Journalist criticises ‘missing’ Milan winger and midfielder: “Football is not his job at this level”

By Akhil Prasad -

AC Milan have two major weaknesses and were wrong to bring Tiemoue Bakayoko back to the club in the summer, a journalist has claimed.

Milan failed to ensure they would stay top above Inter and Napoli for another week as they succumbed to a sub-par draw against lowly Udinese at the Stadio Friuli. Speaking of which, renowned Italian journalist Mario Sconcerti has given a stinging opinion in his column on the weekend’s pages of the Corriere della Sera (via MilanLive).

The columnist gave his say regarding the choices of players at Stefano Pioli’s disposal, pinpointing a handful of midfielders who tend to make a difference in the middle-third.

Milan have been handed a long list of absentees due to injuries and suspensions, due to which several not-so-regular players were used by Pioli in Udine.

“Bakayoko has unfortunately been a misunderstanding for some time. Selfless, physically splendid, but football is not his job at this level. It is no coincidence that he has changed teams every year for a long time with the sole merit of costing nothing. His gaps also confuse Ismael Bennacer, a very important player for the quality of his game,” he explained.

Sconcerti also pointed out Alexis Saelemaekers alongside Bakayoko, as the two real ‘shortcomings’ of this Milan side.

He said: “In addition to Bakayoko, Saelemaekers is also missing. In my opinion, the two of them are the real shortcomings of this Milan. A team that at the moment cannot do without Tonali and Kessie”

However, it is not only the showings in midfield that Milan have fallen victim to, as they have also suffered equally in the final-third.

“It is incomprehensible how Ibrahimovic can be discussed. Who is missing is not him, but Giroud. Ibra is there and often scores. What this Milan does not have is warmth and determination, yesterday they deservedly reached a draw but it was certainly not the result that was needed,” he commented.

Milan sit atop the league with 39 points after 17 matchdays, closely trailed by Atalanta, Napoli and Inter.


READ MORE: Ibrahimovic reveals why Milan return was ‘difficult’ and insists adrenaline is channelled into Scudetto push

Tags AC Milan Alexis Saelemaekers Tiemoue Bakayoko

18 Comments

  1. He is right, Saelemaekers is not close to a top level player, he’s a Serie B player at best, Bakayoko just needs to leave. How much we miss Huage now.

    1. Yes, the Hauge who has played a combined 87 minutes in the last 6 Bundesliga matches and has a total of 2 League goals and 0 assists?! At the risk of sounding overly critical of him, I just don’t understand those of you who keep announcing him as the next big thing when he has clearly struggled this season moreso than last year. I hope that transfer becomes permanent as he is a downgrade on the current Milan wingers.

      1. 2 goals in 87 minutes? That’s an excellent ratio! It just proves he’s a qualified goal scoring machine. People who score goals don’t need to shine and play well as long as they keep scoring.

        1. 2 goals total for the season and riding the bench for most of it too. Not a great return on investment. He is poor. Still young with time to improve but to say he would be an upgrade at Milan is pure nonsense.

      2. Hauge score 3 goals for Frankfurt in all competitions so far. He had 24 apps and 5 goals for milan , and only 14 apps with 3 goals for Frankfurt. It’s not about how Good he is but it’s about how’s the coach like him? Do you See leao? He’s been with Milan for 3 seasons and it doesn’t show me his performance consistency. I believe No one club willing to spend € 30 M for him, even Man. City that news was bullshit. Cos City bought Jack Grealish for £ 100 M ,and guardiola knows the quality

    1. Bennacer pass is adequate, but baka failed to shield the ball and jog instead of run when he lost the ball. And shielding ball is a basic thing for DMF with bakayoko posture

    2. It’s not just about Baka in this game or that mistake alone..this guy is sloppy and has no confidence when he is on the ball… I think he keeps his brain in the Fridge when he comes to the field. He is the headless chicken ..

      1. But maldini who really wants him to complete Milan midfield.even last seasons maldini tried to brought him to milan.maybe Milan wants to keep him for Next seasons? If Milan has No budget to sign top quality player, they can develop their young player from their academy

  2. Bennacer should have not played that ball to Bakayoko but since he did,Baka got disposessed too easy. I agree with the journalist. Salaemaekers is just not good enough.
    Free style tricks are for the circus.

    1. Hauge score 3 goals for Frankfurt in all competitions so far. He had 24 apps and 5 goals for milan , and only 14 apps with 3 goals for Frankfurt. It’s not about how Good he is but it’s about how’s the coach like him? Do you See leao? He’s been with Milan for 3 seasons and it doesn’t show me his performance consistency. I believe No one club willing to spend € 30 M for him, even Man. City that news was bullshit. Cos City bought Jack Grealish for £ 100 M ,and guardiola knows the quality

  3. Baka and Florenzi do not fit into that team, (salary/age/willigness) for that money you can have at least 6-7 talents! of course you need to pay about 5mios each and one or two will not succeed, but thats the way how Porto/Benfica/Lille/Salzburg earns 100mio revenue per year.

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