AC Milan failed to complete a turnaround in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final against Roma. Instead, they were rather embarrassed as the home side played better despite being a man down from 30 minutes onwards.
Indeed, it was yet another bleak performance by the Rossoneri and despite dominating possession, they had a very hard creating anything of value. Matteo Gabbia ended up on the scoresheet with a nice header, but it was too little too late.
Several players scored 5 or below in our player ratings and Stefano Pioli got his fair share of criticism as well. We could highlight several things from the game, in truth, but below are the five key things we learned from the disastrous performance.
1. Big game struggles and poor tactics
Both in the first and second leg, it was painfully obvious that Roma were tactically superior, controlling the tie pretty much from start to finish. This became even more evident after the red card last night, as the Giallorossi still managed to defend comfortably and even attack.
Heading into the second leg, one would have expected Pioli to come up with some new tactics but instead, it looked pretty much the same. There are just so many question marks from last night’s game and the manager doesn’t do a very good job of answering these.
For example, the decision to start Yunus Musah was understandable on paper. However, his position in the team was to facilitate Davide Calabria’s inverting – a position where the Italian is largely untested, and when he has played there, he has not shone. Pioli’s stubbornness to continue with this failed experiment certainly highlights his incompetence.
In addition to the poor performances that these tactics result in, the main worry is the decline of the stars in the team. Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, even if the latter got an assist, were never at their best in the tie and one can only feel for them.
The same goes for Christian Pulisic, and many other players, as the tactics just don’t seem to elevate the key figures in the team. Roma did a perfect job of neutralising Milan, but it’s also clear that Pioli’s tactics left a lot, and we truly mean a lot, to be desired.
2. Giroud is officially done
The Frenchman helped win Milan the Scudetto in 2021-22 and considering the money paid to get him, it was a great signing. However, his era has come to an end and yesterday’s performance was just further proof of that.
He lost most of the duels against the Roma defence and whenever he got on the ball, he always made the wrong decision. There is one video making the round on social media of him receiving a ball from Luka Jovic, which he then proceeded to kick high up in the sky.
Fine, Giroud has never been known for his first touch and his combination play (despite some nice flicks here and there). However, it now feels like he truly has lost his touch, and age has caught up with him, given on numerous occasions, he gave the ball away cheaply.
Furthermore, yesterday he really struggled to find the right position in the box and that is despite Milan sending in a bunch of crosses. He will most likely start in the derby, so there is his chance to prove us wrong, but we just cannot imagine it right now.
3. Midfield no-show
The midfield was a big problem from the start and it ended up punishing the Rossoneri. Ismael Bennacer continued his poor form and Musah didn’t cover the right spaces in defence. Not to mention that Calabria was in an inverted role, which made the transition difficult when Roma countered.
Without a doubt, this issue is Pioli’s responsibility as the players are clearly good enough to perform better than that. At the very least, they are able to do the minimum defensive cover but Milan didn’t even have that yesterday, which points to a fatal tactical error.
After the second goal, Pioli also decided to take off Bennacer and replace him with Luka Jovic. This left Milan even more exposed in the centre of the park as Musah continued in his role on the right flank. And this is why, despite being a man down, Roma were able to keep some possession when they regained the ball.
Tijjani Reijnders has arguably been one of Milan’s best players this season and you’d think that he would start in such a big game. He might not have been brilliant after coming off the bench, but we still cannot understand the decision not to start him.
4. Mentality is gone
Roma had a lot more energy, and above all, grit last night, which ultimately helped them see the game out after the red card. This used to be one of Milan’s main strengths too but this is clearly not the case anymore, which is a very alarming sign.
Of course, teams do go through tougher periods but Milan came into this tie with seven consecutive wins, following the tie, though, they now have not won in three games. The confidence should have helped them, in other words, but instead, they appeared beaten from the get-go as Roma wanted it more.
Since the infamous game against Rio Ave in the Europa League qualifiers, Pioli has always been keen to highlight the impressive mentality of this team. Unfortunately, frankly this whole season, we haven’t seen enough of that mentality and it has cost the Rossoneri a lot.
