Former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi believes the Rossoneri are not organised tactically and their lack of pressing ‘brings the undertaker into the house.’
The Rossoneri sit second in the Serie A table ahead of an away match at Napoli on Sunday but lost the last two games across all competitions against Juventus and PSG. Pressure is mounting on Milan coach Pioli especially because the Rossoneri sit at rock bottom of their Champions League group and haven’t scored in the last five European matches.
“When Milan don’t play collectively when they are not a team, they lose,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“This has happened a few times lately. I think about defeats against Juventus and PSG, but also the one against Inter. Something must be corrected.
“The coach is always responsible and Pioli is aware of that,” continued the ex-Italy and Milan tactician.
“The point is that he must clarify what he wants to do. He must clearly explain how players are supposed to stay on the pitch and how they must move. Milan must be a block, not longer than 30 meters. They can achieve this only if different departments collaborate.”
Sacchi continued by analysing the Rossoneri’s shortcomings in each position.
“Defenders are not coordinated. Against Juventus, there was nobody to cover Malick Thiaw when he was sent off.
“Franco Baresi is still at the club, so they should ask him what to do in similar circumstances. Distances are crucial too and are not being respected. Pioli must work on this. Defenders must defend and be in the correct positions.
“There are many new players in midfield and they don’t move in sync. Milan have changed many players and they are all foreigners. We know in these cases, it takes time to settle in. Plus they are dealing with a few injuries, especially Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Patience is needed, but in the meantime, players need clear and simple rules, so nobody gets confused.”
The 77-year-old believes lack of pressing is also a problem for the Serie A giants.
“It’s not enough and it’s not fine because, like this, you bring the undertaker into the house,” he said.
“You let the opponents advance, so you must defend into your own half. When you do so against players like Kylian Mbappé it’s easy to struggle. But when pressing is made efficiently, it’s the natural consequence of a coordinated team that does not leave space for the opponents. Milan used to press when they won the title, they were focused and intense. I’d like to see the same principles again.”
Sacchi has often been critical of Rafael Leao but sees more problems in Milan’s attack.
“The first thing I notice about strikers is that they don’t help defensively, neither Giroud nor Leao do it,” he said.
“Like this, there is no collaboration and no intensity. Moreover, there can be no pressing because the team is reduced to seven or eight players rather than 11.”
Lastly, Sacchi commented on Davide Calabria’s interview after a 3-0 loss to PSG on Wednesday. The Italian defender appeared to question Milan’s mentality and tactics, but it has emerged that he then cleared the air with coach Pioli.
“It was bad because he left a feeling of confusion,” argued Sacchi.
“Moreover, I thought he proved a lack of respect for the coach. However, this makes you understand that it’s not all perfect, so something must be done to avoid making the situation more complicated. Pioli has a tough task, we must admit it, but he has the moral and technical qualities to make it.