw the team lacking the focus and even grit at times that could’ve prevented them from conceding three goals, not to mention the lack of organisation and leadership at the back.
Milan looked good defensively this time around but this shouldn’t be regarded as praise since the Bianconeri came with an injury crisis in the attacking department and still got clearer chances than the home side.
In the middle Milan were slow and predictable whilst the forwards failed to impose themselves in the game, which was also valid for the substitutes that came on.
The lack of passion and desire to push for the three points was disturbing to say the least given how many points Milan have dropped since the start of the season, and one would think that against a depleted Juventus side Fonseca would’ve instructed his players to go out and try to win it.
2. Defence not bold enough
Containing the attacks of Juventus shouldn’t have been such an issue as we already mentioned given their injuries up front, so it was probably expected that Theo and Emerson Royal were going to be a bit more active down the flanks, but we saw nothing like that on the night.
The Frenchman didn’t seem to want to go on his famous runs forward and most of his passes were simple or backwards. Given the concerns about his physical and psychological state, this wasn’t a particularly reassuring performance.
The same can be said about Emerson, who was even worse as he gave the ball away multiple times even without any significant pressure on him. He found it very difficult to stop Kenan Yildiz, who the media described as having ‘bullied’ him.
We can also criticise Matteo Gabbia and Malick Thiaw a bit. It may be harsh because the creativity should have come from the departments further up the field, yet sometimes the starting point of the build-up needs to be quicker and bolder on the ball.
#ACMilan have collected just 19 points after 12 games in Serie A, their lowest tally in the last five seasons (including the current one):
➤ 2020/21: 28
➤ 2021/22: 32
➤ 2022/23: 26
➤ 2023/24: 23
➤ 2024/25: 19 pic.twitter.com/imD31PEQNr— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) November 23, 2024
3. The drought continues
It was the same old story with Alvaro Morata. He did a lot of work in both phases of the game and covered a lot of ground defensively.
It is admirable as he also tracked back and tried to recover the ball when he lost it, and most times he either did that or committed a tactical foul to prevent a dangerous counter for Juventus.
However, it should be obvious by now that this work rate needs to be supplemented with a striker that is actually a threat in the opponent’s penalty box since Morata is rarely there.
We saw the efficiency when Morata and Abraham were both fielded in a 4-4-2 and we haven’t seen that formation since, despite it evidently getting the most out of what the Spaniard can offer.
The issue that Fonseca has is that Abraham hasn’t been fully fit for a while now and there are no other options unless the coach wants to play Francesco Camarda. Some fans are beginning to miss Olivier Giroud, and that says it all.
4. Leao looks lost
Rafael Leao has been scrutinised a lot since the start of the season and whilst some criticism is justifiable it might be fair to say that the winger can’t magically solve all of Milan’s problems by himself.
The teams that Milan face are well aware of the threat that is Leao and unfortunately he’s the only threat a lot of the time, especially when Christian Pulisic is not on the pitch. It makes it extremely easy for his opponents to commit an extra man to mark, limit his space and ultimately neutralise him.
Ideally, in this case the rest of the team can step up and exploit the space which has opened up because of the doubling up on Leao, but the quality seems to be lacking and this never happens.
What actually happens is that Milan’s creativity drops to zero as seen against Juventus. Fonseca’s tactics also seem to fail the Portuguese as we don’t really seem the team play around him even though the expectations are for him to lead the attack.
The movements are slow, the passes are predictable, the players take too long to release the ball and realistically there probably isn’t a player that you can just put in Leao’s spot and expect wonders.
The point is that we cannot expect the winger to produce magical moments every game given the circumstances.
5. Time say goodbye?
We are again at the stage to question wether or not Fonseca deserves to keep his job and given the position in the table. With just 19 points in 12 games, it seems like a logical choice if Milan were to signal they have any ambitions at all to save the 125th anniversary season.
Nonetheless, the issue is that if the coach was to be sacked then who would actually replace him in the middle of the season and will that have a positive effect?
The management missed the train with the likes of Antonio Conte, Roberto De Zerbi and perhaps arguably Thiago Motta, and now are forced to suffer the consequences since the alternatives are limited.
