Yesterday’s match against Chelsea put Milan under serious pressure, as all of the team’s problems were laid bare — problems that Ruben Amorim must now solve.
Milan: poor defensive phase and no pressing against Chelsea
This is what Gazzetta.it reported, going on to list five areas that the Portuguese coach must address, starting with the pressing. Compared with last season, the Rossoneri are playing higher up the pitch and trying to put more pressure on their opponents, but against the Blues, that high press was virtually nowhere to be seen.
The defensive phase, with a deeper defensive line than in the first two outings, was reminiscent of last May or even the Milan sides coached by Fonseca and Conceicao: too many goals and chances conceded. The responsibility? In almost every case, it came down to the players on the pitch, with individual mistakes, lapses in concentration and incorrect defensive movements.
The attack falters, the wing-backs get everything wrong, the attitude...
The Italian newspaper then turns its attention to the attacking phase. Over the course of the 90 minutes, Milan failed to register a single shot on target and, in general, Camarda first and Ramos later were barely involved. The attacking midfielders had more space, but they never managed to create any real danger.
There were also only problems out wide, despite the fact that the wing-backs are essential to Amorim’s system. Estupinan showed that he may not be suited to the role, while Chukwueze is struggling with the demands of his positional switch. Athekame did not feature, Bartesaghi does not appear to have the necessary pace, and Saelemaekers came on with the wrong attitude, as relayed via Milan Press.
And that poor attitude is the final issue highlighted by Gazzetta: the team barely looked like trying to turn things around and, when called upon to react, it failed to do so.
