AC Milan sporting director Ricky Massara is expecting a ‘very difficult’ game against Atalanta tonight, and does not think that the formation was the problem during the difficult January.
Massara spoke to DAZN just before Milan’s game against Atalanta which will be played in front of a sold out San Siro once again, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.
“A very difficult match, Atalanta are a strong team and it’s a direct clash for the Champions League places. A high-level performance will be needed to get over it,” he said.
Milan had a very poor month of January which saw the team go seven games without a win across all competitions, crashing out of the Scudetto race, the Coppa Italia and losing in the Supercoppa Italiana final.
Pioli decided to change to a three-man defence, but Massara does not think that the 4-2-3-1 system was responsible for the problems that came last month.
“I don’t think the January period depended on the formation, we had lost certainties. By rediscovering this compactness and defensive solidity we will be able to free up our qualities up front. I would make it a question of psychological momentum.”
Charles De Ketelaere is still without a goal since his big-money arrival from Club Brugge, but Massara is backing him to come good in time.
“A strong and talented footballer. We see the conviction of being able to express this talent grow day by day. We’re talking about boys and a very heavy shirt. They arrived in a champion Milan with high expectations. Milan must compete always at the top, young people need some time.”
Finally, on Leao and Giroud: “We are stuck in the previous chapter but we are ready to write new ones with him and Giroud. We are working to find a solution and also in a short time.”