As alluded to earlier, this has mainly been the case in the big games (we have seen turnarounds against smaller teams) and that is when you need the mentality the most. The question is how Milan can solve this issue, perhaps there is only one solution…
5. Pioli’s future hangs in the balance
It seems that yesterday’s defeat was the final nail in the coffin for Pioli’s tenure at Milan. An incredible performance in the derby seems unlikely and the fact remains that the Rossoneri have been knocked out of the Champions League, Coppa Italia and the Europa League.
Finishing in second place is good, don’t get us wrong, but the teams behind Milan have also been very inconsistent. Juventus collapsed completely and if it hadn’t been for that, they probably still would have been ahead of the Rossoneri.
Seeing as this is Pioli’s fourth full season in charge of the club, the fans are right to expect a lot more. Especially since the squad has improved a lot over the years. It’s arguably even better than the Scudetto squad, which says a lot about the decline of Pioli’s tactics.
This season just doesn’t scream progress and it’s difficult to think that the management can look at the outcome and think “Yes, let’s give him another season”. It almost cannot be justified in any way, but it remains to be seen what decision will be made.
Yesterday game is 100 percent Pioli fault. Why can’t he just deploy the same tactics that won us the SCUDETTO? No inverted fullbacks, no midfielder playing as a RWB like what was he thinking. Before the red card Milan was only playing on the right side, I mean you have Theo and Leao one of the best left side in Europe what was the purpose of yesterday tactics? This guy isn’t a strategist he is the complete opposite.
Then he’d be accused of being stubborn, tactically limited and ‘found out’ by the 18 managers whose teams are finishing below us this season.
I’d add:
6- underestimating the opposition: When it was announced that we will face AS Roma, I saw dozen of headlines pointing our historic superiority vs Roma, how we’re big favourites,… Many here also felt that Roma should be an easy job and I can’t but feel that the coach+players thought that this was gonna be another one of those days in the office against Roma. The first leg perhaps despite the loss didn’t really dissipate the sentiment because of some refeering mistakes. Overall I feel like everyone thought Milan had the qualification in hand, and once it was obvious that it wasn’t the case, there was no plan B and no willingless to win. At least that’s how I felt.
You underestimated the opposition since you said they were inferior.
In fact it seems beyond people’s comprehension that Milan could have lost to an in form Roma team.
By the way I’ve less of an issue with losing to Roma, and a much bigger issue with losing and dropping points to Monza, Lecce and Salernitana.
Those games have cost us the Scudetto.
Roma are indeed inferior to us, we individually have better players than them. Underestimating an oppoent =/= an opponent better than you.
However we (or some of us), acted like the game was sealed before it even started, even though their recent form which started with the appointment of De Rossi as a coach should have highligted that they are better than when Mourinho was coaching them and that perhaps a different/more conservative approach should have been considered.
My issue with losing to Roma is that it happens in the same pattern as many of our previous losses during this season or prior to this season against opposition who employ similar tactics, which means that some coaches already understood how we play and were able to come up with a strategy and we, on the other hand were unable to make the necessary adjustments.
Losing and dropping points to Monza, Lecce and Salernitana was indeed bad and winning against them might perhaps have kept us in the race.
Never mind inverting Calabria, Pioli should’ve inverted himself last night. Football’s never black and white though as people like to make out, though. He was unlucky too.
Stop excusing Piolis incompetence, he was pure garbage all the luck in the world wouldn’t save him from himself.
I’n not excusing Pioli’s incompetence – he’s been god awful the last couple of weeks – I’m saying there are more factors at play here as to why we lost to Roma than just one.
Absolutely mate, too many football fans think it’s black and white, Pioli made bad choices in selection and in-game, but the bottom line is our clutch players went missing. Again that could be Pioli’s failure to motivate them, but it isn’t just Pioli here and I’m about his biggest critic.
He’s a good manager, but he isn’t next level and what we need. He can’t swim with the big fish and it’s evident now: I personally think De Rossi has it in him to be a very good manager but with all his experience, Pioli should be outthinking him.
Agree 💯
6. Milan have to move on from Pioli and average coaches in general in order to take the next step forward.
Given had one of the highest win rates in Milan’s history I’d love to see your definition of ‘above average’…,
Time to call Conte.
With the team mentality been weak, no better coach available to fix that.
Under different circumstances I would never call for Conte to be hired because of his constant whinning, complaining, b!tch!ng, and his most likely exit after 2 years, but can’t deny that he is a winner.
He gives his all and demands the same from all of the players.
