The win over Torino came after 75 good minutes and 15 minutes in which the team faded. Against Venezia, Milan picked up three points despite missing a host of chances and conceding a few opportunities. Against Juventus, it was a 1-1 draw after conceding an equaliser in the 92nd minute, in a flat performance. Against Lazio, it was a 2-2 draw in the most classic example of “a game of two halves”.
Against Benfica, it was a match in which both teams rotated their squads. One side handled it better and was also more clinical, and that team was not Milan.
The Amorim situation
Quite apart from the obvious fact that Ruben Amorim got all five starting line-ups wrong, what has developed in the 48 hours following his first defeat as Milan coach has objectively been an exaggeration, however you look at it.
A plethora of journalists are chasing rumours suggesting that the Portuguese coach is edging closer to dismissal, with an ultimatum effectively already set for Sunday evening against Lecce at San Siro. Three points or his Milan adventure will be completely compromised.
It is objectively a rather unusual treatment, the kind more often directed at foreign managers, particularly when they work for a club that is not particularly proactive in protecting its assets. Unfortunately, Milan once again fits that description.
The potential difficulties
If playing at San Siro was already difficult, especially for certain players, it will now be even more so. The grumbling from the stands, combined with the scepticism surrounding the club that was already present during the summer, fits perfectly with the heavy criticism coming from various newspapers and broadcasters.
Unfortunately, the truth is that both inside and outside the club, few people are doing what is best for Milan. Amorim's work can certainly be improved, and that is plain for everyone to see. However, constantly allowing negativity to emerge only creates more negativity in turn. It is a dangerous vicious circle that the Rossoneri have been trapped in for four years now.
