AC Milan were well beaten by Atalanta on Sunday night, even if the scoreline offers somewhat of a different viewpoint.
It’s been nothing short of a nightmare for Milan following the derby win against Inter that, at the time, made the fans dream of a Scudetto race. That couldn’t be further from the truth now, though, as the Rossoneri are fighting for a Champions League spot whilst Inter are 18 points clear of their city rivals.
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Like many times this season, it was a slow start to the game and it resulted in Atalanta opening up the scoresheet just seven minutes in through Ederson. Then, just 20 or so minutes later, Zappacosta added another, with the Diavolo again having no answer whatsoever.
In the second half, we saw more of the same and in the 51st minute, Raspadori managed to score a third goal after the defence collapsed.
With a half-empty San Siro, the Rossoneri finally started to press high up the pitch with five or so minutes to go and seemingly started to create some more dangerous chances which had an immediate effect. Strahinja Pavlovic got a goal back in the 88th minute and the Diavolo continued to push, adding another in the 94th minute.
Here are five things we learned from the game:
1. Time’s up
To start off, I want to highlight that I respect what Rafael Leao has done for the club and he was pivotal for the Scudetto winning season a few years ago. Nonetheless, that was his peak and he is unable to bring his game to the next level, or anything really near it.
Goals and assists aside, Leao just hasn’t been good enough and has not been the leader everybody expects him to be.
He’s unable to adapt his game against a low block and he needs too much space to make something happen. As a result, most teams have learned how to handle him at this point.
He’s just not good enough to play up front, he’s unable to be a target man and in general his passing is sloppy and not good enough as he struggles to combine well with his teammates.
Off the ball he also is not good enough. He does not press and does not help his defence most of the time. Look, if he was actually more efficient up top we would’ve gladly given him a pass but the fact of the matter is that he is not really taking on the responsibility.
Put simply, he only excels in certain conditions that meet his playing style – so having no impact off the ball is not going to cut it.
Given how the fans have reacted to his recent performances and attitude, it doesn’t seem too outlandish to suggest that it might be time for a change for both the player and the club. If the team does make the Champions League, then Allegri must be heard and his requirements must be met on the transfer market. It seems that Leao, for him, is not irreplaceable.
2. The wall crumbles
Three goals after 50 minutes against a struggling Atalanta side is unacceptable, especially for a team that went on to be unbeaten for 24 games.
On the first goal, you could argue that both Matteo Gabbia and Koni De Winter could’ve done a bit better. However, I’m going to put a big part of the blame on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who just stood there and did not close the distance between himself and Ederson to prevent the Brazilian from taking a shot.
The second goal was again very preventable, with Pavlovic completely losing focus, allowing Zappacosta to make a run behind his back and the Italian made the most out of the space he had.
For the third goal, you could argue De Winter could’ve done more to close down Raspadori, but honestly, for Mike Maignan to be beaten at his near post yet again is ridiculous.
The Frenchman has made some superb saves this season and his performances are better compared to last season, but he cannot let in goals like that.
The whole Diavolo defence in the last couple of months is that of a relegation side, not a top-four side.
3. Fatigue down the flanks
Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi had little impact as well. Defensively, they weren’t at fault for the goals, which is good. Saying that, in this 3-5-2 formation, a lot more is expected from them going forward.
It’s okay if one of them is more defensively minded, but if both fail to contribute going forward, we have a problem.
Another issue is that both have played a ton of games this season, especially Saelemaekers, who has no real deputy, although Zachary Athekame has been getting more minutes as of late.
It didn’t exactly help that both Leao and Santiago Gimenez were quite poor in terms of connecting with their teammates, especially Leao. Nevertheless, much more is needed from the flanks and we say nothing on the night.
4. Promising signs
Although it’s hard to get any positives out of this disaster of a game, it’s fair to say that Christopher Nkunku did bring something to the table after coming onto the pitch. Even more so after Niclas Füllkrug was introduced around the hour mark.
The Frenchman created a couple of decent chances for himself, where his finishing let him down, but then followed up with a shot at the crossbar after Carnesecchi got the slightest of touches on the ball.
Nkunku then finally got his goal after winning a penalty himself with a nice first touch and second touch to beat his man, as he then scored calmly from the spot.