He will instill team spirit, winning mentality, discipline, sacrifice that will follow players the rest of their careers.
We won’t be seeing players walking around the pitch like they are Messi but give us the Messias production and performances.
Everywhere he has been that team improved immediately, even at Tottenham.
The formation will change to 352, but Milan doesn’t really need that many new players to fit that set up.
Outside of the already needed CBs, midfielder or 2, striker, you will need to get him a RWB.
Theo will turn into a monster as a LWB and if Leao is willing to be uncomfortable, he can too. But he won’t be able to hide on the wing. Time to become a man. He needs someone that will push him and hold him accountable, because the last 5 years he has been pampered like no other.
Some of the current wingers that can’t play in front 2 will have to be sold. Chuk is the only 1 that doesn’t seem to fit that.
Milan already has the mezzalas.
With Motta Juve bound, Conte is the best option available.
To those that will say his football is boring and ugly, that is true, but I’ll rather watch boring football and win ugly than the current ugly football that doesn’t win.
My problem with Conte is not the boring and ugly football, I don’t really care about aesthetics, but investment wise he is very demanding. He will cost a lot and will ask for many players that we may or may not be able to afford.
I don’t think we have the players for a 3-5-2 or even a 3-4-3, Leao was already tested as SS and failed. You might say that in that case we should sell him and reinvest in a SS, but it is worth to yet again try to revamp the entire squad after only a after year of already revamping it ?
Also while Conte did succeed with Inter and Juve, his passage at Tottenham was largely unsuccessfull and was actually schooled by Pioli, so I don’t know how relevant he is right now. And also we have to remember that with Inter and Juve he had the best squads in Italy at that time by a landslide. I don’t think we will be able to gift him the best squad in serie A.
I don’t necessarly think we need a big name coach to fix a team that is mentally weak. I think that even a young, inexperienced coach can fix that aspect.
But I admit that with Motta going to Juve, we don’t seem to have many options for replacement.
Well if you want to win you will have to spend from time to time.
Leao can play as a 2nd striker, but he doesn’t want to because it’s a lot easier for him to play on the wing vs fullbacks who are smaller, weaker and shorter than him. That’s why I said it’s time for him to become a man.
Did Pioli really school Conte. It’s was 1:0 and 0:0, but Conte wasn’t around the team at the time because he was recovering from a surgery.
He absolutely didn’t have the best squad in Italy when he won his first 2 titles with Juve. Milan had the better squad at least in this 1st scudetto. Milan had prime Ibra, Thiago Silva, Pato, Robinho.
Same with inter. Juventus had the better squad at the time.
His teams win because they play as a team, not relying on individuals like our dear Pioli.
If you have a better option let me know because I can’t think of one.
Just please don’t say let’s go with Pioli for another year and hope someone better will be available in the summer of 2025.
Pioli should be fired Monday night
“Well if you want to win you will have to spend from time to time.”
I do agree on that but how much can we actually spend ?
“Leao can play as a 2nd striker, but he doesn’t want to because it’s a lot easier for him to play on the wing vs fullbacks who are smaller, weaker and shorter than him. That’s why I said it’s time for him to become a man.”
That’s indeed an argument to be made and I don’t dislike this idea. But as far as we saw he failed as a SS, so it’s not sure if he will succeed with another coach. Is it worth trying it again ? I don’t know.
“Did Pioli really school Conte. It’s was 1:0 and 0:0, but Conte wasn’t around the team at the time because he was recovering from a surgery.”
I admit I forgot about the injury.
“He absolutely didn’t have the best squad in Italy when he won his first 2 titles with Juve. Milan had the better squad at least in this 1st scudetto. Milan had prime Ibra, Thiago Silva, Pato, Robinho.
Same with inter. Juventus had the better squad at the time.”
I thought that the 2011/12 Juve squad was very good and only continued improving. I think 2020/21 Inter with prime Lukaku, Hakimi, Martinez and Barella was the best team in Italy.
“His teams win because they play as a team, not relying on individuals like our dear Pioli.”
Agree 100%
“Just please don’t say let’s go with Pioli for another year and hope someone better will be available in the summer of 2025.”
No, I think Pioli should go before this summer. His time is due.
Exactly – what are the options? I think I’d rather Bonera.
