Malick Thiaw was unfortunately among the worst performers for AC Milan during their 2-2 draw against Torino to begin the new Serie A season, and a paper has questioned a decision the management seem to have made.
Thiaw was given the nod to start at centre-back alongside Fikayo Tomori, and if began with the mission of casting doubt in Paulo Fonseca’s mind for the rest of the season – especially after the arrival of Strahinja Pavlovic – he failed miserably.
The Italian media have not let Thiaw off the hook for his performance and the error-strewn display was reflected in the ratings that he received from the three main newspapers, with La Gazzetta dello Sport referring to it as a ‘gallery of horrors’.
Now, Corriere dello Sera (via MilanNews) have offered their own reflection on Thiaw’s opening day disaster, posing a question to the directors regarding their exclusion of Pierre Kalulu from the squad.
The paper ask why the Rossoneri are not considering keeping Kalulu, instead of loaning him to direct rivals like Juventus or Atalanta for little money and no guaranteed return.
The Frenchman was not even included in the matchday squad for the game against the Granata, and he has a much bigger showcase of impressive performances since joining Milan than Thiaw does.
There were reports earlier in the month about Newcastle United having a concrete interest in Thiaw and even having a bid ready worth north of €30m, but this never materialised into anything and they are now going for Marc Guehi.
Both should be sold. The real shocker is why did Fonseca played Thiaw ahead of Gabbia and why didn’t Fonseca start Noah Okafor instead of Jovic.
The match against Torino felt like Pioli never left and we are seeing the same selection issues under Fonseca.
We have a midfield built for 433 but yet we are persistent with playing 4231 when we have no defensive midfielder in the team.
What’s the point in getting Ruben Loftus Cheek, Musah and Reinjders and not play 433? Madness!
Who knows what goes on in these coaches heads? Salad at LB and Thiaw were the biggest head scratchers for me. Gabbia with a blindfold on is a better option.
We played 4-3-3 at the start of last season until Inter saw us off with 5 in the net. The 4-2-3-1 is an excellent formation that came out of the defensive 4-3-3 that Ajax had been pushing for years. It doesn’t matter the formation, but the motivation. Look at Barella at Inter and the national team, they are different players, because he doesn’t hear Inzaghi’s voice near the touchline.
The 4-3-3 isn’t the problem, inverted fullbacks is the problem, it leaves our wings completly exposed.
But we can play a 4-3-3 with regular fullbacks.
Reijnders, RLC and Musah were brought for a 4-3-3.
The problem though now, is that Fofana isn’t a lone CDM.
actually for me the biggest shocker was the saladman at LB. The poor kid isnt a great defender to begin with and Fonseca puts him on the left… he’s never played that role.
We suck in transition. My 2 cents; both goals came from calabria’s side. The only reason the left is “stronger” is because Theo and Tomori are uber fast and can recover. Our right side, with both Calabria and Thiaw is really slow. So, either we need our midfield to help cover or get really fast pair of CB and RB and ask a lot of them. I think Fofana can help with the defensive phase, but still. our transition game has not improved.
Well done, no one is going to say that Calabria let the ball get to Zapata and then let him cross. Calabria at the second goal against Manchester City. Calabria played three times worse than Thiaw, but somehow the latter picked up all the criticism. So, Emerson and substitute Jimenez and period. If Calabria can’t be sold, let him for less important games.
Thiaw is still better than Gabbia. And the culprit of weak defense is Calabria.
In what is Thiaw better then Gabia ? Last season Gabia was on pair with Tomori. Thiaw had like two good games since he came here. He is weaker then all of our other CB’s. Also how it is Calabria fault for Thiaw not clearing the ball and scoring an own goal, or for Thiaw losing his man? I know Calabria is the scapegoat for everything here but come on.
Please get Hummels ASAP!
Problem is Calabria. He is the captain of this team and showing inconsistency and eror prone-defense. Thiaw, if so called “immaturity” plays a role in his mind sees that the captain of the team is very shaky and awful and does not defend properly, so instead of being a leader in his role, Thiaw is playing indecisively as his captain is playing. Calabria is a case that is very annoying as he has no offense and defence is way horrible and he is the captain. Easily young players tend to follow their leaders especially in defense and it is very much of a problem since last season.
Thiaw still better than Gabbia lol… After an own goal in the opening match of the league Thiaw does not deserve to be considered better than a player that has not played. Sell him, keep Gabbia and Kalulu as the 3rd and 4th CB options.
Kalulu is better than Calabria and thiaw. We must to sell one of our best defender and keep the rest. I laughed in Spanish. The coach should wake up and stop the nonsense selection
Well, honestly speaking, I feel Fonseca used that match to experiment some possibilities which unfortunately cost us a whole lot.
It’s high time Fonseca know that we are already playing a competitive games and not some friendly games. You already know the pairs that can work together to gjve us a positive result
Calabria does not get the criticism Thiaw gets because “iT iS fRoM tHe aCadEmY”. That is the truth
Calabria doesn’t get criticism? 😀 😀 😀 😀
Are you living under a rock or something? Calabria has gotten most of the hate since Krunic left.