Most teams would expect a slight dip if their starting goalkeeper has to miss a few months, but the numbers AC Milan have with Ciprian Tatarusanu are worrying.
MilanNews recall how Tatarusanu has reached 33 total appearances for Milan in which he conceded 48 goals at an average of 1.4 goals per game, with only nine clean sheets in total since he arrived.
Looking at the first choice Mike Maignan who is currently out, he has played 48 times for Milan conceding 42 goals, therefore around 0.8 per game. He also has 21 clean sheets which is one every two games.
In the first seven league matches when Maignan was in goal, Milan let in just over one goal per game; in the remaining 13 with Tatarusanu between the posts, the average exceeded 1.5 goals per game.
Even if the overall performance of the defence has worsened this season, the gulf between the two is clear in terms of shot-stopping ability, aerial command, command of the box in general and of course leadership.
It was quite clear that something was needed in January to fix this problem, especially given Maignan’s recovery times lengthened significantly in December. A goalkeeper was bought in Devis Vasquez, but Pioli says he is not ready and not many people know much about him.
The management and the club in general could and should have intervened to give a confidence boost to the whole Rossoneri defence. The blame for Milan’s negative momentum cannot be placed entirely on Tatarusanu’s shoulders, but there was a chance to fix an obvious deficiency that was not taken.
