Journalist Luca Serafini believes that it is time for AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli to change his tactical approach in order to try and turn the team’s fortunes around.
Milan suffered another damaging defeat on Tuesday night as they swept aside by Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio in the capital. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Mattia Zaccagni each scored in the first half to continue the trend of falling behind early, with a penalty from Luis Alberto and a fourth from Felipe Anderson condemning the Rossoneri to another dismal loss.
It comes after a damaging defeat against Inter in the Supercoppa which ended hopes of one trophy, which in turn came not long after Milan had been knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Torino. Draws against Roma and Lecce (each 2-2) make it five without a win.
Serafini spoke in his weekly column for MilanNews are provided an assessment of the struggles thus far in January, also pointing the magnifying glass towards Pioli for persisting with a system that does not seem to be working.
“We need a change of men and perhaps of formation. The team is disintegrated, it must be reassembled starting from the system. I’m sorry for many of you readers, but I’m not disavowing Stefano Pioli right now in the difficulties, even if so profound, continuing to believe in his lucidity,” he said.
“I do not disavow either Maldini or Massara. Nor this team. The Scudetto wasn’t a miracle, it wasn’t a coincidence. It was the (deserved, natural and triumphal) conclusion of a job that began with the 9 victories in the post lockdown, continued with the 27 consecutive days at the top of the standings in the 2021-22 season and the second place finish, with the many crumbled records in 3 years, with qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League after 8 years and with this first round where – behind Napoli in flight – there was always and only Milan.
“If anything, like everyone I await a signal from the property. The team must be helped, but also the managers and the coach. Because with Thiaw, Dest, Vrancks, Adli, DeKetelaere and Origi, but without Maignan, Calabria, Kjaer, Krunic, Rebic, Ibrahimovic, you are second and you have been for the entire first round.
“Thanks to the low level of the Italian league? It could be, but evidently at this level Milan have adapted and have rediscovered solidity and competitiveness. For 3 years and up to 87′ on 9 January 2023.
“The others, those who have made a bigger and more numerous transfer market, are behind and have always been behind. Paolo Maldini’s phrases on Tuesday evening may also be those of a businessman (the most inflated insult by fans towards those who try to analyse, without railing against this or that), but they reflect reality: you fell into a hole not because it was inevitable after a miracle that wasn’t at all, but because you are no longer careful where you step.”
Of course
Wise man. I hope Pioli can listen
Milan needs a change in personnel. More time should be given to those on the bench while resting older players. It is high time to bring the youngsters and give them responsibilities, instead of shying them away from them (the mistake Pioli is committing right now)