So your solution is Conte a man who:
a) burned Tottenham to the ground where the club had a huge sigh of relief when he left and returned to competitiveness;
b) got outdone by Pioli;
c) who would need to sign about 3 new CBs to play his preferred formation (when we desperately need a DM and CF).
Yes Conte, the 4 time scudetto winner.
Remember when your defense of Pioli was that he is a great coach because he has won a scudetto, unlike Simone Inzaghi, who only has cups and supercups?
Well, Conte has 4 of them, plus another title from the EPL.
The last one just a year before Pioli’s only trophy, out dueling Pioli.
And if Conte did stay at Inter, Pioli will still be without trophy but coaching Salernitana now instead of Milan.
Remember that or all that rambling you do makes you forget what position you stand on?
Don’t you accuse me of living in the past?
Conte did at one time guarantee trophies but he’s now shown himself to be a total liability and tactically limited.
Pioli has won a trophy more recently than Conte.
Things change, top managers often struggle to maintain success over long periods especially ones that burn as brightly as Conte.
The ones who keep going for the longest are usually brilliant people managers e.g. Ancellotti.
I’d go for Motta as at least he seems to be on the way up.
It’s of course pure guesswork as I’m sure you’ll accept.
🤫
3 or 4 months ago I would have said Conte would be one of the worst options for Milan. But now I am inclined to agree with you. He’s not the best fit with our historical style/mentality but at this point I can see it doing good for our club too.
He was an unusual choice for Tottenham based on their historical love of style over results. Not surprising he didn’t succeed there but has succeeded everywhere else.
Extra CBs should be easy to solve. If Kalulu gets fit he is actually best suited to a back 3. Pioli himself said this in the scudetto season.
Basis of midfield exists with some additions needed anyway. Theo already has played the LWB role for France on occasions and should go to another level.
RWB reserve spot could be filled by recalling Saelemaekers from loan. Florenzi could be a useful back up for either WB.
One of Leao, Pulisic or Chuk would probably need to be sold to fit the 352 formation. Okafor and Jovic (if he stays) would fit straight in.
Overall it really would be an interesting ride.
I agree with the 3-5-2. Much more balanced, would help us dominate the midfield, let Theo do what he’s best at, would help the striker(s) as the “lone CF”-thing hasn’t worked for a year now etc.
DDR made Roma believe in their qualities. Pioli made them confused with his decisions and non-system of play.
As much as certain facts speak for themselves such as completely new team with foreign players from foreign leagues and still holding us in 2nd place, I don’t see possibility of futher improvements. This team is regressing under him.
We need fresh energy and ideas that will kickstart this bunch and make them believe in their qualities again.
In the meantime, Juventus should fire Allegri at halftime.
They are pathetic
And they are firing him. According to the reports motta is in advanced talks. But if juve has some fans like a handful that comment here, would say that juve is in 3rd place and therefore they should not fire him.
People compare Pioli’s record to Ancelotti. A man who just beat Pep’s city with Rudiger and Lunin. This is why the data and those record often not capture the whole pictures.
Things change, teams change etc. During the Ancelotti era, the opponents were MUCH MUCH MUCH better than during the last 5 years.
I ask again, what does Pioli do with these players in training? Like I don’t understand it till date.
No form, no pattern, no ideas, no team work, no nothing.
A new coach please
Get them to 2nd in the league?
What do the other 18 coaches in Serie A do with their players???
Seems to be practicing tactics as every other team in Italy knows how to attack and create chances without resorting to individual magic. They work on their TEAMPLAY. Which is an unfamiliar concept to Pioli.
They pass the ball to Leao or Theo and see what they can conjure. And back-passing. Lots of back-passing a la Krunic.
I’ve always defend Pioli but with what happened against Roma, it showed he lacked clarity. There’s no guarantee that we can ever win against big teams with this trend and this will prevent us from winning any title.
To be candid, we can’t hire big coach based on our present finance but we can scout for upcoming coaches that are tactically gifted. That’s the only way forward.
We don’t need to beat the big teams to win the scudetto.
We need to beat the weaker teams and that is where I criticise Pioli for his ridiculous rotations.
The secret to any serial league winners is beating the teams they should.
We don’t need to beat the big teams to win the scudetto. The secret to any serial league winners is beating the teams they should.
We need to beat the weaker teams and that is where I criticise Pioli for his ridiculous rotations.
