GdS: 48 goals conceded and poor concentration - Milan's defensive wall in ruins

AC Milan have conceded 48 goals this season, as highlighted by Gazzetta dello Sport, and what used to be a strong defensive wall is now in ruins. Unfortunately for the Rossoneri, there are several factors behind this.

The game against Slavia Praha, even though the two goals were screamers, truly highlighted Milan’s issues at the back. A lack of concentration, once again, gave the opponents too much space to work with (despite being one man down).

Milan have conceded 48 goals in all competitions this season: 32 in Serie A, 8 in the Champions League, 5 in the Europa League, 3 in the Coppa Italia. Something is not right, as Gazzetta dello Sport points out (see photo below), and something must change.

Lack of Magic Mike and leadership

Mike Maignan has not been the same goalkeeper this season, failing to live up to the very high standard set in previous seasons. Less shouting, fewer bold passes in the build-up phase and less leadership in general.

The recent interventions of Zlatan Ibrahimovic should help on the latter front, but Milan still need something more from the French goalkeeper. He has the qualities to be one of the best in the world, but the downfall has been evident to everyone this season.

Of course, Maignan has also been more exposed by his teammates, which is a factor that cannot be overstated. Then again, in previous season, he would almost excel in those moments and bring a sense of a great confidence to the rest of the defence as well.

Injuries are not the sole reason

While it’s true that Milan have struggled with many injuries in defence, this is not the sole reason behind the issues. Even when Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori did play regularly, prior to their injuries, the wall had come down.

This is even more true for Pierre Kalulu, who struggled to get a spot in the starting XI at the beginning of the season and now. Simon Kjaer and Matteo Gabbia have done a commendable job in trying to salvage the situation, but their qualities aren’t enough to really make the leap.

Pioli has said it himself, there have been far too many lapses of concentration this season. Slavia’s first goal was conceded almost immediately after Olivier Giroud’s opener, losing the marking on a set piece, and this is something we have seen so many times.

The defensive wall is in ruins, with a lack of leadership, quality and confidence, and it remains to be seen if it can be fixed this season.