The AC Milan ownership have great respect for Stefano Pioli and they intend to stick with him, but a strong end to the season is needed.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) writes how the games against Sampdoria, Juventus and Hellas Verona are ones that Milan must win to try and secure qualification for the next edition of the Champions League.
Being back in Europe’s top club competition is a decisive milestone for the sporting and financial development of the project and without it the leadership would be forced into reflections.
In theory the games against the already-relegated Sampdoria and the relegation-threatened Verona are ones Milan should win, but Juve are in second while waiting for their new punishment and a trip to the Allianz Stadium is never easy.
However, this season Milan have failed to beat Lecce twice, lost heavily at home to Sassuolo, drew with Salernitana, lost against Udinese, Fiorentina and Spezia while also failing to beat Empoli, Bologna or Cremonese.
Pioli will be able to rely on his key performers with the Champions League run over, but they are worn out by an intense season and there are therefore no guarantees that the team will win all three games, something that is surely needed to finish fourth.
The ideal is to qualify for the 2023-24 edition of the Champions League by finishing fourth, but even getting fifth could be enough as Juve are awaiting the judgment of the federal court of appeal, with the hypothesis of a penalty that would demote them from the podium.
If the Rossoneri were to limp over the finish line early next month then Gerry Cardinale would be forced into decisions. Pioli signed an agreement last October until the summer of 2025 at €4m net for season, so for a club that focuses on financial prudence paying two coaches wouldn’t make much sense.
In addition to that, Pioli enjoys the esteem of the property. He was the coach who picked up a team in confusion after the brief management of Marco Giampaolo, taking them to the Europa League and then to the Champions League, winning the Scudetto and reaching a semi-final this season in Europe.
He raised young players, from Tonali to Leao, and was helped by leaders like Giroud, Kjaer and Ibrahimovic. He was a coach, psychologist, friend and even a family member to some players, with Leao calling him a ‘father’.
The owners defended him even in the darkest moments, such as the January crisis. The leaders appreciate his low profile off the field, with how he behaves in front of the cameras and his personal and communication style.
However, the league table does not lie and sometimes the final standings make tough decisions much easier.