Let’s be blunt. The Frenchman has been really poor, especially for the big fee paid in the summer, but this game showed a bit of his potential and also highlighted how much a target man can improve the attack. In fairness, the combinations between him and Fullkrug were quite good at times.
If the Rossoneri are unable to sell Nkunku for a good amount, then they might give him a second season where he just might get going, given the right formation around him.
Honestly, given how poor and inconsistent both Leao and Christian Pulisic have been, it wouldn’t be outlandish to keep the Frenchman. He at least shows glimpses of creativity that might come in handy against the low blocks in Italy.
5. Overhaul needed
If you had doubts about whether or not Allegri managed to get his side to overachieve, they should all be gone by now, as the answer has to be yes. Yes, he did overachieve.
It’s honestly a miracle that Milan were so close to Inter for so long and all of the fans, us included, believed we could win the title for an extended period of time before it all fell apart.
You could point fingers at Allegri for some of his choices, but honestly, if you simply watch the game, you realise that most of the players are not good enough for a big club like the Rossoneri. If you take into account that the management did not listen to the requirements made by the coach, then the verdict should be that this group of players is not good enough.
Hopefully, the Rossoneri seal the fourth spot in the last two games of the season, but come summertime, the management needs to carefully listen to what Allegri has to say.
That means which players he wants gone and what type of profiles or who specifically he wants brought in, then just do it.
The club have brought in a winner in the form of Allegri and by doing so they wanted to show the fans they were serious. The next natural step is to actually be serious on the transfer market because over €120 million for Nkunku, Ardon Jashari, Sameuele Ricci, Pervis Estupinan and Athekame is disgraceful.
Especially when you see Roma getting someone like Malen for 35 million, who has 13 goals and two assists in 16 games since January. Whilst Milan are waiting nine months for Nkunku and two years for Gimenez to get going.
This is what happens when you let idiots make the signings, and then have a coach who is too dumb to recognize when his plan isnt working. Guys like jashari, nkunku, and Ricci could absolutely excel in a more logical system. Yet we insist on playing in a manner which is unsuited to almost all of the players in the squad. This park the bus mentality has been proven in the past 3 months to be unsustainable, yet allegri changes nothing, keeps losing games, and keeps doing it again as if he’s just expecting it to eventually work. Same as how we have 3 different forward at the club yet he KEEPS PLAYING LEAO, who offers nothing and just loses the ball constantly. From top to bottom its incompetent
Well said, mate. Some of our players may be rusty, but, Allegri’s gameplay is too rigid, too predictable. Not sure what we will achieve with him in charge.
Agree.
Even the Udinese game. We switch to 433 but he does it with the wrong players. Keeps Leao at CF instead of letting him play LW.
This. All the coaches have figured Allegri out and neutralize his plans even with far inferior players.
It took only 7 seasons for most fans to realize what was always evident about whats written under #1. Better late than never
In typical Allegri fashion.. the team is crumbling down. This Milan team is a decent squad, playing one match a week! how can we be crumbling down like this !! top 4 should have been guaranteed weeks ago. We made our peace with Allegri saying that our target is the top 4 and not the scudetto, but this is embarrassing. Losing to sides like Atalanta and Sassuolo.
The players gave a pathetic performance no question.. but what exactly have we built here ?Allegri with his usual backdown defeatist mentality against a team like Atalanta at the San Siro! we must take the initiative, create chances! Allegri has no gameplan, no strategy, except play defense and rely on Modric to make few passes.
This is why I was against brining him back.
Losing fourth place to Roma or Como is a clear possibility.
It’s not crumbling down. If you paid attention, you’d realize it’s regressing to mean. Allegri massively over-performed with this team. The current form is about where we should be with this group.
So you’re suggesting clubs such as Sassuolo, Udinese etc have better players than us? How ridiculous.
Stop trying, just leave it.
Does this look like a CL caliber team to you?
Looking at the competitors: for sure! We have better players than Roma, Lazio, Como, perhaps even Atalanta. Only Inter & Napoli have far superior rosters and when it comes to Juve… I don’t know. But even if they did, we’d still have the 4th best players/squad and the TOP4 goes to UCL.
So, in short. Yes. It does look like a CL caliber team.
They look like a CL calibre squad by play like a relegation fated team.