1. Last night was on Pioli. Overall, I think he’s done well with what he had, but he has had some big tactical blunders this season. He basically panicked after the first-leg loss and the following draw to Sassuolo and decided to change a formula that was working lately, albeit against weaker opposition.
2. I’ve been saying it all season. Our midfield is a huge downgrade from last season. Losing Diaz was out of our hands, and Tonali’s transfer fee and subsequent ban made his sale justifiable. However, the recruitment has been a disaster. Three box-to-box midfielders that couldn’t do their job. Reijnders, the best of the bunch, had to play deeper in order to improve. RLC is playing as a second-striker in order to produce. Musah is unproven and has been unable to carve out a role yet. The sale of Krunic is also looking bad now.
3. Even though Okafor and Jovic have done well off the bench, they haven’t been able to displace Giroud. Meanwhile, Sacchi’s recommended signings of Scamacca and Duvan Zapata are killing it.
4. We spent over a 100 million but were out of the CL in the first round and out of the Serie A race at the same stage as last season. For me, the Europa League wouldn’t have saved our season, but the manner in which we went out was shocking.
5. Pioli was safe but his unnecessary tinkering last night put him in the firing line again with Inter and Juve coming up.
You have forgotten how bad Milan midfield was last season if you think that this years midfield is a huge downgrade.
Also, Brahim mostly played as a RW last season and not in the midfield.
Milan has scored 11 more goals and conceited 1 less goal this year than last season, but yet some fans glorify last season midfield but trash this seasons.
All of that with the all CBs and Bennacer being injured plus the midfield being all new.
Was it so bad we made the semi-finals of the champions league?
Oh sorry that doesn’t count because…stuff….
It’s remarkable how so many people are determined to blame the people who have actually won things with the club whilst defending all the new signings who have won nothing with the club (and in most cases with any club).
The loyalty shone to last summer’s blow ins is truly remarkable.
But it does make me question what the point of being a fan is?
If you don’t appreciate trophies what’s the point?
It seems to be respected at Milan you need to have some imaginary ‘ceiling’ of potential. Any talk of actual achievements is ‘living in the past’ (the past being last season).
It shows that reality truly cannot compete with people’s imaginations. That’s what ‘ceilings’ get everyone so excited, and annoyed that the ‘ceilings’ aren’t being reached.
If only Musah had a different manager he’d learn how to pass the ball!
Another flip flopping from you.
You remember that cup competitions are mostly based on luck?
I remember, because you said it to me when you wanted to downplay how good of a coach Simone Inzaghi is, who has 8 cup trophies.
Why are you bringing up a lucky cup competition, when in serie A Milan finished 5th last season.
Don’t tell me about Milan finishing 4th because you also said that one of inter scudetto’s doesn’t count because it was won off the pitch, by taking points away from both Milan and Juventus.
That’s what happened last season with Milan being the beneficiary.
You don’t stand on nothing you say, just flip flopping like a fish out of water.
Just nonsensical rambling
Yes cup competitions are largely down to luck but don’t you remember the midfield controlling the games against (Conte’s) Tottenham and (Spaletti’s) Napoli?
Well you don’t seem to remember we finished 4th so I guess memory’s not your strong point (at least memory of anything the club you allegedly support has achieved).
It really doesn’t count.. tell me. Doesn’t it count when a tennis player reaches semi finals? Idk a different sport another and stuff but the point is. I can’t name a single player that made semis
Sh*t i can’t name a single team that made semis in the last wc. I guess two of theme were Argentina and France? Why do i know that? I wonder….
Anyway semis mean jack sh*t
Second place in league means jack sh*t
What are you talking about?
Getting to the semis or 2nd means the next stop is the final or the title.
So you get had we BUILT on that we’d be stronger?
But instead we have gotten rid of 3/4 of our title winning midfielders and only one of those was beyond our control.
no it does not. it means jack sh*t
WE DID BUILD ON IT.. FFS!
The only area we did not BUILD on is the COACH.
Yeah, process that
If we built on it then presumably you’re happy with how this season has gone?
Either you’re happy with the season, in which case nothing to see here, or you’re not, in which case there’s a debate to be had why….
Personally I’m happy with the season given the circumstances – injuries and last summer’s completely unnecessary rebuild off the back of a Champions League semi-final.
I know sorry for confusing you.
It’s all Pioli’s fault.
