AC Milan are starting to believe that they have a real chance at winning the title, but they must first of all expel some of the doubts surrounding the team.
Milan have found themselves atop the table heading into the final 10 games of the season, two points above city rivals Inter (who have a game in hand) and three points above Napoli, with Juventus also not out of it yet.
Our colleagues at SempreMilan.it have highlighted five things that must be fixed if the Rossoneri are to win their first league title since the 2010-11 season.
Experience: It seems harsh to pick out a man who has done so much good as head coach, but Stefano Pioli hasn’t won anything as a manager yet, despite being 56 years old. Like him, most of the Rossoneri players are unfamiliar with the feeling of winning trophies. The spirit and determination of the team showed against Inter and Napoli though, but experience and composure are needed.
Suspensions: Milan are 13th in Serie A when it comes to total yellow cards, but this is absolutely not the main problem. The issue is that most of the time a number of fundamental players like Theo Hernandez, Bennacer, Tonali and Tomori become at risk of missing a game.
In those roles, the deputies sometimes do not offer assurances – like Ballo-Touré, Bakayoko and Krunic for example. Playing with pressure and aggression, Milan are at risk of missing key men in key games.
Ruthlessness: It often happens that the Rossoneri take the lead, but then miss countless scoring chances and do not close the game. Sometimes it can be good because it keeps attention high but often it is bad, because defending a one-goal lead is never comfortable as the Udinese and Salernitana games showed.
Officiating: It is a fact that Milan have been on the wrong end of several awful refereeing decisions in Serie A and in the Champions League, such as the non-existent offside by Giroud against Napoli and the Messias goal against Spezia being ruled out, plus the handball goal by Udinese. The anger at officials risks becoming counterproductive, but these mistakes must be cut out.
Leaders: Giroud has scored important goals, Leao looks explosive and is the top scorer, while Ibrahimovic is a leader of men. What about the rest, though? From Diaz to Rebic up to Messias and Saelemaekers – these are players who are experiencing fluctuating moments. At least two other key elements are needed for the Scudetto.
We must forget about referees. There are officiating mistakes for all teams. It’s nothing like experience or ruthlessness which we can improve.
*All teams except Juve (& Inter?).
We will win the scudetto,for real!!!