Commentator criticises Milan management for not properly replacing Kessie

Former Lazio goalkeeper and current commentator Luca Marchegiani believes that AC Milan made a mistake last summer by not properly replacing Franck Kessie.

Milan held on to hopes of renewing Kessie’s contract until the end of the Scudetto-winning season but were ultimately left disappointed as he departed for Barcelona on a free transfer, where he has so far found it tough.

Instead of investing in a new midfielder to compliment Ismael Bennacer and Sandro Tonali as the Ivorian had, the management chose to trust Tommaso Pobega after his loan spell at Torino ended, as well as signing Aster Vranckx on loan from Wolfsburg.

Interviewed by Tuttosport, Marchegiani spoke about the derby scheduled for Sunday at the San Siro as well as the decision not to take precautions in midfield by the Milan management.

“A fundamental match for the two teams. I don’t believe so much in the table, as it was in the last season, but because Inter and Milan are going through a crucial moment in their season and I believe that, just like last year, the consequences of this match could be decisive as they continue their journey,” he said (via SempreMilan.it).

Is the Supercoppa last month a factor?

“It is 90% so because it was a match played too soon to be forgotten and it was also a match that said a lot, given the difference between the two teams. This is why I believe that the players bring it into that match: some out of a desire for revenge, some having matured the conviction of feeling superior.”

Pobega is not Kessie…

“The problem originated in the summer when Milan lost a player like Kessie and didn’t replace him: Pobega did well when he was called into question but he is still a player of another level compared to his colleague.”