Fair assessment.
why did he take off Pulisic and Keep Giroud on?
chuck and pulisic have some chemistry together
we have a good squad for the most part. Just missing some key additions.
Problem is Pioli doesn’t change tactics or starting players. Or if he does its square pegs in round holes. Last night being a prime example…
You can get so much more out of this group if you play them in their preferred positions. And if you get them to play like a team with the proper mindset.
Doesn’t seem like this group takes Pioli seriously anymore. Either they are too comfortable with him or he’s lost them. Everyone is confused. Or playing together, especially on the press and transition.
Need a coach that’s tactically flexible and innovative. A coach that has a strong mindset and commands respect. Players need to be pulled out of their comfort zones to improve.
Leao doesn’t want to track back to help in D? Sit your @$$ down until you will. Pick players based on merit. RLC inconsistent? Sit down. Benny in poor form? Sit down. Giroud useless game in and game out again? Start Okafor.
Pioli is just too Italian for that. Too rigid…
The question is, who is the right person?
Motta is the obvious.
Graham Potter is cut from similar clothes and has the experi nice of managing a European commitment as well. He was ill used at Chelsea as shown by Poch crashing and burning as well.
De Zerbi is showing he cannot maintain what Potter built. So I’m less bullish on him.
Naglesman would have been intriguing.
Tuchel is looking for a job and has a pedigree but that guy seems to utterly lack man management skills.
Klopp is taking a year off. Hire one of his staff as a caretaker for a year to pay the ground work?
Xavi Hernandez is leaving Barca, has done a fine job in a very limited situation. He lacks a pedigree on the sense of that he’s not won in Europe as a manager yet.
Pochetino if he gets the boot at Chelsea? Again lacks th Euro success. Probably needs to be mesicat d for 6 months post Chelsea Stress Disorder.
I just don’t see the he proven guy in the above. I see plenty of potential. I think I favor Potter bringing some EPL sauce to Italy with the crew we have since it is all a risk anyway.
It’s all a gamble.
You could hire Klopp but find he’s lost his mojo. There was a time when Mourinho and Conte guaranteed trophies, now they just guarantee chaos and misery.
You could take a punt on Abate and find he’s the next Guardiola.
Football is random. It’s almost impossible to know what will work.
I certainly didn’t think Pioli would work.
We will need to probably change this summer just because of the toxicity now around Pioli including with the Curva Sud now turning on him.
If we get it right we could go onto great things. If we get it wrong we could fail to qualify for the champions league next season. That’s how fine the line is. See Napoli.
If I had to pick someone I’d probably go with Motta. We might be able to ride the momentum from this season. Probably best to get a manager on their way up v down.
But it’s pure guesswork – despite all of the confidence with which people express entirely subjective opinions about future projections….
What about ETH? Our player profiles match his tactics. I very much dislike Potter. Chelsea was way over his head, top players don’t respect him and I am sure Pulisic and RLC would not be happy to see him walk through the door. On your list I’d go with Xavi, at least the guys would respect his game and listen to what he has to say. Barca are doing odd stuff in their staffing. The rumor is they are going to promote Rafa Marquez. He better not pull a Tata and quit after one season.
That’s an interesting list to evaluate. I hadn’t thought of Graham Potter but he would be a good choice.
Marco Rose from Leipzig is a good candidate.
Xavi would probably be a good choice.
I wouldn’t be opposed to Potter.
I think someone who’s coming up would be better than someone who might be coming down e.g. Conte, Sarri or Mourinho.
I agree Motta’s the obvious choice but seeing as he’s probably already picked out a black and white tie, how about Emery? I’d take him over this bunch any day of the week.
What happens of we don’t have a good squad?
What are your basing your assessment on if the club is not performing to your standards?
If it’s not performing then presumably the players aren’t playing to the levels you expect them to.
And in the case of the players signed last summer, as a Milan fan you’ve presumably never seen them perform at an acceptable level for you at Milan, given you’re not happy.
And in the case of the players signed last summer who have never won anything ie most of them, on what basis are assessing they are capable of winning trophies?
What if, the squad isn’t all that great, we have massive weaknesses in key areas, and fundamentally lack players with winning mentalities and leadership?
I’m not unhappy with the players. But You are asking the wrong questions.
The right question is: who do we bring in to bring out the best out of our players?
