During AC Milan’s defeat to Udinese, there were moments on the field that showed a squad that is feeling the heat.
La Gazzetta dello Sport write that on that awful Saturday at San Siro, Milan showed with some unusual moments of nervousness, which even Massimiliano Allegri displayed. These aren’t serious incidents – they happen often on bad days – but they do worry the fans a bit ahead of the season finale.
A team on edge
Let’s revisit those moments. In the 27th minute: Milan conceded the first goal and Alexis Saelemaekers – who had chased Zaniolo for 40 metres – makes a very visible protest to a team-mate who was left in the other half of the pitch. Most likely, Rafael Leao.
In the 37th minute: Ekkelenkamp doubles the lead by leaping higher than Koni De Winter, and Mike Maignan looks disconsolately at his defence. In the 60th minute: Luka Modric heads the ball to Leao, who plays the ball with his back heel and loses it, triggering a double reaction.
Leao complained to Niclas Füllkrug (it is uncertain as to why, perhaps he was expecting him closer) and Modric makes a composed gesture toward Rafa, as if to say, with a logical interpretation: “We’re losing 2-0, let’s play simple.”
A bad day can happen in a 38-game season, but something will need to be fixed, as Adrien Rabiot hinted at regarding work rate. Allegri, always very good at this, downplayed the situation and refocused attention on the foundations on which he built the team.
“It’s a tough moment for everyone. We defended poorly as a team. We need to be more organised, patient, and clear-headed,” he said. This Milan team have fought together since the start of the season and has repeatedly overcome difficult moments together, so the hope is they will do so again.
Some players will be more important than others. Matteo Gabbia, ready to return, was a key figure in the first half of the season and could come back in.
Fikayo Tomori was on the bench vs. Udinese and is perhaps the most instinctive player on the team, but he has more experience than almost all his team-mates.
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This f*ckin guy made Modric angry, this is an achievement on itself. What a toxic waste, Balotelli vibes, but with less sporting contribution and within better teammates which makes it worse.