The sad part is, CL or not, we need another reset. The foundations are not strong enough to be competitive. Building a squad ready to win in two to three seasons is much more realistic than winning next season. If we stick with a 3-5-2, we may lose all our forwards and need three to four new ones. If Modric leaves, we need a big signing in midfield. We need to upgrade the fullback/wingback department. Allegri wants a new center back. All this without considering other possible exits like Estupinian, Loftus-Cheek, Tomori, and Fofana. Switching to a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1 could give Leao, Pulisic, Nkunku, Saelemakers another season and the focus shifts to four big signings for the starting eleven with the youth teams filling the gaps. The season after, another three to four signings, youth players integrated, and we’re back.
You are right on the money, I will keep Leao despite the booing from some section of the fake fans, who ought to be cheering the team.
👍💯
Perfectly said.
4-2-3-1 should be our primary formation, then 4-3-3 as back up or even 3-4-3.
I feel like we’re gonna have yet ANOTHER overhaul and sack Allegri and bring a coach that plays Gegenpressing (since it’s the trendy way of playing nowadays), and make sure to bring absolutely no player than can press high.
There can not be another “overhaul” because there was no project in place in the first place. This team has always been reflective of Furlani – random AF every year because of a random AF mercato and a non existent project or plan to move forward.
I think the whole Serie A league is in shambles. The only team who has their $h%t together is Inter, the rest are fighting for champions league cash bag. I was frustrated whenever Allegri said Milan should solely focus on top 4 finish. So basically according to him right now there is nothing wrong because Milan are in 4th position. I assume each and everyone of us here expect Milan to win atleast 1 trophy.
How do you motivate your team each and every week if you keep saying “We want to finish top 4” since the August 2025?
My blood boils when I hear him say 4th place is the target! We are playing one match a week! 4th place should be the minimum. Beating Inter on the double is great.. but I want us to compete for the title.
I still prefer to have Allegri continue next season, and give him more control over transfers.
Ummm thats the mantra from the club President btw…. Top. 4 is enough. He even said so himself and it’s due to the UCL money. That being said, I can’t see a team that can easily oust Inter. It’s too well run
So might as well go for top 4 . But I get what you’re saying… I wouldn’t say that publicly
IKWYDLS still making up things that nobody ever said. Good to see nothing has changed.
The MINIMUM target is 4th place, given the investment made, they’re obviously trying to win the scudetto. Stop pretending otherwise.
“they’re obviously trying to win the scudetto.”
And yet when it was obvious that we needed reinforcement during the winter, they brought nobody (Füllkrug counts as nobody).
I hope you remember in the winter Mateta was a done deal but the medical team opposed the deal in the last minute and Fullkrug was an after thought.
First, Boniface injury.
Second Mateta injury.
The scouting department I think did a decent job in identifying the type of striker we needed but like in both cases I think the negotiations took too long and we should have set deadlines so we can move to alternatives if the deal falls through.
Füllkrug was brought in in 02/01/2026.
In 31/01/2026, we were still pursuing Mateta.
So you got the transfers mixed.
Oh, that means both we’re meant to be complementary to each other.
I think the problem is that the Mateta negotiation was prolonged and they went all in and I don’t think there were many good strikers available in January.
While everyone is entitled to their opinions, I don’t necessarily agree with the 5th point about an overhaul being needed. If you’re overhauling Furlani and Zlatan then yes I agree cuz they just don’t seem to be what we need but if it’s an overhaul of the squad then I disagree. I believe that with a proper coach, we’d be playing better. It’s amazing that you watch a winger fail as a centre forward and still keep playing the winger in cf. If you won’t change the system to suit the guy then drop him and use players suited to the system. It’s like CdK coming here and being used as an AM and failing, only to go to Atalanta and be used as an SS. Our only undoing is a stubborn coach. Also I don’t believe that we overachieved. Well the system overachieved but the players are good enough to achieve better. It’s like everyone thinking Fullkrug is terrible instead of realising the profile of the striker. If you feed him crosses in the box and he still fails then yeah I will agree that he’s terrible but when he has to come on and chase cuz of a system that let’s the opponent have the ball then yeah you’d think he’s terrible. Jashari was supposed to be the guy but well the 40 year old is the guy so what do you expect when Jashari gets a surprise start? We don’t need an overhaul, we just need a coach who can come in and understand the strengths and weaknesses of the players and use them to their strength. It’s either that or you keep forcing the square peg into the round hole and hops that it magically fits.
