Stefano Pioli has been criticised for somehow managing to ‘lose the same match twice’ as AC Milan were beaten 4-2 by Monza last night at the U-Power Stadium.
Calciomercato.com analyse the game and state that the starting line-up Pioli chose was ‘absurd’ because evidently the lessons of last season were of no use, nor did the recent example of Simone Inzaghi give him enlightenment about starting strong and then making changes.
Instead, Pioli ‘prefers to start uphill with the reserves and then waste the rest of the starters’ as per the assessment, working twice as hard to get a draw or in this case nothing.
The mass rotation was one thing, but then the excuses after the game did not add up, for example if Rafael Leao really had calf problems then sending him onto the field in the second half was an inexplicable gamble.
Equally serious was the message that president Paolo Scaroni broadcast live on DAZN in which he stated that Milan are vying for a Champions League spot and not the Scudetto, therefore an objective almost achieved.
The real Milan, with 10 men, came back from two goals down against Monza, after ‘Milan B’ had given their hosts a head start and only shot once on goal. Malick Thiaw made mistakes yes, but the players in front of him must also be questioned.
Milan still have plenty of time to overtake Juventus and finish second. However, the Rossoneri are out of Champions League and have not qualified for the Club World Cup, they will not win the Scudetto and they might miss out on the next Supercoppa in Riyadh.
However, Gerry Cardinale and Scaroni have just reiterated their satisfaction with Pioli’s results. they are happy, but Atalanta arrive at San Siro on Sunday and losing to them for the third time this season wouldn’t be a great sign.
