Il Corriere dello Sport published in today's print edition that AC Milan is too vulnerable. Pioli is looking for a shield. In 22 games, they have conceded a total of 25 goals. This is a limit in this season that the absences of Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu, and Malick Thiaw cannot justify.
Against Bologna, two more goals were conceded, just like in the previous match against Udinese, but it has been a constant throughout the season.
Errors of all kinds have led the Rossoneri to exit the Champions League and the Coppa Italia, and now they are slowing down in Serie A. Out of 28 season games, including cup competitions, Milan has suffered two or more goals in the same match 10 times. Besides the absences, as mentioned, the entire defensive phase is flawed in general, and this can be attributed to the playing style imposed by Stefano Pioli.
The Stefano Pioli team often leans forward in the offensive phase, bringing several players close to the opponent's area, but in the case of a counterattack, the defenders have little protection from the midfield.
The Milan coach himself admitted after the recent 2-2 draw against Bologna that something needs to be corrected because the team is dropping points on the road. Especially when, in addition to conceding two goals, they also miss two penalties, the mission becomes even more complex. It is possible that no further reinforcements will arrive in defense from the transfer market, unless there are significant last-minute opportunities.
So, at Milanello, the countdown is on for the return of the regular starters. The first to return should be the German Malick Thiaw, who should be back on the field within a month. The second, on the other hand, could be Tomori, who had a great season until the injury.
The third, according to predictions, will be Pierre Kalulu. But beyond the return of the defenders, Pioli will have to find a way to be less susceptible to the opponent's initiatives, with a defensive phase that leaves less space and is more compact, especially when defending a lead.
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