Journalist Franco Ordine has pointed the finger at the AC Milan squad but also at Sergio Conceicao after last night’s defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
Disaster struck for Milan in Croatia as they were beaten 2-1 by Fabio Cannavaro’s Dinamo and surrendered a place in the top eight of the Champions League in the process.
An indication of how the night was going to go came when Matteo Gabbia slipped on the ball at the back, allowing Martin Baturina to stroll through and finish, then Yunus Musah got a red card not long after.
Christian Pulisic equalised in the second half, yet minutes later Marko Pjaca restored an advantage that would last. The result means that Milan dropped from sixth in the table before a ball was kicked to 13th, and now a potentially tricky play-off tie is on the cards in February.
Ordine published his weekly column for MilanNews and unfortunately for him it had to be a reflection on another disappointing night for the team in an already chaotic 2024-25 season.
“There are no excuses, no particular explanations, no alibis to show. What happened last night in Zagreb is the unfortunate manifesto of Milan this season that drags along error after error, from the choice of the first and second coach, correction after correction, and basic wrong choices after wrong choices (football transfer market),” he said.
“How can you explain the blunder committed by Matteo Gabbia who messes up a harmless ball and gifts the first goal to harmless Dinamo? Only and only with a basic observation: because there is in him and in the rest of the team, especially in the first half, such pressure capable of crushing anyone and leading even a serious and attentive boy like Gabbia to such a clumsy and inexplicable error.
“How can you explain the other harakiri by Musah who commits two fouls, useless, in ten minutes earning the inevitable red and leaving his team with ten men thus condemning them to defeat? There is only one answer to the question: the nervous fragility of a group unprepared to face such a twist that reacts in a nervous and disorderly way from the first minutes (Pulisic’s protest was the first sign).
“Okay, then there is also the referee who denies the sacrosanct penalty to Leao but at that point the worst has already happened. And so Milan, incredibly pushed towards qualifying in the top 8 before starting, is relegated to the 13th and condemns itself to a probable Italian derby with Thiago Motta’s Juve that will take years of life from many fans.
“At this point we must ask ourselves with great realism what Sergio Conceiçao has given to this Milan in the few days available, with very few training sessions (about ten in total)? Judging from the facts lined up we must start from the series of comebacks after some disastrous incipits, and the Riyadh Supercoppa that cannot be forgotten but in terms of organised football and tactical balance almost nothing.

“With the surplus of nervousness, also transmitted by his attitudes, which is not always a good ally in healing a group of young players left without a leader. Now Milan is preparing a nightmare February with the Coppa Italia (Roma), then the game in hand against Bologna, then the two Champions League play-offs and in a few hours the derby from which he can emerge with definitively broken bones.
“I am curious to see how the club will react on the market because, net of the news about Gimenez – who withdrew from the Lille match due to injury – it will not be an insignificant detail. Either they will give proof of still believing in the work of his technical area (Ibrahimovic and Moncada) or if instead he will pull in his oars, he would have only one scenario ahead of him and that is the total loss of all the fans, giving credence to those who claim that the sporting part is of no interest.
“And here we see who has the mettle to lead a team like Milan and who is instead only an apprentice manager and owner.”
With three days left, who here thinks that the management will actually do something? Something useful as in buying a player that will help the team (not an 18-year-old Norwegian from their 2nd division)? 3 days. With all their energy (and money?) aimed at Gimenez who might be out for months if “lucky”? Anyone feeling any faith in them? ‘Cos I don’t…
I know that Ibrahimovic will say that the team is strong and we didn’t need anyone else when he fails to bring a single target. I’d bet on it easily.
And he’ll finish with the classic “Theo is happy. Mike is happy. They’re all happy. Everything’s under control.” 😀 😀 😀
And that team lost against Dinamo Zagreb with 2 half ready kids. I know the situation since I live in Zagreb and follow local football. Stojkovic was injured for half a year, a bad injury, like Bennacer. He walks by Fofana, Reijnders, Pavlovic, Gabbia, Theo, Tomori like they are kids. How can that be a good team and good players? Either they are bad or that kid Stojkovic is one of a kind and Milan should sign him.
