The finger of blame continues to be pointed at Paolo Maldini by many, but the problems at AC Milan run deeper than just the faults of the head coach.
As Tuttosport (via MilanNews) write this morning, Milan face tomorrow evening’s match against Frosinone in the midst of a very dark period, in which there were very few victories and even fewer convincing performances.
In order not to see the season slip between their fingers, and in order for Pioli not to lose his job, the team will have to give answers and that is why the head coach will ask for a response from those he considers pillars of his team.
The ownership have no intention of changing coach during the current season, but clearly after two months in which the Rossoneri have only won two matches – one in the Champions League and one (badly) in the league – two questions must begin to be asked do them.
Pioli’s trust remains but another misstep could also be fatal, especially after the match against Borussia Dortmund which almost eliminated their chances of going through in the Champions League. The coach will have to show that he has his team in hand, even now.
However, he cannot do it alone and needs his men, considering the situation of the squad which is literally decimated by injuries. From a personality point of view, the best players were missing against Dortmund: no one was able to react to the difficulties that befell the Rossoneri.
First there was the double penalty incident (Olivier Giroud missing, Marco Reus scoring after a clumsy foul by the captain Davide Calabria) and then Malick Thiaw’s injury. Nobody took the team on their shoulders.
This is a clear issue that must be changed immediately, starting tomorrow. In such a complicated situation, it is the best players, those with the greatest charisma, who will have to raise the bar.
We are talking above all about Mike Maignan who was excellent against Fiorentina and who has strong leadership skills who perhaps, being a goalkeeper, is heard less on the pitch during a match because they are often far from the action.
Above all Calabria and Theo Hernandez must step up. The Italian is providing mixed performances, while the Frenchman must get back to clocking up miles and producing quality on the left, more than ever now that Leao is away. Pioli and Milan rely on their leaders who, however, perhaps have yet to understand that they are leaders.
Yes, Maignan that let in 2 goals that he shouldn’t have. How is he different to Calabria exactly? Or Theo?
There isn’t a single player on the team who wouldn’t need to raise their level. Tomori might be the closest thing to not needing but last time I checked, there’s 11 players on the pitch.