Following AC Milan’s exit from the Coppa Italia at the hands of Atalanta on Wednesday night, questions have come to light about the Rossoneri’s inability to perform in big games.
This season has seen targets slip and fall consistently. Inter’s nine-point lead, frustration in the Champions League, and a controversial loss to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia means there is now just a faint hope for the Scudetto and a need for success in the Europa League.
Sky Italy reports the Rossoneri have won four of their big games so far in the 2023-24 season against Lazio, PSG, Newcastle and Roma. The draws against Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle do little to mask the fact that there are six big losses, which need to be investigated.
➤ Roma 1-2 W
➤ Inter 5-1 L
➤ Newcastle 0-0 D
➤ Lazio 2-0 W
➤ Dortmund 0-0 D
➤ Juventus 0-1 L
➤ PSG 3-0 L
➤ Napoli 2-2 D
➤ PSG 2-1 W
➤ Dortmund 1-3 L
➤ Atalanta 3-2 L
➤ Newcastle 1-2 W
➤ Atalanta 1-2 L
The loss against Atalanta is the latest of a series of results which are not good enough. However, this now means that the scrutiny about a positive run in the Europa League will increase substantially, given it is probably the Diavolo’s only chance of a positive season.
Ultimately, the goals set out at the beginning of the season have not been achieved, and Milan’s inability to perform when it matters most has cost them. Unless they show signs of improvement in Europe, it will be a season of what could have been.