Regardless, if the team continues in the same fashion one could argue that any coach could match Fonseca’s record or even be an upgrade given the negative results the Portuguese delivers.
For the title train to have departed without Milan before the end of November is damning. If the negative run continues fan enthusiasm will drop, and then it might before a financial decision above all from RedBird Capital.
1. I’m starting to think that the management took the 4th place (which is their minimum objective) for granted and sought what they think the minimum cost coach and players who will get them that. But right now, even that place is getting further and further away because of these types of decisions.
2. This question was asked more than once and personally I was always hesitant but today I will say this: I think we should give Fonseca a maximum of 3 serie A games. If by the next 3 serie A games (UCL and coppa Italia have be judged differently) the gap with the fourth place isn’t closing enough and the team doesn’t improve, we will have to consider that the season is over, mission failed and that he should be sacked to at least give the new coach time to figure out the team and what to do with it. While we’re at it, sack Moncada and Ibrahimovic with him.
3. About coaches who didn’t win big titles (yet): how did Liverpool ends with a guy like Arne Slot and we end up with Fonseca ?
Because we are Milan our management have mediocre mentality just to be play ucl that’s all and from look of things it’s like we might not if we continue in this path
1. I agree. We’re playing for 4th, not even top four, against Lazio, Fiorentina and Juventus. Top three will be Inter, Napoli and Atalanta in whatever order.
2. At this point I think we’re stuck with Fonseca until the end of the season. Who is available right now to give time to “figure the team out”? Any long term solution will have to wait until the summer, so might as well stick with Fonseca.
3. I was thinking the same thing today after seeing Liverpool move 8 points clear at the top of the PL.
2. If we establish we already missed the opportunity to qualify for the UCL, what’s the point sticking with Fonseca ? Might as well search or contact a new coach before another team snatches him so at least he can give his impressions by the summer.
I asked this question and still have not gotten a good answer but to be called a Maldini lover.
Maldini was demonized and fired for his mistakes, which coincidentally was also caused by those above him. But this present management keeps on going like a locomotive without brakes and no punishment for their actions.
So my question what would it take for them to be fired from their jobs. Because it looks like as long as Milan does the bare minimum, the gods that be are contented.
“I’m starting to think that the management took the 4th place (which is their minimum objective) for granted” . Said the same in another article. They went against their own principles by hiring a no ghrantee Fonsy, especially when they don’t really care about what choices they make (apart from from the Lopetegu thing for some strange reason). If their objective is top 4 (and I did warn ppl last year about this), then just stick with Pioli for the long term. You’re guaranteed top 4 and may once in a while have a real trophy or be in the flashy part of the knock out rounds of the UCL where your name gets blasted worldwide….which I presume Gerry would like.
I like how we got a clean sheet and people wanna chew out the defense…
If we played with 11 instead of 10 (ruben where you went?), who knows. But I don’t like what ifs in football.
Anyone who wasn’t expecting a boring tactical match… yall need to pay attention or something…
Isn’t the author’s point that they were 1) subpar in the ball delivery and offensive contribution (mostly Theo) and that 2) Royal was horrible? Both of these statements are true.
“I like how we got a clean sheet and people wanna chew out the defense… ”
No one was really mediocre defensively (well aside from Emerson Royal who became Cambiasso and Yildiz’s b1tch), but it’s not like juve tried that hard to attack. Like, their ST yesterday was a CM…
Teams canceled each other out.
I wonder if the juve press is praising motta for a draw or wondering why they didn’t take out a timid Milan
I don’t know about them, but for me Motta as well deserves some criticism. It’s almost the end of november and juventus seems as incapable of producing an attack as they did under Allegri and the only time they did attack, they conceided 4 goals. However, they have much lesser offensive firepower than most contenders and they are certainly much closer to a top 4 spot than us.
As for Saturday’s game, while they were as boring as us, they could always say that they didn’t have options to attack, that they were playing an away game against a team that defeated some greats this season (us) and that, in regards to their rankings and point, they could afford to draw this type of games. What is our excuse ?
Guess our excuse is we should’ve signed thuram not fofana.
