Without a win in the last three games, AC Milan are at serious risk of missing Champions League qualification once again. It’s time to examine the reason behind this crisis.
The Rossoneri are in crisis. At perhaps the most crucial phase of the season AC Milan are unable to win in the last three Serie A matches. It is necessary to examine carefully the reasons that have caused the slow dissolution of the glittering Milan admired in Bergamo against Atalanta. What happened? Why did that team and that formula break up? The answers are complex and must be put in order of relevance.
1) The shock of the derby. The decisive step, on an emotional and nervous level, was caused by the shock defeat in the derby. Milan, bold and confident, arrived at the appointment with Inter convinced it would win the derby and secure a considerable difference in the standings with their city-rivals. Instead the Rossoneri faced a bitter surprise and Luciano Spalletti‘s tactics prevailed. The management of the after derby was not appropriate and Gattuso’s nervousness did the rest.
2) The international break. Those two weeks, instead of providing a serene period of mental and physical recovery, in fact injected more toxins and tension. A little bit for the famous dispute between Lucas Biglia and Kessie and a bit because the many Rossoneri internationals instead of recovering were busy on the pitch and spent additional energy.
3) Formation change and injuries. Then there is the role of injuries that have suddenly decimated in a few days the squad available to the coach. Gattuso tried to reshuffle the cards by changing game system, but that experiment didn’t work because after 25 minutes, Lucas Paqueta suffered a serious ankle injury and the entire plan was abandoned. Castillejo as attacking midfielder never found his position and slowly started slipping away on the right, according to habits.
Perhaps this experiment would have given unpleasant results but nobody is able to affirm it except by vulgar prejudice. What is certain is that the 4-3-1-2 formation was aborted for sheer misfortune. In our humble opinion it’s hard to save anyone from the very black evening with Udinese, except Cutrone, the most alive for obvious reasons, followed by Calhanoglu who tried and tried again to incite. Having conceded the equalizer goal from a counter-attack is a motive of serious criticism for the positions on the pitch, the attention of the most expert players and the superficiality of some youngsters at their first experiences.
Now everything becomes more complicated and a place in the top four is at serious risk. AC Milan have no other option but to win, starting with Juventus. A very difficult feat but it is on these occasions that the skills and abilities of the coach, the club and team are measured. Only them, each in their own sphere, must prove themselves worthy of the club and its triumphs, of its immense history.
