The defeat against Udinese yesterday has put several players under the microscope, while Rafael Leao’s goal drought also continued.
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La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that there are three major factors behind the new crisis that Milan find themselves in, starting with the defensive errors the team keep on committing. The first goal last night came from Ismael Bennacer’s pass to Fikayo Tomori that was cut out before Pereyra netted.
In 2023 only Cremonese have conceded more goals than Milan (26 for them, 25 for Milan) but Ciofani and his side are fighting not to be relegated whereas the Rossoneri are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
After a streak of three matches without conceding a goal, Milan had three put past them by Fiorentina and Udinese, the latter having not won at home since the end of September (3-1 against Inter).
The second reason is the drop in form that Rafael Leao has suffered. He shot twice on goal in a bright start yesterday but then seemed to drift away again, with his last goal coming on January 14 against Lecce.
The shadow of the contract renewal has been hovering over him for several months, with Maldini and Massara hoping to close the deal after the World Cup, but that didn’t happen. Leao seems to have returned to the player he was two seasons ago and he is certainly not smiling any more.
The third reason is the toothless attack, led by Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the Dacia Arena who scored a penalty but never seemed to have an understanding with Leao or Alexis Saelemaekers. Origi, Rebic and De Ketelaere came on but nobody shot, which essentially meant there was zero threat.
