AC Milan secured a narrow victory over Red Star Belgrade on Wednesday, but their performance left much to be desired. Despite the much-needed improvement following their recent defeat to Atalanta, the Rossoneri struggled to impress, ultimately clinching the win late in the match. The general display lacked the intensity and cohesion expected from a team aiming for a spot among the top eight in the Champions League.
This underwhelming performance was far from a one-off, as Milan has often left their supporters disappointed even against weaker opponents. A notable example is their previous game against Slovan Bratislava, where they managed to secure the three points, but the match was far from convincing. The team’s inconsistency has raised concerns among both fans and analysts alike.
Following the match, head coach Paulo Fonseca expressed his frustration with the team’s lack of urgency and quality, marking his second consecutive candid press conference in which he openly critiqued his players. His comments resonated with the Milan squad, with defender Malick Thiaw sharing similar sentiments. Speaking to Sky, Thiaw acknowledged the team’s struggles, emphasizing that they played poorly both with and without the ball. He admitted that Milan lacked aggression, leaving Red Star Belgrade with opportunities to capitalize on, which they did not fully exploit.
Thiaw echoed Fonseca’s concerns about the team’s erratic performances, stating, “One day we do well, the second day… pfff… I don’t know.” This uncertainty reflects the wider issue Milan are facing — the inability to maintain a high level of performance consistently. For a team with aspirations of competing at the highest level, such displays are unacceptable, and both Thiaw and Fonseca are hoping for a significant turnaround in the coming weeks.
