AC Milan’s elimination from the Europa League by Manchester United is a blow, especially given that the team were on par with their opponents if not better over the 180 minutes.
There were a number of absences which certainly hindered any chances of progressing, but defensive inattention is what ultimately cost the team on the pitch as it led to both United’s goals.
As Calciomercato.com writes, Pioli can console himself with the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic who returned after a period of absence which resulted in a series of negative results. At the end of the match he declared that Milan still have to fight for the Scudetto, which seems tough because they are nine points behind leaders Inter, but it is a clear warning to his team-mates that they must look forward and not over their shoulders.
Ibrahimovic’s class and winning mentality are not enough as Milan must get their other key players back in form, with Hakan Calhanoglu having a bad patch and Theo Hernandez struggling in recent games too.
The former Real Madrid defender is apparently disappointed by the fact Deschamps left him out of the French national team squad again, but the fact is Theo recently has made bad decisions going forward and is very inattentive in the defensive phase. Against Napoli he gave Politano a wide open shot, and last night Dan James had plenty of space too.
Paolo Maldini expects a leap in quality from the 22-year-old because he has all the credentials to become the best in his role, so the end of the season is the right opportunity to prove that he is on the right path.
