AC Milan were left wanting more once again in Serie A, after a 3-3 draw against Cagliari. Following the game, Tijjani Reijnders admitted the Rossoneri have to do more.
From a personal perspective, Reijnders cannot be too displeased. In our player ratings, the midfielder scored a solid seven – falling behind only Rafael Leao. However, this has become a regularity. Recently, the midfielder has become indispensable for the team, and he is consistently a reference point.
This proved once again as he created some magic from nothing, assisting Leao with a pinpoint lob, which the Portuguese finished easily. Nevertheless, it would mean little to nothing in the grand scheme of things, as Milan failed to hold on to two leads.
The Dutchman, frustrated after the result, spoke to DAZN after the draw, and his words, which have been relayed by Milan News, were rather striking.
Goals conceded…
“We started by conceding a goal straight away, that’s not how you want to start a game. It’s not possible, as Milan, to concede three goals all the same, it’s not possible for us.”
How did you come up with the outside assist for Leao?
“I was looking for space in the middle, I didn’t find it and then I saw Rafa attack the space. It was the only way to get it to him, luckily he then scored.”
What did the coach ask you at half-time about the defensive phase?
“We knew about their crosses, it’s one of their strengths. We didn’t pay attention, there was always someone open at the second post. We have to take a good look in the mirror and understand. You can’t win games like this if you don’t defend well.”
After the victory in midweek, it feels almost like the Rossoneri have returned to their old position, a habit which is all too frequent this season.
Love the call out on Theo’s abysmal performance. He should not wear the armband anymore.
we all saw last season when theo played cb that he indeed can defend. so his sh*t games are even more weird for me.
And no i dont think a change in coach is what is wrong for him. he is also cr*p for the national team and they have the same clown still on the bench
He’s been praised during the Euro as one of the best defenders. The “shut up and play” thing is obviously not working. He’s playing like he’s gone already.
That a nice conveniently little assumption you’re still making. It’s true you can’t cure an id**t.
Was he playing like he’s already gone vs Madrid?
How about Monza?
Can your little brains even remember monza? I seriously doubt it.
Theo is hot and cold ( he isn’t the only one) and a convenient assumption definitely isn’t the reason for that..
Somebody woke up angry
What? No, Theo was excellent defensively at the Euro, and was widely praised for it. I watched those games; I like to watch France, I always watch their games, and yes, he was excellent. Where exactly are you getting this notion? Have you been watching their games?
For me, the fact that Theo can actually defend for the French is the biggest demonstration that he is fed up with AC Milan and likely on his way out. He seems to be sabotaging the team, in a sense. He engages in huge dissent against the refs, collects yellows and reds, stages a PK-taking riot, performs the cooling break episode, and he does play hard when he’s motivated like against big teams, but then sits and watches his defense crash and burn while he does nothing, like today.
There is no doubt whatsoever that Theo is talented, but what he’s been doing seems to me to be the symptom of a profound malaise with AC Milan. It’s unprofessional, sure, but probably it is due to factors we don’t fully understand (like he never forgave the club from firing his idol and mentor Paolo Maldini, like he was never given a salary commensurate with his standing as a world-class player, stuff like that, I suppose).
Whatever the reason is, Theo has been more of a liability than help.
Unprofessional, I don’t know. If you’re not happy at your work, you can just leave. Théo is under contract and is stuck. He’s waiting for a raise that never arrives, despite his performances and availability over the past years, and he’s playing for a team with no top ambition in the market, therefore on the field, under some lousy budget coach. Mentally speaking he’s probably not at his best, we’re speaking about elite athletes here, anything can make a difference, especially the mental aspect.
I think Théo expects more for his career than playing for a team that celebrates winning one game over Real Madrid like it was Milan’s 8th UCL coronation.
” If you’re not happy at your work, you can just leave.”
So, if he’s so unhappy, why didn’t he tell the management “please sell me” and get it done in the summer. Playing without motivation IS unprofessional and disrespecting towards the team mates. There are no winning parties when he continues like this.
Stupidlomeo been beating the bush that theo is unhappy for months now..
Must have a direct line with him. Just like luigi with leao..
I’m not his mom, I dont care, we can just extrapolate from what we know. And since Zlatan said that he would stay and is happy, many things happened including saying that he didn’t know if he would stay, the watergate, the negotiations for a raise never opening and poor performances. Very poor management of a star player, as usual it’s amateur hour with this team.
Sometimes, when a superstar is having emotional episodes like this, do something really crazy, like tell him he has to play striker. Then put a real defender in his spot, like Tomori, who can handle large crosses. Theo won’t want to let his teammate Leao down at striker and will try extra hard. Then convince him he is the Second Coming of Jurgen Klinsman and give him a pay raise.
Or am I crazy too?
You have said it all. Yet he is given the responsibility of team captain. If he is fed up playing for Milan he should go. It is not fair on his team mates. Without his mistakes and conduct we should be in the top 3 of the table. Terracano is not of the same level but at least he gives his heart to the team.
Hims leaving for another club next summer or in 2026 at best is a sure bet.
Milan lacks a credible twin strike force. Please Please buy another real striker to partner morata. 442 or 4312 will be a more stable formation for Milan
In 4231 you have a tri attack force. But a special boy like you can’t understand that, can you? Heck if the team is set up right with AM, wings and st you have a quarto attack force. Quarto is 4 btw.
That’s double than a twin attack force.
Some players are not performing up to the standard required, e.g. Emerson Royal, Pavlovic, Abraham and Morata. Others are inconsistent, like Theo, Chikuweze, and Okafor. Fofana is careless, especially with passes. The team’s performance in the league is unsatisfactory; therefore, the coach is responsible for remedying it as soon as possible. Conceding almost five goals to a low-bottom team says a lot.
let’s back to reality. with this manager more progress is not possible. I know that Reijnders had sth else on mind, but it’s sth which repeating every second week.
.
I think that Maurizio Sarri is only authentic personality who could make progress with all of these mercenaries.
It is clear to all that Theo is NOT a defender. Often caught out of position, loses 40% of his tackles, thinks that by falling to the ground when he loses a tackle he will get a free kick, slow to recover ….. why not use him as permanent midfielder?
By the way – can we transfer Fonseca to Roma?
I’ve said many times… Put him higher on the pitch and watch him turn into Gareth Bale.