AC Milan have been very poor at the back this season, conceding a whopping 46 goals in the league. Three of these were added to the tally last night as Torino prevailed at Stadio Olimpico, making the most of the Rossoneri’s horrible defending.
As highlighted in our player ratings for the game, the defence struggled big time as the likes of Malick Thiaw and Fikayo Tomori could have done a lot better. Especially the latter, who seemed to complain more than he defended.
Taking a look at the numbers in the 21st century, Milan have only conceded more than 46 goals in a single Serie A season on two occasions: 2013-14 (49) and 2014-15 (50). Salernitana are up next so the Rossoneri should finish below, but the figures are still worrying.
#ACMilan have conceded 46 goals in the league this season, with one game still to go. In the 21st century, only in 2013/14 (49) and 2014/15 (50) did they concede more goals. pic.twitter.com/WbTta8RDSL
— MilanData📊 (@acmilandata) May 19, 2024
Stefano Pioli admitted himself that the poor defending has been ‘a symbol of their season’, having conceded way too many goals for a team in the top two positions. As a reference, the champions Inter have conceded just 19 goals.
It’s clear that whoever arrives to replace Pioli will have to fix the defensive issues first and foremost, as it will be impossible to compete at the top with another season like this.
60 million for playing in the champions league. 15 million for finishing second. 42 million for the sale of Maldini, Saelemakers and Charles. I mean with that money one CB one DM and one ST need to be bought. Than add to that the probable sale of Traore, Romero, Adli, Colombo and one of Tomori or Kalulu that’s another 45 million. With that you get another CB and RB. This is the least what this team needs to finish top 4 next season.
60 million for playing in the champions league. 15 million for finishing second. 42 million for the sale of Maldini, Saelemakers and Charles. I mean with that money one CB one DM and one ST need to be bought. Than add to that the probable sale of Traore, Romero, Adli, Colombo and one of Tomori or Kalulu that’s another 45 million. With that you get another CB and RB. This is the least what this team needs to finish top 4 next season.
You’re dreaming with these numbers. CDK, Saelemakers and Tomori have value, the others do not. To even get €15 million combined for the others is a stretch and it’s not about funds, signing a striker takes half the budget.
The coach had no midfield lol 😂
Want Musah supposed to be out DM?
At least we’re really highlighting now just how bad we are at conceding. Goals are pretty, defending isn’t but you need to defend to win especially the league (look at all the leagues, most of not all the winner has the best or one of the best defence). Been preaching whole season, we don’t have a problem with goals…defence though…..
Wthat the point of scoring all these goals when you’re going to give up so many.
Sure, it’s Pioli not the fact that we lost Tonalli, Kessie, Romagnoli, Krunic. ( Men scudetto legend fucking winners, yes even Rade)
I’m sorry but Reinjders is interesting but another Ben, a promise.
Loftus Cheek is strong but meh. Makes me wanna cry when I remember Tonalli.
How can Zlatan sell tickets saying Romagnoli left so we will face Serie A with Gabbia. I’m sorry.
The worst defense in recent years, who needed that annoying Paolo Maldini anyways.
This team is run by idiots.
Scudetto season the team was balanced with Kessie and tonali in midfield. Even if we are not scoring tons of goals with the quality of attackers we had. But with the balance in midfield it compensated for the whole team. Over the years the midfield was weakened and Milan strengthened the attack, rebuilt the midfield and more or less the defensive department remained untouched but injury and age became a problem with the defensive department. This season the Achilles heel of Milan aside from the injuries and tactical naiveity of Pioli is that they failed to anticipate and get the final piece to complete the midfield rebuild the DM. Like I will also say with a very good coach with tactical know how, good mentality especially knowing how to navigate challenges associated with big clubs and a few selected buys to complete this team, it will be able to compete. The only problem still remains that if we are thinking to still sell some of tomori, thiaw and co instead of buying and still find a way to retain them then we are getting ourselves into another problem which is depth that always counts in the latter part of the season. My opinion is aside those with contract issues we can’t resolve every other personnel should remain to count as depth or sell them and replace them.