Well, remember what the calm and friendly with the players padre Pioli shared recently? That he delivered a great speech before the Roma game and it has zero impact. No, man, these players are not winners. You may as well change all different types of coaches in the world, they won’t react. Between lazy has-been who want to leave (Theo) and players who were never Milan material to begin with (the guy who basically predetermined our fate with his idiocy last night), it’s a horribly build Europa League squad and it is what American greedy owners are known for (look at poor Roma, victims of the same scenario).
Well said.
Yes, that is why you don’t sell Tonali, the only player from that team that would die for the Milan shirt. Some people think that 70M is worth more than having a player that lives for the club in the team. I don’t and that is why I think selling Tonali is the most stupid decision ever made and that is why I believe Furlani is an idiot banker that can’t do any good to Milan. That is how it is.
Milan needs to buy new midfielders, and ones that really want to play for the club and also can play both phases. Dinamo has kids, and Baturina and Stojkovic are half injured, one of them coming from a long long injury, like Bennacer. Destroyed our midfield and defense. If someone offer 40-50M for Reijnders I’d sell him yesterday. Fofana for 35. You can get better players than those for half the money. And that really want to play for Milan and will give their hearts out. Not these posers that Milan got. Against Madrid they are all trying hard, against Lecce or Dinamo they look like you found some random guys in shipyard and gave them a spot in the first team. I don’t value guys like that even as men, they are not men. Cowards.
To say selling Tonali was a mistake with the benefit of hindsight makes you a special kind of fan. He was banned for a year. Fans like you would be screaming at the management had he not been sold. Stop posting.
Cayate la boca!!! IDIOTA!!!! Nos dio una SUPERCOPA!!! JAJAJAJJA GILLIPOLLAS
Whatever everyone keeps saying, our midfield is total trash. We need 2 new midfielders, starters, not backup.
This. Our midfield can’t defend. Our midfield can’t create. So… What are they actually doing?
Well if I write anything against Reijnders people will attack me and he is a 100% poser. He will play 120% against Madrid but half games he will not even show up. He is great going forward when he has a good day. When he doesn’t he is useless and he is always useless when defending. People always complain about Leao but Reijnders isn’t any better. He does go back because he is a midfielder but you can get past him without even trying. Just watch it next time. That is not a Milan midfielder. Maybe for Man City in their best days when they have 82% possession and nobody even defends, that is his ideal team. I understand he and Fofana could be tired but realistically, Dinamo Zagreb i 4 levels below Milan, maybe even 5. You can’t have their players (being as talented as they are), walk around you like you never played football. I don’t believe people still don’t see the actual frauds Milan has in midfield. Lets wait a year or two more so everyone can see. You can’t win anything with them.
You hit the nail on the head on this one.
Leão and Théo are lazy but somehow Reijnders get a pass despite being unable to defend even before he started showing exhaustion.
Théo is also being overrun to the ground but somehow there is no excuses for him.
Reijnders has this nice guy personality around him and runs a lot (aimlessly) every game, but that doesn’t mean he’s being good.
Theo has no replacement for 5 years. And Reijnders and Fofana are tired. Of what, playing half a season???? What????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Reijnders with Pulisic are Milan best players this season, while Theo and Leao with Emerson and Tomori Milan worst players this season.
Reijnders this season 10 g and 3 assists, run all game long but some are comparing him with lazy Theo and Leao.
Reijnders is a midfielder, not a defender and he plays as an attacking midfielder this season.
Theo is a defender who can’t defend.
What the hell are you talking about? It’s Reijnders fault that Gabbia gifted Dinamo the first goal and Musah lost his mind, which forced Reijnders to work extra?
Reijnders is a minus one player when defending. Worse than Leao as at least with Leao you know he isn’t defending. Reijnders just lets the player past him. YOu can’t be more useless defending, you can run like a fool but if you move and let players run by you what is the point.
“What the hell are you talking about?” About his Milan career, 13 good games in total. 13. That is what I am talking about. Alibi players that play 25% of games amazing, and 50% average and 25% don’t show up at all. And he so tired after playing a bit more. I really pray someone offers 50M for him so he is sold next summer. You saw that kid Baturina yesterday, he is already better than Reijnders, and he is only 21. That is what I am talking about. Morata is leaving thankfully, and more of these cowardice alibi players need to leave Milan.
