Journalist Pietro Mazzara believes that Sergio Conceicao should take on very little blame for the defeat against Juventus, picking apart the flaws in the squad.
Just as it looked like a corner might have been turned after three wins and a draw in the first four games under Conceicao, a 2-0 defeat away against Juventus arrived which has really complicated the push for a Champions League place.
In truth it was fully deserved, too, as the Bianconeri’s second-half performance was far greater in energy, intensity and quality than that of their opponents, who were swallowed up by the counter-press and generated very few chances.
A report this morning stated that Conceicao told those close to him that he has ‘never coached a group with such little character’, which came after he questioned the hunger and desire of the players at full-time.
Mazzara published his weekly column on MilanNews in which he reacted to the damaging defeat in Turin on Saturday evening, insisting that it reflects a wider failure in squad construction.
“Monday sermon, with the acrid smell of Saturday’s defeat against Juventus still in the air, which was the mirror of many things that have been said for too long,” he began.
“Sergio Conceiçao made the synthesis of many thoughts when he spoke openly about the great difference between Juventus’ substitutes and those of Milan. End of broadcasts, a resounding and undeniable blow to the real overall quality of the squad at his disposal.
“Because the continuous search for objectives at a price tag that is always and in any case lower than certain figures (25 million) leads you to constant coin tosses. If you’re lucky, you get Reijnders and Fofana, but on the other hand, you risk having second lines of modest caliber that, consequently, lower the overall level of the team.
“It’s good to be careful, but now the pitch is presenting the bill. A change of mentality is needed on the management of the team and its construction. Because an incomplete team (for years) can risk not going to the Champions League and then there you have to run for cover trying to create budget coverage that allows you to limit the damage and not sell your big names.
“The reality of the facts tells us that Milan must conduct, already now, a much more summer-like than winter-like mercato. Investments are needed on strong players, you need to be aggressive on the objectives and not be held back too much by the salary structure of certain players.
“At a time like this and with a sterile attack made by a second striker (Morata), the former third striker of Roma (Abraham), the potentially strongest Italian centre-forward of the next 15 years (Camarda) and a foreign body (Jovic), a move is needed up front.
“Joao Felix doesn’t solve your goal problem, throwing Dusan Vlahovic, who has ended up on the margins of the Juventus kingdom, on the table of discussions with Juventus, now that could be interesting. Or go knocking on Napoli’s door and presenting yourself as the solver of the Osimhen problem.
“As you say, both earn tons of money in salary? It’s all true, but real strikers cost money. Even Santiago Gimenez of Feyenoord costs money and this physiological and technical need of the team cannot be postponed any longer.
“Just as it is clear that a midfielder is needed who can help Fofana take a break: the Frenchman, even against Juventus, arrived exhausted. And in the summer, other huge investments would be needed, also on Italian players to tidy up the lists given that Musah, if he stays, would enter the over [22 years of age] category in Serie A.
“Walker arrives regardless of Tomori, who at the moment does not want to go to Juventus and Conceiçao also does not want him to leave. For the Manchester City player, who yesterday was not in Guardiola’s squad list for the match against Ipswich, today should be the day of the conclusion with Milan who will send City the proposal for a paid loan (1 million) with an option to buy set at five.
“But will Walker arrive as a right-back, thus definitively rejecting Emerson Royal, or as a potential centre-back? Because even in the middle of the defence the numbers are short.
“Conceiçao is the least guilty of what was seen against Cagliari and Juventus, but he is the one who is always putting his face out there, saying things in a clear, sharp and non-confutable way. The hope is that the club gives him what he asked for and that it supports him in everything, even in a hypothetical summer revolution.”
