Paolo Maldini seems to have changed his stance from immediately after the Scudetto win and is now happy to accept the parameters imposed.
Calciomercato.com recall how Maldini said back on May 27 that Milan need ‘2 or 3 big signings to also compete in the Champions League’, whereas after last night’s 4-0 defeat against Lazio he declared that ‘the team is respecting its parameters’.
After lifting the trophy as champions of Italy last season, Milan are 12 points below leaders Napoli and are now one point above Roma in fifth place. They have already missed out on two of four season targets (Coppa Italia and Supercoppa), and the other two (Scudetto and Champions League) seem out of reach.
However, Maldini chose to emphasise that the parameters are what count and that simply finishing in the top four represents being on course, despite it being a regression from last season.
The report adds that the team that won the Scudetto has not been strengthened. Kessiè and Romagnoli were not replaced, Giroud doesn’t have a reliable deputy, and there are other gaps in the squad too.
With a few days left to reinforce the squad, Maldini seems to have decided to bet on Zaniolo, who was a target in the summer. He doesn’t seem particularly optimistic as the the deal will only be done if Roma have to get rid of him.
Pioli meanwhile has not been helped by injuries and having Maignan fully fit would have given Milan a few more points, but it is clear that the problem is not Tatarusanu. In the meantime, Maldini has signed Club Guaranì’s back-up goalkeeper for the future (despite the fact he is 24) and there are many questioning why.
Milan have many injured players, do not seem to be in a good condition, are plagued by tactical confusion and they were given a lesson by Inter that Pioli chose not to learn from against Lazio. Instead of opting for cover, he continued with two midfielders and the team were overrun.
