Three journalists have had their say regarding how AC Milan’s 2020-21 campaign went, with some praise for three men in particular.
In the end Inter are the champions, then Milan follow in second, Atalanta in third and Juventus in fourth with Napoli missing out on the final day. Benevento, Parma and Crotone have been relegated.
The Rossoneri travelled north to Bergamo knowing that only a win against Atalanta would be enough to guarantee a finish in the top four, and given that both Napoli and Juventus – who were breathing down their necks – had easier fixtures on paper, some had Milan as underdogs to secure Champions League qualification. However, they won 2-0 to not only secure a Champions League return, but finish second as well.
TuttoMercatoWeb have decided to ask three journalists for their judgement on the season which has just ended, namely Marco Fallisi of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Federico Masini of Tuttosport and Carlo Pellegatti. Below are their assessments.
The best
Marco Fallisi: “Kessie and Ibrahimovic. The Swede was the man of the turning point, he kept Milan high when he played. Kessie took his team-mates by the hand when Ibra was missing.”
Federico Masini: “Pioli. The coach was able to give continuity after the excellent summer of 2020, they were first for half the season and finished in second place after risking the insult of staying out of the top four. They did it for half the season without Bennacer and especially Ibrahimovic. And second place, with a lesser squad than Juve, Napoli and Atalanta, is like a Scudetto on a personal level.”
Carlo Pellegatti: “Kessie was the best player, the presence of Ibra was fundamental but in terms of continuity and charisma and quality of play, Kessie was certainly the best.”
The worst
Fallisi: “Mandzukic: insufficient because he was betrayed by his muscles, in those few occasions he had he never managed to make a difference. He should have scored instead of Ibra but he never played.”
Masini: “Mandzukic. Bad rage, but the Croatian was more of a burden than a Scudetto hit (when he arrived at Milan). Few matches, no goals and no contribution from deputy Ibra.”
Pellegatti: “I’m sorry but I say Mandzukic. Because he was unable to express his qualities due to physical problems.”
Rating for the season
Fallisi: “8 because they dominated for months, they had the Champions League target and they hit it with merit. They got the away record and played a season that was always near the top, a young group that proved to be mature.”
Masini: “9. Second place makes all the difference in the world. With the fifth, however, it would have been a 7 season anyway.”
Pellegatti: “I vote eight, ten if Milan had won the league. Great season always conducted among the top four. A really nice season.”
Rating for the coach
Fallisi: “Eight for Pioli. He built a Champions team day after day, good at managing the group and built a module suited to their characteristics. He held the bar straight after the defeats. Incredible work on the players’ heads.”
Masini: “9.5. It would be 10, but half a point less because the performance at home thwarted the possibility before trying to fight Inter until the end and then to reach the Champions League with more serenity.”
Pellegatti: “Pioli deserves a good eight in the report card. Milan have always been at the top of the standings for a year, they managed to overcome difficult moments with a young team.”
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