San Siro is probably imagined as a bit of a fortress for some, and it may have been correct in recent years. However, AC Milan have struggled this season.
As the year has gone on, it has become growingly noticeable that Milan have a problem at San Siro. Considering the record for the season, it has probably been lost in the void due to regular draws, yet the Rossoneri need to address something.
In football, there is a belief that home teams have an advantage, and when you have a fanbase like the Milanisti, this only is imagined further. Largely, it is difficult to diagnose, because the Diavolo can constantly rely on big crowds.
The two previous games at home, and the next against Inter, all sold out ahead of time, and there has been a belief that the Milanese spirit has returned to the ground. However, Massimiliano Allegri’s men have not really been strengthened by this.
Worrying evidence
This season, Milan have played 13 games at home, which gives us a nice split to analyse. Of these games, they have won seven, drawn two and their only two defeats of the campaign have both come at the iconic stadium.
To contextualise this, Inter – the league leaders – have won 10 times, only losing points twice, including once against the Rossoneri, but this is, unfortunately, not a time to gloat.
Roma, Napoli, Juventus and Atalanta all sit above them in the standings for their home records, meaning each of the Champions League contenders sit in a much better stead.
25 points accumulated is not terrible, but it is certainly nothing to shout about. Looking to others again, the Nerazzurri have acquired six more points at San Siro, and the same gap takes you to Lazio, who have won one home game since the start of December, which was against Genoa.
As a side note, the Diavolo have not beaten the Rossoblu at San Siro since 2022. In other words, the difference is staggering.
Previous years
It is all well and good saying this year is poor, but it means nothing, you guessed it, without context added to it. So, this season, Allegri’s men have accumulated 25 points from 13 games, an average of 1.92 points per game. Additionally, we’ll keep notes of the seven wins and two defeats, which average out at 53% and 15%.
The figures last season are actually quite similar, Milan had a 47% win rate at home, acquiring 1.80 points per game. So, actually worse than this season. However, this can be caveated by the toxicity around the club throughout the season.
In the grand scheme of things, it looks more like an anomaly than anything else.
When looking at the three seasons prior, starting with the Scudetto season and ending with Pioli’s final season, the Diavolo never recorded less than 12 wins (12, 13, 12), and in each season, they achieved 40 or more points (40, 43, 40).
A 63% win ratio at minimum, with a 2.11 points per game average. Putting it simply, a substantial difference over a season for the table.
Only when you look to the year before that, the 20/21 season does it drop once again. In that season, the Rossoneri had a 42% win rate at San Siro, recording only 30 points, a tally which they are only five points away from currently.
Has it cost them?
Ultimately, it probably has had quite an impact on the title race. Had they converted two of the draws this season into wins, they would have a six point gap to catch up with Inter. In the Champions League race, it could prove costly, given literally everyone has a better record.
There is time to turn things around, and ultimately, the home stats can be saved this season. Until now, though, there can be no denying that the points accumulated have been a worry.
At this rate, it would not be a surprise if the management want to speed up the process to build the new stadium, maybe it can bring new fortunes!
It’s not really a surprise. The pressure of having to be the team who attacks isn’t really their forte. Playing away lets them stand back and counter instead which seems to work better for this team since the csn’t really create much in open play.
What a penalty by Samardzic.
Great game by Atalanta.
At least one team from serie a$$ stays in UCL
The pressure is getting to them.
You can see it in the touches and the slowing down the play.
Every time the play slows it gives the opposing defence time to readjust.
It’s absolutely killing the attacks.
They need to get quicker. This should all be coming off the training ground. They shouldn’t have to think.
Completely agree. The fluidity is lacking despite having a greatest amount of time to practice it due to the lack of euro obligations. And I don’t see it’s anybody’s fault except the mister…
Every time I watch other teams play I get surprised by the pace of the passes the other teams make. And accuracy too. It feels like Milan plays with a handbrake on and the passes are really sloppy and slow. How many times does even the CBs make passes behind their teammates so that instead continuing their run forward, they need to stop and turn around to fetch the ball and then turn around again (or make yet another backpass)? Gabbia is probably the worst offender in the “passes goes behind the target” -issue.
The same issue has been there for more than 5 years now. Sad and pathetic really.
I agree with that.
It’ is infuriating seeing the passes going behind players.
Refereeing in UCL just as bad as serie A. Awful decision to give Kelly from Juventus a red card in that situation
I guess referee did Juventus a favor. They play much better a man down
Our play consists of parking the bus and scoring from transitions. When we have the ball and other team is sitting low, we simply have no clue on what to do (and we have no real striker as a focal point).
When we play away, teams want to win in front of their home and so we can exploit them advancing and leaving gaps.
When we play at home, it’s the other way around.
It’s not like it’s easy to break down 11 men behind the ball dropping deep and playing without any pressure whatsoever (but are heroes if they manage to nab a victory)
Milan are 2nd so only one team has done better overall (with the help from refs).
Maybe some of the players are jusr mentally weak?
A club who doesn’t master his own territory , his own home field is not a big club. An equal result or a lost game at home must be a very rare exemption for a club like Milan with such a stadium and such fans…if you respect yourself…