AC Milan have found themselves starting into the abyss of another season without a trophy after a very damaging few days in terms of results.
Milan beat Lazio, Slavia Praha, Empoli, Slavia Praha, Verona, Fiorentina and Lecce to approach their set of four games against Roma, Sassuolo, Roma and Inter in the best way. What happened, they lost three of them and drew one, melting like snow in the sun.
A defining period
Before that streak of seven wins there was another difficult period, but managing to string together so many victories in a row seemed to have given new life and confidence to the squad, which had started playing in a more assured way.
Milan’s Europa League tie against Roma over two legs and the chance to postpone the Scudetto celebrations in the derby were real stimuli to end the season, something that might have enticed those who are into sports betting.
However, when the chips were down the Rossoneri again failed in the big moments. They were beaten 1-0 at San Siro by Roma and then 2-1 in the return leg as they failed to mount a comeback, meaning they crashed out of Europe earlier than planned (again).
Then there was the 3-3 draw at Sassuolo, which drew new questions. Why did Pioli/the team choose to play with so much space behind the defence, especially in the first half, despite the characteristics of the two centre-backs suggesting otherwise?
Simon Kjaer and Malick Thiaw (plus Alessandro Florenzi) were in far from perfect physical condition and yet they were told to defend with 50 metres of the field behind them, producing situations that bordered on embarrassment.
The derby loss against Inter was the one that perhaps hurt the most though. Not only was it the sixth defeat in a row against the Nerazzurri, but it was also the victory that allowed them to celebrate the Scudetto which is the 20th in their history, thus meaning they got the second star before the Rossoneri.
Changes are coming. Fabrizio Romano has given the following update on X: “Stefano Pioli will be sacked by AC Milan board at the end of the season despite public statements after the Derby. AC Milan are already looking for new manager.”
Scaroni’s words
President Paolo Scaroni spoke during an even at San Siro on Wednesday and he was asked about some important topics, starting with the derby defeat of a couple of days prior.
“The day before last at San Siro it was a heavy, difficult day. We would like to win against Inter every now and then, we have lost too many games in a row. But the season isn’t over yet: we have to fight to defend second place.
“But I consider the season good, maybe not excellent. We have had many injuries and we need to reflect on this. But all in all we got through this too. Inter fully deserved to win the title. I congratulate Inter, Marotta and Antonello.”
Scaroni was asked whether he could confirm that Pioli will remain in charge as the head coach, given his previous public declarations of faith on the issue.
“No, I won’t confirm it. Our coach is Pioli, at the moment and until the end of the season he will be the one. I’m counting on Pioli to make us win the matches we want to win to guarantee us second place.
“Then at the end of the season Pioli and the management will make assessments for the future, I would like to avoid this topic until the end of the season.”
The president then highlighted an element of the campaign that has left him feeling a little bitter.
“It’s not that they disappointed me, every now and then I found the Milan defence in the stands behind me. Tomori, Thiaw, Kalulu: all injured and I thought about the defence there with me rather than on the pitch. It’s not just this, but it was an ingredient negative of the season.”
What comes next?
One thing that seems unknown at this point is who the squad will be working under, because the Milan leadership appear to be rethinking their decision to hire Julen Lopetegui as the replacement for Stefano Pioli.
The list of candidates has once again been consulted and the process has been reopened, with the likes of Thiago Motta, Roberto De Zerbi, Paulo Fonseca, Sergio Conseicao and Ruben Amorim once again now circulating as possible options.
One thing that will arguably matter just as much as who the head coach will be is the signings that come in to complete the squad.
Antonio Vitiello provided updates on both fronts during his latest editorial for MilanNews, starting with the incoming market and then providing some confirmations on exits.
“Milan will make four signings in the summer to strengthen the squad and from what we understand they will be good quality signings,” he said.
“It won’t be another window with 10 signings, but rather a lower number with higher quality. A strong striker will arrive, and we insist that everything will be done to get Zirkzee. A midfielder with more defensive characteristics [will arrive], a central defender and also a right-back is being eyes.
