AC Milan’s defensive record continues to cause great alarm with goals going in by the bunch, and some shortsightedness relating to the business done last summer could be to blame.
Milan qualified for the round of 16 of the Europa League but returned from the trip to Brittany against Rennes with more negative than positive indications, losing 3-2 on the night and again showing very little control.
What made the difference were the individual plays of the top performers like Rafael Leão and Theo Hernández, something that Stefano Pioli cannot continue to rely upon.
As Calciomercato.com write, the last two matches against Monza and Rennes saw Milan concede seven goals, a fact that should make us reflect on a team that is absolutely incapable of managing the game with ball possession.
Pioli has not yet found a solution despite the signs that have arrived, even if it seemed that Milan could at least make Inter’s race towards the second star more difficult early in the season.
Milan lack a positional midfielder in their squad; a player who has the size and physical strength to act as a screen for the defence.
In the summer the management identified Yunus Musah as the defensive midfielder suited to Pioli’s game but the American seems to give his best in pressing and running forward with the ball, less so in transition.
This is why, beyond the considerations to be made on Pioli’s future, Milan will have to work in this direction in the next summer transfer window, as well as probably signing another centre-back.