We’ve seen what the team is capable of against the return leg VS PSG for example.
We know what many are capable of but aren’t consistent. That’s on the coach. So we need to bring a person in who can get the most out of his players to then further assess if the players we have are acceptable or not.
In my personal opinion, we have a good core. But they need better mentorship, tactical guidance and leadership.
Fair enough and I agree the right manager and targeted signings could transform this squad.
If say Motta turned out to be the next great manager, and we signed a midfield general, everyone could lift their game.
I’m not against change but the thing with making so many changes is you don’t know what’s working and what’s not working.
Targeted tweaks often achieve far more success.
Look at the difference Pioli, Kjaer and Ibra made!
And before Milan Pioli and Kjaer were journeymen!
Swallowed my comment.
I feel like Motta is a huge gamble. Overall, bologna has performed admirably well this season. However, his team goes in hot and cold patches. That won’t fly at Milan.
I’m afraid that after the inconsistencies of the current season and Ibra’s proclivity for winning mentality, Milan might go for Conte instead.
I don’t know how that would play out. On one hand, he could get his players to buy into his winning mentality. But the flip side is his demands, rigid tactics, and destructive nature of his departures.
@ ACM1899
The thing is we just don’t know.
Motta has done a phenomenal job with Bologna.
And he plays the right formation for our players.
Conte’s last job with Tottenham was a disaster. Every Tottenham fan I know breathed a sigh of relief when he left. He would insist on playing 3 at the back which would require a new rebuild this summer and if he crashes and burns we’d then have to go through another rebuild with the next manager.
Sure there’s a chance he could rediscover his magic but I can’t see his approach working with our players. Leao will almost certainly go. Another key part of our identity gone.
The end of a project that had barely started!
There seems to be two, erm, ‘camps’:
– pro-Pioli/AC Milan;
– anti-Pioli (but like totally pro-Milan, just like, a Future Milan, but like we’ll still have the present, like if we’d won the Europa League I’d be celebrating like mad, so I’ll take the good, just not the bad, because I’m a fan, with like a really high fan ceiling, that just isn’t reaching its potential, because of Pioli).
Where was I?
Not to generalise (this post is meant mostly as a joke so please don’t take offence you sensitive souls calling for a man to be sacked), but it seems to me that:
– most of the pro-Pioli/AC Milan crowd were less than impressed with last summer’s transfers;
AND
– most of the anti-Pioli/AC Milan crowd were hugely in-pressed.
And herein lies the source of the great civil war (between fans of the club and its opponents):
– the anti-Pioli mob had unrealistic expectations because they, seemingly without any basis given the lack of winners amongst them, thought that these new signings had amazing imaginary ceilings;
– the anti-Pioli mob have shown greater loyalty to these completely unproven signings (and Adli) who have never won anything with the club (or any club) to the people who actually delivered our last scudetto and helped turned the club around after years in the wilderness;
– the ani-Pioli mob (as the name suggests) therefore blame everything on Pioli not their precious new signings who just need to be shown the love so they can reach their imaginary ceilings.
And what is I’m sure completely unrelated, the anti-Pioli seem to be a bit more knee jerk in their reactions…
I liked Pioli and the new signings but I agree with most of what you are saying.
I am an anti-Pioli because I was not impressed by this summer market. How about that? As he clearly had his part in the market. To say it’s only the management to blame is pure nativity. With all his revelation and his prophetic 433 all box to box mid that only went fiasco in the end.
Looks like my massive generalisation is unraveling!
I agree he’s to blame to the extent he played a role:
a) in not getting the most out of last season’s squad; and
b) then demanding tons of signings to ‘fix’ the squad.
However the coach actually doesn’t make transfer decisions and the whole reason we have directorS is to ensure stability and strategic signings.
If the system had actually worked properly the club would’ve backed Madlini and Massaro and sacked Pioli.
That would’ve kept their squad in tact and given a different coach an opportunity to do more with it.
Basically a choice between turning CDK around and Pioli.
But we did the worst of both worlds – we sacked the long term plan and kept the short term plan.
Now everyone sees how important Maldini being close to the team was for their mentality. Ibra is not the same.
I am an anti-Pioli because I was not impressed by this summer market. How about that? As he clearly had his part in the market. To say it’s only the management to blame is pure nativity. With all his revelation and his prophetic 433 all box to box mid that only went fiasco in the end.