Next thing I should also mention is that the should stop with the stupid gambles. Why in the world are we hearing names like Italian or Farioli. Yeah along the line they’ll do impressive things with the small clubs but when they eventually come here we know how that turns out. Why’s there no links to Zidane (yeah I know he’s headed to France) or even Pep (who might leave city and be looking for a challenge) or Xavi? I remember when Flick was free and I was hoping that somehow we give him a call which never happened. Instead when they gamble, we get the likes of Fonseca and when they play it safe we get Allegri.
Almost every coach is a gamble.
Allegri was supposed to be a guarantee and look how that pan out.
Italiano isn’t a gamble, he is a proven serie A coach who had reached the max with the mid table club he is with and needs to move to a bigger club. He just beat Napoli.
Italiano a coach with great passion of football, desire, have a grinta like gattuso when he was player. Allegri? Hes like at juventus during his last season. Play like no direction. Ended up getting fired … Milan must resolve all the problems.
The problem isn’t the coach as as it is the management not reinforcing the coach with the players he needs to play hi d*mn system to begin with. Italiano wont be any different.
And in case you haven’t noticed, Bologna aren’t exactly on top of the world right now. Still mid table team with italiano.
“Allegri was supposed to be a guarantee”
Exactly, guaranteed low-block defensive football.
You nailed it.
i do believe you r right to most extent, the Solution is not changing Alegry or players. we only need more intelligent defences which we do not have, Secondly Italian League is not a place for a 40 year player, however Modric was one of the best of ours but he only uses his brain, i thought the idea of Jashari and Modric was to teach him how to play in a more sophisticated league. and Also Ricci he is very motivated and Agile but lacks experience, Secondly, however there was continuous drop for Leao even as FW, but not using his skills it is allegri#s mistake. but i would keep Allegri for a next year but feed him with what he wants. i agree if we sell Leao and USMNT and keep Nkunku and Fulkurg instead i will defenitley invest on some top class defences and wing backs like allegri always had in Juventus. and i will only bring one top class physical midfielder like Goretzka that they are following, the rest can be remained in the team. and of course i will sell Fofana, he is the worst midfielder of milan so far
Leao is an orchid.
Needs perfect conditions to thrive.
LOL. 😂😂😂😂
Such a strange game to evaluate.
We looked awful for most of it. Nothing working in the forward half. Bad passes. Leao trying to run at defenders and easily being shut down. Gimenez looking toothless.
And now goals keep leaking like they were last season. Despite the 352 formation.
But the last 25 minutes showed a big change. Playing a formation that actually suits the forwards. With 433.
Fullkrug was a target and provided quality offloads. Got a tap in from an offside position and could have got a late equaliser if he and Gabbia had not got in each other’s way.
Nkunku suddenly looked fast and dangerous with the ball. I barely noticed him for the first 20 mins of the 2nd half. But once Leao went off and he moved to the left wing he was a different player.
For the remaining games we cannot play 352.
We need wins. No goals will come and the team is so low in confidence in that formation and it is now leaking goals anyway.
There is a funny story circulating on social media about Theo Hernanez and a bunch of other Milan current and past players, but Theo is the main character in the story.
Does this guy work for Allegri’s PR team? Number 5 is the most absurdly ridiculous point. Somehow trying to spin this positively for Allegri?? Please get real.
There are not 4 teams in Serie A with a stronger side than Allegri has with Milan.
They did not overachieve, they got lucky often in the first part of the season, somehow getting results while being outplayed in most games. The luck was bound to run out. This is on Allegri. He has somehow managed to destroy an attack with 2 of the top 5 goal contributors in Serie A in the last 3 years. Pulisic and Leao didn’t suddenly forget how to play.
This ugly, boring, cowardly style of play is terrible to watch and most likely terrible to play in for the players. There is no joy in this kind of football and you can see it on all the players faces and in their attitudes. Nobody wants this. Not the fans and not the players.
24 games unbeaten is not luck, pal. It’s a massive overachievement. Especially with this team.
Not so impressive when you realize half of those were draws…
“Especially with this team.” It’s one of the strongest squads in Serie A. You cannot say there are 4 teams with a stronger squad. Finishing top 4 with this squad with no European play is the bare minimum expected. It is not an overachievement .
Like I said even in the beginning of the season when we were getting results, it was not sustainable. Scoring goals with such few real chances created and getting bailed out by your keeper not really a sustainable strategy.
