As our poor form continues, AC Milan need leadership and key individuals to step up, and that starts with Stefano Pioli and Rafael Leao.
Our defeat to Udinese on Saturday night followed losses to Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, in addition to our squandering of a two-goal lead in Naples, and so a four-game winless streak has once again raised question marks.
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Prior to that we drew a blank in Dortmund and scraped through with a win against Genoa, and it’s the manner of the performances that have highlighted the concern as we don’t look like a side with much in the way of direction, ideas and identity.
Aside from falling six points adrift of Serie A leaders Inter at the weekend, we sit bottom of Group F in the Champions League and risk bowing out of the competition at the first hurdle if we don’t string results together in our final three games.
The word ‘crisis’ is starting to be used again in some sections of the Italian media, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that there is still trust in Pioli, but our next two games against PSG and Lecce could be decisive.
And so, this turnaround starts with the Milan boss. We looked devoid of ideas and quality in attack this past weekend, as we struggled to show any structure or inventiveness to what we were doing in our attempts to break Udinese down.
That in turn led to unsurprising jeers from the stands at San Siro, and while X, formerly known as Twitter, is rarely a balanced arena when it comes to sporting opinion, the feeling amongst Milan supporters is seemingly one of growing frustration and disappointment, and calls for change will only gather pace if we don’t get back on track.
Pioli has to find answers and solutions in how he sets this team up. To make us more unpredictable, dynamic and effective in our build-up play to pick teams apart and unlock defences.
Yes, we have injury issues to contend with and it undoubtedly makes his life more difficult. However, we have ability and experience in this squad still, and we need to see the players put in a position to be able to win games, and do so in good fashion.
While the Milan boss only shares part of the blame and responsibility, it falls on the players to deliver too.
And that starts with our leading talent, Rafael Leao. As our No.10, having been rewarded with his new contract this past summer and with the trust of his teammates and coaching staff to set the standard, the 24-year-old must step up and lead by example when we’re struggling.
Three goals and four assists in 14 appearances so far this season isn’t the return of a world-class, elite level talent that we believe him to be. Six consecutive league games without a goal and no goal contribution at all in the Champions League thus far reinforce that viewpoint.
Others absolutely need to step up too and support him, as we can’t slip back into the ‘safe’ option of relying on him to do it all. However, his standard hasn’t been good enough, and we expect, and need, more from him in the next two games. Importantly, Leao himself will know that it hasn’t been good enough as his decisive touch has deserted him in recent weeks.
Time will tell if we get the response and results we desire over the next seven days, but it could turn out to potentially be a turning point in our season, whichever way it goes.