Fabrizio Romano
AC Milan plans remain clear
and have not changed: Stefano Pioli,
expected to be sacked at the end of the season.
Formal steps to follow in the next weeks to part ways with the manager.
Bye 👋 Bye 👋
You seem delighted that the man who turned the club around is being sacked.
With fans like you, who needs enemies?
bye 👋 bye 👋 Piolis Heir
That is an excellent handle.
You can say what you like to me but you have no respect for the person managing your team.
You’ll just turn on the next guy in the same way.
It’s just utterly pointless.
Pioli’s Heir does not deserve any response in words. Very nice handling of the boring weirdo.
I look forward to being given the handle of the next manager that you turn on.
Too bad a lot of our fans is a bunch of ungrateful sons of bitches. Before pioli, Milan were a mid table team. He got us qualify to ucl for 3 season in a row and 1 scudetto. True fans will never disrespect our coach who have done a lot for us over this last 4 seasons.
Right now Milan have a different goals in sight, we want to be competitive in all competition. Consistently challenging for scudetto, make a deep run in ucl maybe even winning it.
I love pioli but it’s time to move on. I’m very grateful for what he’s done to our club. He definitely exceed our expectations. 4 seasons with 3 ucl qualifications,1 league trophy that’s not bad at all.
True, Pioli has done Milan a huge service and to the fans talking so poorly about him is shameful or shows how detached from emotions they are. We had/have a decent season and yes we won’t win any trophies but to solely blame it on Pioli is unfair. Like MH said some fans think our new signees are god tier and we should of had the season Inter did. I think Pioli sees our players weaknesses and is trying to put them in positions to succeed and he has run out of ideas so yes maybe we should move on to a coach that has fresh ideas but that doesn’t mean Pioli was/is a sh*t manager.
Pioli did us a great service. The venom coming out of some fans teeth is unnecessary and shameful. I think Pioli knows all the players strengths and weaknesses and he tries to put them in positions to succeed but that hasn’t happened in the biggest games. Pioli seems to have run out of ideas and moving on to a coach that has fresh ideas could be a good idea but that does mean Pioli was/is a bad manager.
The issue is the next guy needs to finish 1st next season to justify the decision.
I fear we’re back to another rebuild….
(There are some examples of new managers coming in and instantly winning – Conte’s done it a few times before he lost his mojo, same with Mourinho, Capello, it’s doable but certainly more of the exception than the rule).
Fabrizio Romano this morning :Pioli will get sacked at the end of season . Even win in derby wont save pioli anymore. Ofc that if fabrizio romano accurate as always he did in news. I respect pioli ,he build foundation for ACM and win one scudetto in his 5 years with ACM , but he is stuck and cannot growing anymore , time to start another fresh coach with ACM . I suggest Maurizio Sarri or Vicenzo Italiano , both are free agent ( italiano will leave fiorentina at the end of season to find new challenge ) , both dont asking expensive player or high salary , can work with young player. Sarri win scudetto & UEL while italiano last season reach final UECL and this season still on semifinal UECL . Orher coach like Xabi,Motta,De zerbi still in contract with their club and ACM need to pay release clause to get them so just skip. Other free agent coach like klopp,zidane,conte,tuchel will demand high salary maybe triple than pioli salary also demand expensive player so im doubt management want to hire them
Sarri resigned from Lazio with the team 9th.
Italiano could be another Pioli (in a good and bad way – solid but not going to set the world alight).
I’d go Motta and ride the wave of optimism. He’s done an excellent job with Bologna. If he goes to Juve and they win it’ll be really annoying so also a bit of FOMO on my part!
Motta still in contract with bologna . Im doubt he will join juve , he will stay and lead bologna play in CL . No chance RedBird want to pay bologna to release motta ( he have no release clause so bologna can asking as many money for motta ) . Yes Sarri out from lazio , but last season his team despite low budget transfer and low total salary ( lazio salary below Inter,Juve,ACM,Roma,Napoli) can finish 2nd serie A above ACM that finish 5th . Sarri are experience coach , his atacking playstyle are good , he is recomended by arrigo sachi too . For vicenzo italiano, he never causing problem to fiorentina , i hope he win UECL this season with fiorentina , many ex coach and pundit say he is italian version of klopp . If you like pioli then you will like vicenzo italiano too