The Reality of Milan’s Early Champions League Exit
AC Milan’s draw with Feyenoord on Tuesday night has brought the club’s Champions League campaign to an untimely and disappointing end. This season, the Rossoneri have been in desperate need of a lifeline, and European football was seen as the most viable option for redemption. However, the high stakes and intense pressure surrounding the competition proved to be more of a hindrance than a help for the team. The fallout from this early exit has seen fingers being pointed in all directions, with varying degrees of blame assigned to different individuals within the club. While Theo Hernandez’s red card has been a primary target, Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the head coach, Joao Conceicao, is equally culpable for the team’s failure.
Tactical Mistakes Post-Hernandez’s Sending Off
While the tactical approach taken by Milan before Theo Hernandez’s red card could be considered ‘perfect’, the decisions made by Joao Conceicao afterward are under scrutiny. The substitution of Christian Pulisic and Santiago Gimenez for Davide Bartesaghi and Youssouf Fofana, respectively, have been widely criticized. Pulisic, known for his energy and ability to push forward, could have provided a necessary spark in the attack. Gimenez, with his defensive prowess, would have been a more logical choice to replace Hernandez, a key defender, rather than Felix, who was already on the pitch and appeared to be running out of steam. Conceicao has admitted that these substitutions were his own mistakes, and the consequences of these decisions were felt throughout the remainder of the game.
Joao Felix’s Positioning and Usage
One of the most debated topics following the game is the positioning and usage of Joao Felix. The Portuguese forward, often seen as untouchable due to his talent and potential, was criticized for his lack of impact. Some argue that Felix was not in the right position to be effective and that the coach’s decision to keep him on the pitch even when he seemed to have ‘nothing left’ was a significant oversight. Fitting Felix into the team’s strategy has been a challenge all season, and this game only highlighted those issues. While Conceicao has defended Felix’s role, the question remains whether the player’s untouchable status has led to suboptimal decisions during critical moments of the match.
The Need for Gimenez’s Experience
Santiago Gimenez, a defender known for his experience and reliability, was another player whose absence was felt keenly. Many believe that Gimenez would have been a better fit for the game, especially after Hernandez’s dismissal, which left Milan shorthanded defensively. Instead, Conceicao opted to keep Felix on the pitch, despite his apparent fatigue. This decision has fueled more criticism, as it suggests a lack of adaptability and an overreliance on the team’s attacking players. Conceicao’s explanation that other defensive solutions were not tested in a game situation does little to alleviate the concerns of the fans and analysts.
Mental Toughness and Squad Dynamics
Beyond the tactical and substitution decisions, Conceicao has also admitted that the mental problems within the squad remain unresolved. This is a critical issue that goes beyond the technical aspects of the game. A team’s mental resilience and confidence can often make the difference between a successful campaign and an early exit. Milan’s inability to maintain composure and fight back after Hernandez’s red card is a clear indication of the mental challenges the team faces. Conceicao acknowledges that this is a problem he needs to address personally, but the question remains: how long can the club afford to wait for him to get the squad back on track?
The Future and the Coach’s Accountability
Defending the squad and taking responsibility for his decisions is admirable, but it also raises the question of how many more mistakes can be tolerated before Conceicao himself is under serious scrutiny. Early exits from European competitions are not only a blow to the team’s morale but also have financial and reputational ramifications for the club. The pressure on Milan to perform in the Champions League is immense, and the coach’s ability to manage both the tactical and psychological aspects of the game will be crucial moving forward. Conceicao has a lot of work to do to rebuild the team’s confidence and ensure that they are better prepared for future challenges, both in Europe and domestically.