Strongest how?
Again, can you name the teams that have a stronger squad than Milan???? Can you come up with 4? No, you cannot. Therefor, finishing top 4 with one of the top 4 strongest squads when you have had no European play at all is not some kind of achievement and definitely not an overachievement. It’s the bare minimum you should expect with this squad.
We have Pulisic and Leao, who before Allegri got a hold of them were 2 of the top 3 goal contributors in Serie A the last few seasons. Modric and Rabiot are still in top form. Maignan one of the top keepers in the world. And we are getting embarrassed by the likes of Udinese, Atalanta and Sassuolo.
Leao already done bro.. sold between leao / nkunku. Both has the same position. But depends on whos milan coach next season..
Appreciate the write up on Leao.
And I agree it is probably time for him to go.
He’s had a good innings. 7 seasons is a lot in modern football and for AC Milan it probably earns him a testimonial.
It’d be good to wrap up a top 4 finish against Genoa (with other results going Milan’s way) and to give him a send off in the last game.
And that is also a reminder for all of the catastrophisers.
Milan ARE still 4th, 3 points behind 2nd.
There’s not been a lot to enjoy of late but the season has generally gone better than expected.
Allegri’s own future also hangs by a knife edge.
A point could be the difference between him meeting his stated objective and being awarded with an extension, or not.
If it’s the latter then, yes, I’d support a change of manger but that is a roll of the dice. It took over 5 managers and 6 barren years to get from Allegri to Pioli.
Let’s hope for a big finish and make judgements at the end of the season. The league table rarely lies.
You’re basically saying we should TRANSFER a player right?
A player NOT 10 players every transfer window…..
Scudetto winning player though? Where’s the loyalty right?
“The club have brought in a winner in the form of Allegri and by doing so they wanted to show the fans they were serious. ”
Allegri WAS a winner. His last scudetto came in 2019 – soon enough it is a decade ago. Look at his last season with Juve. That’s his level now.
Whereas the mythical manager in your head has not won anything and may never.
There’s only 4 managers in Serie A who have won a Scudetto (Allegri x 6, Conte x 5, Sarri x 1 and Spalletti x 1), and they’re about to be joined by Chivu.
So stop with your BS.
You don’t have to like his style of play. But stop making BS up, and presenting as fact.
He was stating that he doesn’t win ANYMORE. Why do you get so angry on here?
He gets angry because player transfers happen twice a year. He loses his marbles when a player changes clubs (or someone says one negative comment about a player who plays for the team he CLAIMS to support).
And the summer mercato is getting closer now which means he’ll need to double his meds. 🤷♂️
The past is literally all we have to go on because it’s a provable fact. The future is speculation and BS.
I get angry when people insult and dismiss the manager of the team I still have a soft spot for.
Try getting more angry. Defend your manager and your players. That’s what fans do.
“But stop making BS up, and presenting as fact.”
Allegri hasn’t won a scudetto since 2019. Fact. What are you going to do about it? Cry?
So?
The mythical manager in your head has never won anything.
Milan are 4th, 3 points of 2nd. Support the manager or find another hobby.
Support your club or find another hobby. Como-fan. FFS.
You HAVE TO realize how RIDICULOUS you are with your “support your players/coaches/CEOs/club” cr@p when YOU turned your back on the team and went rooting for Como! Fng hypocrite of the century!
“Malen with 13 goals at Roma”
He wouldn’t even score upto 8 in this Allegri’s system
🙌
2 or 3 would be far more realistic number.
Leao should have been sold a while ago… When he had more value. Nobody has ever fully unlocked Leao and gotten him to play some defense and make the off ball runs.
I think this team fails because we refuse to commit to playing some youth players and building that young core. They should keep Camarda next season.
The reason this team will have an overhaul this offseason is that they will fail to qualify for the UCL. Football careers are short. Does Modric want another season of this? Doe Puli want to stay and play for Allegri another year? Nkunku, who never gets to play?
Here we go again. “Overhaul needed” why? There’s no need for an overhaul. It didn’t work last summer, it’s not going to work this summer.when yall gonna leave that strategy is not working. Keep the team in tact. Build on it. Select whichever coach and form the team around that.
Also….Allegri overachieving?? How?? Yall.on crack. We’re scraping 4th right now and it’s not guaranteed we’d be there at the end of the season.