Former Milan star Massimo Ambrosini outlines January reinforcements, where Ruben Loftus-Cheek must improve and why Stefano Pioli should remain. ‘There is too much negativity.’
The Rossoneri have dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third in their group and are struggling to hold on to third place in Serie A with mounting pressure on the coach after a remarkable series of muscular injuries.
“It is a team without consistency,” Ambrosini told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“They have a fairly precise idea of football, but rarely managed to put it into practice. It is not easy to really grasp what the issue is, Milan are something of a strange animal.”
Nonetheless, he feels that the calls for Pioli to be sacked are over the top in the circumstances and counter-productive.
“I am surprised at the amount of negativity around Milan, to see how much people have become disaffected. All things considered, last season was good. The real shock is how everyone reacted to difficulties after winning the Scudetto.
“Looking at the table, Milan are basically on track with their minimum objectives. I don’t think we have reached the point of no return with the coach.”
Another element is the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic as a Senior Advisor to owner Gerry Cardinale, seen by many as an extra shadow hovering over Pioli and mining his authority.
“In theory, he fills the gap left by the departure of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, but it seems as if Zlatan has been given a role that goes beyond that,” added Ambrosini.
“The players need to take responsibility too. It is fairly obvious the problem here is a motivational one and that comes from the coach, club and environment around them, but the players must do more as well. They have to show more soul, more conviction and more consistency.”
Injuries have decimated the squad, though Ambrosini identifies more than just the lack of available defenders.
“Ismael Bennacer fixes the midfield, but with him going to the Africa Cup of Nations, they need to sign another midfielder, especially as Tijjani Reijnders has different characteristics. Luka Jovic has shown some signs of life, but they could still do with another striker to support Olivier Giroud. You really cannot ask Giroud for more.
“Yacine Adli is a good player, but he doesn’t make much of a difference there. Loftus-Cheek has got to raise the bar, because someone with his physique and quality cannot give so little. When the strikers aren’t scoring, the midfielders need to get into the box.”
Despite all the issues and difficulties, Ambrosini remains confident Milan can go all the way and win the Europa League this season after dropping down from the Champions League.