Funny thing when talking about atk. Napoli has the same amount of F goals as we and 1 less than juve.. yet they got 10 more points.
1. Emerson is not royal.
Dude needs to sit on the bench until he remembers he is a professional footballer and got this far for a reason. He was clearly inside his own head and couldn’t get out.
2. Puli is our Talisman.
The team played better when h came on.
3. Puli is wasted at 10.
He is probably our best 10, but that is a problem that should be addressed in another way (433 maybe?)
Morata should play 10 or 9.5 while Tammy or Kamarda is the 9.
4. Chuk has regressed.
I was actually embarrassed for the guy. He simply could not move because Juve were clearly told to simply stand on his left foot.
He certainly works off the ball and knows where to be. A big improvement from last season. However, he is clearly unable to be effective when closed down from the left.
5. Fonzy game management is a concern.
We seem to show up to games with a plan. Our ability to execute the plan has been suspect.
This game marks the second time he waited longer than expected to sub.
That a pro coach said there was no reason to bring in Tammy because we needed Morata is a puzzle.
Clearly Juve was going to overload the mid because they lacked a striker. Abraham is exceptionally mobile. We needed a goal.
C’mon Fonzy solve the puzzle.
It’s the managements fault, Spurs had a worse team then Milan last year and royal still sucked. I don’t know in what world they thought he would be brought in and immediately help the team, he literally needs to be taught how to defend which could take a while and still not resolve the situation
Well said. On all 5 points.
The only two things we actually learnt (instead of confirmed, there is a big difference):
1) 32-year old Morata is not even a 32-year old Giroud in terms of 12-15 goals a season. He is a hard worker semi-midfielder who won’t give us many goals even against open play opponents, let alone low block teams. Abraham probably deserves more minutes than he actually gets, the guy spent the whole break at Milanello and had a lot of energy in him.
2) Musah is not a winger, he would actually be a great asset in a 3-5-2/3-4-3 formation as the guy who backs up the actual right-standing defender.
19 points in 12 games?
Management should be very pleased. What next for Milan Ibra?
Fonzi was your doing 💩
Instead of reading his resume you looked away at your own interests
Things i learnt.
1. Fonseca has until the Genoa game to turn things around or he needs to be gone. Next 3 serie a games are Empoli (H), Atalanta (A), Genoa (H). The Atalanta game could get ugly.
2. I don’t care what alternative they come up with but Royal needs to be benched.
3. RLC ditto.
4. Fonseca needs to use his bench better. This game was desperate for injection of change but the subs came way too late. Pulisic at 70 mins. Finally Chuk, Calabria at 84 min. Why was Gabbia changed? Why was Moratta left on and none of Okafor, Abraham or Camarda given any minutes at all
Excellent comment. But I would argue that Emerson Royal should be sold in January at any price they offer and continue with Florentzi and Calabria in his position. The man who brought him to Milan should be kicked off as well.
And also, if you ask me, sell Theo before his price gets much lower. He does not seem to be interested in us anymore.
Try also to bring back Adli who is excellent in all matches in Fiorentina and hope Bennacer will be healthy soon and be as good as he was.
ChristosP I’m not suggesting that Royal is worth our time and money but Florenzi is injured until late April so he isn’t an option for us and with an expiring contract its doubtful that he will be renewed.
Fiorentina has an option to buy Adli so it seems highly unlikely that he will return for us.
Warren I can see him getting canned if we doesn’t win the next 3 games so it might happen faster than your prediction.
“Emerson Royal should be sold in January”
LOL. Everyone who thinks anyone would pay a single penny for Royal is fng delirious. Mark my words: He will leave Milan as a free agent with Milan getting zero compensation. He will be our new Origi 2.0. Except that that no one will even show any interest in him. At least with Origi there were some offers but he rejected them all. No one will contact Milan for this guy.
The ads kill me… See u later m.sempremilan.com
Pioli was asking for a better right winger, they brought puli and Chuck took Sandro out….. The only problem pioli was having is the right winger not scoring…. The management was never fair to pioli…… Pioli is a better coach the fonsesca….. Fofana can never be Sandro….