AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli gave another chance to a few of his reserve players last night but they were again unable to get the job done against Cremonese.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport writes how the big screen at San Siro created a certain melancholy as replays of Olivier Giroud’s great goals were played and Zlatan Ibrahimovic was shown sat behind the benches, the area of the stadium that he attended the most this year.
In order not to further discourage the more than 68,000 in the stands the results of the other games were not shown, with Inter strolling in Hellas Verona and Lazio beating Sassuolo, while Juventus and Atalanta won before.
The Curva Sud chanted Charles De Ketelaere’s name even after Carnesecchi stopped him getting his first goal, and while he battled to get himself back into the game he more often passed backwards or to his closest team-mate rather than trying to unlock the game.
Of course the club wants the investment to be protected but it is not with these performances that the Belgian can truly show his qualities. Instead, the hope is that another summer of lessons at Milanello can help, as it did with Rafael Leao and Sandro Tonali.
In truth, they did already pass some exams in their first year, De Ketelaere has not. The club believe that the second season will bring a turnaround, but it is now understood that the first will hardly give satisfaction.
Fodé Ballo-Touré was fielded to give Theo Hernandez a rest and the difference between the starter and the alternative was evident, just as Aster Vranckx was not on the level of Sandro Tonali.
Divock Origi’s contribution remained modest as he was absent in the area because of the tactical instructions received from Pioli to play wide on the left, meaning his tally remains stuck on two useless goals against Monza and Sassuolo.
He doesn’t rely on his qualities, physique and experience at the to. Origi won six titles with Liverpool, with whom he reached the top of the world with a Champions League win, but at Milan it seems he can’t even be a guide for his younger team-mates.
At the interval, the fans waited for the big names, but only Rade Krunic appeared from the dressing room. The others remain seated and then came on to try and resolve a game that was growing increasingly difficult.
Yacine Adli was not used, nor was Ante Rebic. The second lines, instead of advancing, retreat. Milan have two fronts to compete on but don’t have a double squad to support it. The club will only be able to intervene in the summer.
