There is only one trophy left for AC Milan to fight for this season, but their fate in that competition could well be decisive also in determining the future of Stefano Pioli.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have published a piece talking about Pioli’s position as the head coach. The question is becoming more and more insistent, even if the return match in Rennes in the Europa League did not help build confidence: ‘What if Pioli won that trophy that Milan have never lifted?’.
There are matches like those in Monza and Rennes which almost seem to reset all the sensations and undo all the good work. Before losing at the U-Power Stadium Milan hadn’t been beaten in the league since December 9th.
However, the defeat was a heavy one to take and then the second leg in Brittany – even if it did not affect progress to the last 16 – left another bad impression, then partially made up for by the good performance against Atalanta.
The upper management took his side in a compact manner. Giorgio Furlani, Paolo Scaroni, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Gerry Cardinale have all publicly backed him, to try and remain as a close-knit group. The squad, it seems, have never given up on him either.
In June, Cardinale will draw a line and take stock, but the balance will obviously be tipped one way or the other by the Europa League, a trophy in which they have never gone beyond the semi-final stage (in 1972 and 2002).
Three years ago the Rossoneri went out against Manchester United after drawing the first leg away from home, while the path to this year’s final presents decidedly difficult potential opponents like Liverpool and Leverkusen.
Pioli’s eyes are set on Dublin, but it is early – and also wrong – to make predictions. March and April will be the decisive months to understand the coach’s future, but Europe has again become key.
I’m one fan who appreciates and respects Pioli a lot for what he has given Milan so far. Excellent. But I’m also of the believe it’s an end of a cycle. But come on, can we cut the man some slack in the media?! At Every sunrise, there’s news on him being replaced. Can we give the man some respect and serenity please. Sheesh !!
^100% Pioli deserves a lot of credit. And while I would love to upgrade on our coaching in the summer, I will continue to give him credit where it’s due. The man has done a great job with this Milan.
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I am on the fence with respect to Pioli but the narrative around the defeat to Rennes is overblown. A 3-2 away loss, scoring 2 goals to tie the match down a man with only a late goal separating the two sides is hardly a catastrophe. Given the 3-0 aggregate lead, the result is perfectly acceptable seeing as progression to the next round is all that mattered and that was never really in doubt at any point during that 2nd leg. This sensationalism really needs to be out in check and everything seems overblown at the moment.
I think it’s because many fans dont like “uncomfortable wins” or Milan playing under pressure to a “lesser” team.
But bottom line is, we scored more goals and went through. Lost a battle, but won the war against Rennes. All Rennes had to show was 2 soft PK calls and a lot of effort. But that’s it.
It is also important to give credit to Rennes because they played well and as you said, the war was won so mission accomplished.
Draw or loss = questions about his future
Win = we’ll save those articles for when he loses
Well said Bili N, well said. Pioli deserve more respect than he gets, but there is an end to everything and now is a good time to start a new circle.
His problems lie within his personalities. Go ahead and keep evaluating him on his abilities and the problems will remain.
Emily is so much better than where we are now. Pioli time has come to end like all coaches when their cycle is over.
We need a coach is is good with young players and who has tactical ability to try new things. For instance, is Theo more suited for as LWB? Just imagine it Theo had more freedom on the left side with Leao if Milan were to switch to a 343 formation?
It’s time for Milan to have both the left side and the right side equally balanced like Bayer Leverkusen and Inter do with of their wingbacks.
It feels like we don’t have a balance team.