GdS: Milan ‘indefensible’ – repeated mistakes have Allegri searching for another cure

AC Milan are making repeated mistakes against the ‘lesser’ sides in Serie A, and Massimiliano Allegri might soon run out of patience.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport report this morning, this is a Milan side that beat Napoli, Roma and Bologna and pinned Juventus to the wall at the Allianz Stadium. Against Cremonese, Pisa, and Parma, however, the Rossoneri floundered and made mistakes not befitting of a title contender.

Allegri was ‘furious’ after Saturday’s draw in Parma, both after the 90th minute and even at half-time. After the final whistle, he was upset about the lack of victory and the colossal chances missed at 2-2 by Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers.

Above all, the coach was angry at the interval about the way his team – who were in complete control at two goals up – had conceded from nothing and allowed Parma to get back into the game.

Costly errors

In Parma, Pervis Estupinan and Youssouf Fofana had particularly poor showings. The Ecuadorian was responsible for both of the opposition’s goals: his glaring inattention at 2-1 was evident. Instead of covering the ball or kicking it out, he was barged off it by Britschgi then Bernabe curled in a beauty.

The former Brighton man’s inattention was also there on the second goal, allowing Britschgi to cross for Delprato to make it 2-2. The defender’s run, however, was completely missed by Fofana, who is no stranger to this type of error.

Bonazzoli’s spectacular overhead kick in the loss to Cremonese in the first game of the season came from Pezzella’s cross, and it was the French midfielder who failed to stay close to the former Inter striker.

Other avoidable mistakes against the lower-ranking teams include Strahinja Pavlovic allowing Baschirotto to head home for the opener, Koni De Winter’s handball on Cuadrado’s long-range strike, and Zahcary Athekame failing to trigger offside in the build-up for Pisa’s goal to make it 2-1.

Allegri’s reaction

In the dressing room on Saturday, Allegri held back his temper. He wasn’t happy about the wasted opportunity, about allowing Parma to turn things around in a match the Rossoneri were controlling.

At the same time, however, he’s aware (and has been aware for some time) that this group had the same problems last year, that they were making the same mistakes. Namely, they couldn’t stem the negative moments.

In this regard, introducing Luka Modric’s experience into midfield wasn’t entirely sufficient, especially since the Croatian has been without a capable partner like Rabiot, the other key player in the current AC Milan squad, since the international break.

New signings like Estupinan, De Winter and Christopher Nkunku – all starters at the Tardini – haven’t provided the hoped-for contribution so far. Or at least, they haven’t helped stem the bleeding in difficult moments, when they had to suffer, battle and take the sting out o things.

Among the new players, Samuele Ricci and Athekame didn’t shine either. Allegri’s use of the term ‘chickens’ therefore has a more comprehensive meaning, extending beyond the goals conceded. He expects his Milan to be more cunning, not only in key moves, but also in key moments of matches.

The Italian knows he doesn’t have the squad to dominate the league and win every game. A process of psychological growth is therefore needed, both among the players who were there last season (and they already had similar lapses) and among some of the new players.

A Scudetto-winning team doesn’t squander points (six) from advantageous situations like they did against Pisa, Atalanta and Parma. They also don’t experience such severe slumps in the second half (Milan lead in points earned in the opening 45 minutes).

It’s impossible to have a decent defensive phase against Roma, Juve, Bologna, and Napoli (aside from the penalty awarded) and then suffer so much against those battling against relegation. It’s not for the great, but for the weak. Max knows this and is looking for a ‘cure’.