Everything was going well for AC Milan just a week ago, with first place in Serie A and two matches without defeat in the Champions League. But Juventus Turin, PSG then Naples have been there. Result, two defeats and a draw, a 3rd place in the championship and a compromised qualification for the round of 16 of C1. Yesterday evening, however, everything started well with a double from Giroud in the first half against Rudi Garcia’s Napoli. Except that everything shattered after the break for a final score of 2-2. With its share of criticism.
And clearly, it is Stefano Pioli, the coach who has turned around AC Milan since 2019, who crystallizes these. In question, his inability to complete the meeting and his choices during the meeting. Rudi Garcia must be laughing about it, he who experienced such a mishap, because Pioli was treated to gestures of humor from Giroud and Rafael Leão, who left in the 81st minute, when the score was already 2-2. He had already been questioned by the usual captain Davide Calabria after the defeat against PSG last Wednesday.
The Zlatan rumor intensifies
The Italian press is unanimous this Monday morning in judging that something is no longer going right in Pioli’s Milan. Too much nervousness, too many injuries, too many individual failures. The Frenchman Théo Hernandez has been far from his usual level for several meetings. Rafael Leão continues to disappoint, which does not prevent him from asking his coach for explanations when he is replaced 10 minutes from time. Is Pioli losing control of his locker room?
More and more voices are being raised to demand the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in a role of advisor or sporting director. The Swede could restore order, re-motivate the troops and help Pioli. On social networks, the Italian coach is far from unanimous and the scenario of the meeting against Naples clearly does not reverse the trend. But the schedule should allow it to raise its head: of the next 6 matches, 5 will be played at home (including PSG in the Champions League).
