Milan’s Struggles Continue: Pioli Under Threat

As Milan endured yet another defeat over the weekend, coach Stefano Pioli finds himself teetering on the edge of losing his job. The team’s recent loss to Newcastle in the Champions League has only intensified speculation surrounding his potential departure from a club that he led to great success.

This season was supposed to be different for Milan. With significant investments made during the summer transfer window, bringing in ten new players, expectations were high. Yet here they are, already out of Europe and trailing nine points behind Inter at third place in Serie A.

Their lack of consistency is glaringly evident – struggling to score in the Champions League while conceding too many goals defensively. It’s no wonder that questions are being raised about Pioli’s leadership and whether it is time for a change.

A Distant Memory:

It feels like not long ago when chants of “Pioli’s on fire” echoed through San Siro Stadium as Milan celebrated their unexpected Scudetto triumph in 2022 against fierce rivals Inter. At that time, nobody could have predicted this rapid decline.

Beyond Expectations:

Milan exceeded all expectations with their early success under Pioli. However, maintaining such brilliance proved challenging. The Rossoneri encountered numerous difficulties last season after participating in European competitions post-World Cup. Their limitations became apparent, struggling to perform at their best across all competitions. The team appeared imbalanced, unable to construct effective attacking plays.

It’s worth noting that the club’s transfer strategy lacked proper analysis and planning. While bringing in ten new players may have seemed ambitious on the surface, it failed to address Milan’s most pressing issues.

The Missing Pieces:

One striking example is the absence of a quality alternative for left-back Theo Hernandez. Additionally, their midfield lacks a conductor who can control and dictate play. Furthermore, many of the new signings were not considered fully developed players yet. While patience is required considering Serie A finances, Pioli needs time to nurture these talents and build a cohesive playing style that will yield better performances.

A Desperate Gamble:

The signing of Luka Jovic on deadline day with only a one-year contract suggests desperation rather than strategic planning. Unfortunately for Milan, Jovic has failed to impress since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt.

Pioli Hanging by Thread:

With each defeat against their city rivals Inter this year, it becomes clearer that Pioli has reached his limits as Milan coach. There seems to be no learning from past mistakes – whether it’s employing an ineffective high press or failing to introduce innovative attacking patterns into the game.