Luca Serafini has questioned the tactical approach taken by AC Milan in their two recent defeats against Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.
It has been dubbed the ‘week of fire’ and it is certainly living up to its daunting appearance, as Milan were beaten 1-0 by Juve at San Siro on Sunday night and then 3-0 in Paris on Wednesday.
The defeat against the Bianconeri was admittedly heavily conditioned by the red card which Malick Thiaw was given in the 40th minute after he was spun by Moise Kean, whereas the team were given a lesson in counter-attacking and finishing in the French capital.
Serafini spoke in his weekly column for MilanNews and beyond analysing the results, he also spoke about the tactical approach that the team took in both games.
“A delicate week started in the worst possible way: with 10 men for almost an hour against Juve, determined and convincing for only half an hour against PSG,” he began.
“No goals (it’s the 5th consecutive match in the Champions League…), no step forward. Now the path is uphill with the big stage in Naples, but the game remains open on all fronts. Of course, the trend needs to reverse.
“Against Juve the final error (reading and decision) was Thiaw’s, but at that moment the team was too unbalanced and opened up the field for the Juventus counter-attack.
“In Paris the formation was almost obligatory: Kalulu-Calabria makes little difference for Mbappè who is used to skipping past his opponent with ease, whoever he is.
“Adli is better (and is better in that role) than Krunic, but when he came on he didn’t do well, on the contrary: two of his errors gave rise to the third French goal and the risk of conceding the fourth.
“We can discuss at length – as always – the formation choices and changes, but the verdict fails when faced with other more evident and well-established problems if we really want to shine the spotlight on Pioli and the staff.
“The first is undoubtedly that of injuries. There are too many, and for too long. It’s very true that last weekend around thirty players in Serie A were unavailable, but Milan almost systematically travel without a quarter of their squad.
“I have spoken many times about doctors and trainers, I have trusted and relied on them for more than 30 years, but a problem exists although I have no qualifications to assume the causes.
“The hard pitches, the systems, the individual choices of the athletes: I really don’t know but, I repeat, there is a problem. It’s already difficult in normal conditions, but if you show up for the most delicate week at the start of the season without one or two goalkeepers, without Loftus Cheek, Chukwueze, Okafor, the long-term patient Bennacer and Jovic gets hurt during the warm-up on the sidelines, it becomes almost impossible. It’s time to understand the causes once and for all and remedy them.
“The second point is attitude. Nothing to say against Juve, but in Paris after Mbappè’s goal (PSG’s first shot on target, an almost usual occurrence) they lost order, bite, conviction, slowly sliding towards surrender so the second French goal, among the beautiful figurines in defence that looked like a nativity scene, it was sadly significant.
“Davide Calabria’s statements at the end of the match are strong, they concern his team-mates and the coach responded piqued, except for posthumous clarifications which I know were in total harmony.
“We can discuss the ways, in a complicated post-game meeting, but when the dust isn’t swept under the carpet I’m personally inclined to approve them.
“There is the problem of goals. The crosses are missing and their quality too, Giroud exhausts himself in a job that is not usual for a centre-forward, but this is Milan’s game and it will always be difficult for the central striker to reach 20 or more goals per season.
“To make up for this, the midfielders should have more confidence. And Leao. I don’t know at what point Rafa’s process of maturation, growth and evolution is, but continuity is certainly an option that he lives with too serenely.
“He must shake off his defects, because in terms of quality he is the strongest. In the end the problem is not so much just the defeat in Paris, but the fruitless solidity that allowed Newcastle and Borussia to dominate without any construct. Without any advantages.
“To conclude, I return to Calabria and Pioli: a serious and profound internal discussion must arise from public declarations. I agree with the captain: we have to believe in it until the end because every discussion is open in the league and in the Champions League.
“It is up to Pioli to find solutions and remedies, but this is so clear as to appear banal.”
“Davide Calabria’s statements at the end of the match are strong, they concern his team-mates and the coach responded piqued…”
Why was the coach piqued? Guilt? 🤔
“Adli is better (and is better in that role) than Krunic, but when he came on he didn’t do well, on the contrary: two of his errors gave rise to the third French goal and the risk of conceding the fourth.”
I’m glad he kept it real. Let’s not pretend that Adli wasn’t at fault for that third goal. Came across and got beaten for pace (the same thing we accuse Krunic of lacking) by a 17 year old who then passes to his teammate in exactly the space left by Adli. But we gave him a pass and crucify other players
“Let’s not pretend that Adli wasn’t at fault for that third goal. Came across and got beaten for pace (the same thing we accuse Krunic of lacking) by a 17 year old who then passes to his teammate in exactly the space left by Adli. But we gave him a pass and crucify other players”
How many times has Leao been forgiven? Dozens and dozens. Adli is young and still learning. The match was over way before Adli’s sloppy defending. Krunic & others made sure of that. I’d rather have Adli make mistakes in a match against PSG at 2-0 than in Napoli-Milan at 0-0. Why shouldn’t we have patience with Adli? People are still demanding patience with Leao while everyone knows he hasn’t got the attitude it takes to make it.
Yes but you guys crucify Krunic every time he makes a mistake. Remember the shot that deflected off of him ??? Everyone was up arms. Keep the same energy when Adli makes the same errors too. He’s not a kid anymore. And to say you’re ok making a mistake at 2-0 is reckless. We don’t know how the group will turn out or if that can affect goal difference down the line.
“Krunic & others made sure of that” really? You mean your darling signings Musah and Reinjders. Krunic had nothing to do with those goals. If Deers and Musah did their defensive duties (Leao is a winger btw, his defensive duties is of less importance of you’ve ever played football) we’d be 0-0 going into 79th minute and if Adli didn’t make a grave mistake we’d take a healthy point off PSG at home. But it’s alright… anything goes badly it’s always Krunic fualt. And that’s my point
“Yes but you guys crucify Krunic every time he makes a mistake. ”
Remind me again, how many chances has he had? And Adli? Everyone has seen what Krunic can offer. You cannot say the same about Adli.
“(Leao is a winger btw, his defensive duties is of less importance of you’ve ever played football”
LOL. Everybody plays defense – unless you’re Messi. Giroud is the f*kng CF and he plays more defense in one match than Leao the whole season. Are you saying the CFs need to defend but wingers don’t? What an expert you are. 😀