Reminds me of David Silva if Silva passed the ball back or sideways in most cases. Attacking midfielder that is good with the ball at his feet that did nothing against Dinamo Zagreb, a team whose midfield is worth 5M without Baturina. World class player, I don’t know how I didn’t see it sooner. Thank you for opening my eyes to the Milans Maradona. Can’t wait for him to be sold.
Going on an unhinged rant for no reason with nothing but nonsense.
Apparently ManCity being interested in Reijnders means he is not a good player.
Reijnders has literally played every 3 days for the last year and a half and in every game he is either the player with the most ground covered on the pitch or the 2nd, but clowns that don’t know what they are watching are calling him lazy to deflect from the actual lazy players.
Baturina is already better than Reijnders because he didn’t miss the Gabbia gift? 😂😂😂
Milan lost because Gabbia gifted Dinamo the 1st goal, Musah lost his mind and because Terracciano and Tomori are clueless space cadets but sure let’s talk about Reijnders.
It’s funny that you didn’t mention anything about Theo being minus defensively and his actual job is to defend.
There is a reason Reijnders is worth 50 m after he was bought for 20 just 18 months ago, but apparently you know better. While Theo and Leao value is plummeting by the day.
So by your logic, reinjders played for a year and a half, and he is tired.
But Theo has been playing for 5 years at Milan, without any good or efficient backup and he is lazy 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣🤣🤣.
You can’t write this. But here it is written by you.
This logic is beyond life. It’s paradoxical and hypocritical by its own reasoning.
And reinjders is not even close to been joint best player. He had some few good games and as usual the hype flared up again.
This logic is… I am just wowed.
“Conce has has limited time to do his work but let me blame him anyway….” shut up, Ordine. the players failed on the night, and the senior hierarchy has been failing since Redbird took over. That’s where your blame should fall.
I said it before and I’ll say it again, the team will be playing in an empty stadium next season and that might be the only way things change at the top. As long as you give them money, they’ll stick around. They have no sporting pride and they don’t respect football. This is the wrong sport to do this with and the wrong city in which to do it. They may lose near 50 million by missing the top 8 and finishing outside of any Europe spots. Seeing someone like Pulisic get so upset within the first 10 minutes should be all you need to see how bad the situation is behind the scenes and Musah almost pulling that dudes arm out of his socket it looked like it was picking up his luggage from the airport. They are not in their right minds and no good football can come from that.
You are a fool !! I know somebody who is not a never has been, who is not another american who doesn’t know anything about this sport unless singing songs for a mid player like pulisic who said this season wasn going to be a disaster!!! Not because of the coach !! You can get Capello, Sacco and Ancielotti and give them a bunch of bum players + Leao, Mike and Tijani R and this what would happen !!!!! Our right backs are Calabria and Royal !! Our defenders, no comment !!! Our stricker is a 33 year old dude who has never been known as a goal scorer rather a hard worker what he was during his whole career !!! Our winger is an overhyped overrated american who knows how to score against bum teams !!!! Milan could have brought Singo, but Pioli told them I have calabria and florenzi)) I don’t need Singo. We needed defenders OBVIOUSLY, but that’s what happens when you trust zlatan to rebuild a team. Like people don’t know this dude’s history !!! He is a talent killer. Every talented player hated playing with his egotistical overrated ass! Pato, was the best talent in the world till they brought ibra, what did ibra do for Milan to be considered as a legend ? Won 1 league title playing with Nesta, Thiago Silva, Pirlo, Reno, Seadorf, Pato, Robinho !!!!! Milan has 1 fatal problem, a bunch of zero talented Americans are running the Giant football club that is Milan and they call it a soccer club.
Reality is the coach has had 9 practices to try to get a squad that doesn’t respond to coaching ready. Honestly seems likely Milan will finish 3-7 (I hope). Probably time to sell and rebuild as the cycle with these core players is clearly over. I like with Maldini, Moncada has failed in 4 consecutive windows to build a squad that can meet the objectives of the team and it’s time to part ways. I think the biggest and best transfer Milan could make is to go hard for Sartori as he seems like the exact person you want if you’re going to use the Atalanta model like Milan claim. The man’s body of work speaks for itself