AC Milan in Crisis: Team Retreat Ordered After Atalanta Defeat, Champions League Hopes Dwindle
MILAN, May 10 – AC Milan is experiencing a highly challenging period in their season after suffering a 3-2 defeat at San Siro against Atalanta. This loss has severely jeopardized their chances of securing a Champions League spot for the upcoming season, with Roma now level on points at 67.
The atmosphere at San Siro was charged with heavy protests directed at the club’s management, particularly CEO Giorgio Furlani. The team also faced a barrage of whistles following their loss to ‘La Dea,’ with the Curva Sud leaving the stadium midway through the second half when the score was 3-0.
Allegri: “We Must Focus on Genoa”
Despite a late surge that saw Milan narrow the deficit to 3-2 and even create a chance to equalize through Gabbia, coach Massimiliano Allegri analyzed the situation for Dazn.
“We cannot change what has happened,” Allegri began. “We just need to have a good week of work and think about Genoa, which will be decisive. We started well tonight, then after 10 minutes, we conceded a goal and became disorganized. After going 3-0 down, we had a good reaction; paradoxically, it’s good news that we started scoring again. Now we have another difficult match against Genoa, but we cannot dwell on what happened because we cannot change it.”
“It’s normal that no one would have expected this difficult moment. It must be faced with a sense of responsibility; now we just need to act. Thinking and talking are useless. We have an important upcoming match, and we need to prepare well with enthusiasm.”
Regarding Leao, who was among the worst performers of the evening, Allegri added, “It’s not a problem for Leao, Nkunku, Fullkrug, Maignan, or Gabbia. Leao had a favorable situation tonight, as he did in Parma; he is an important player, and he will be suspended on Sunday.”
When asked about the simultaneous scheduling of matches for Champions League qualification, Allegri stated, “It’s not feasible because we don’t decide; now I don’t know if the last two will be simultaneous; they will let us know. We have to win two games; let’s think about the first one. There’s nothing to reproach the boys for.” He concluded, “When results are missing, I am responsible because I am in charge of a group of lads who have always given their best. But now, let’s not look for culprits; we must achieve a victory on Sunday, which will not be easy. On the Champions League, I have always said that it was not a sure thing because we had never faced difficulties until now; now we are in it, and we must get out of it.”
Tare: “Team Retreat Before Genoa Match”
The Rossoneri sporting director also spoke to Dazn, stating, “In the last few games, attention has been lacking. We all need to take responsibility; the fans deserve a different team. Our destiny is always in our hands. Let’s take the last half hour; we need to analyze everything that has happened in the last 6-7 weeks, and we must achieve the Champions League objective, which is too important.”
Regarding his position at the club and future with Milan, Tare commented, “Honestly, I haven’t received any signals from the club. I only focus on work because if we achieve the goal, we have done a great job. Then, in this profession, there are speculations and pressures from outside, but you have to know how to manage them. We must remain focused on our goal.”
On the San Siro protests, Tare said, “The fans have the right to protest; their opinion is fundamental. At this moment, I see a mental problem; the team is not serene. Also, the fact that since we left the fight for first place and the gap we had from the others has taken something away from us. A cool head is fundamental, and we must accept the criticisms, which are fair, but we must react in these two games and achieve the goal.”
Tare concluded, “We also analyzed the trend with the coach; we spoke in front of the group, saying that everything around us must lead us to be even more concentrated. The reaction in the locker room today was the right one; on Sunday, we have a match point, and perhaps we should go into a retreat together a few days earlier.”
Palladino Praises Atalanta’s Performance
Raffaele Palladino, Atalanta’s coach, expressed his gratitude to his players for their outstanding performance. “I have to thank the boys for the great performance. They defended and attacked as a team; we conceded nothing in the first half. I want to thank them publicly for the response from a great group. This week has been a bit particular, but they responded on the field. They deservedly came to San Siro to win; we wanted to close it earlier, suffering is part of it, but it’s great to win like this.”
Palladino, who had announced before the match that he would leave ‘La Dea’ at the end of the season, was visibly moved when Carnesecchi dedicated the victory to him. “I’m a bit emotional hearing these things. A great synergy and magic have been created since the first day I arrived. It was a demotivated team because results were not coming. We finished seventh and went ahead in the Champions League, exiting the Coppa Italia semi-finals on penalties. They showed their worth. I think about the good of Atalanta and the Atalanta fans. I gave everything for this jersey, for these players, and for these fans. I hope to be appreciated by them and by the club for what I have done. I work day and night for this team.”
He concluded by praising Krstovic: “An attacker everyone would want, he has an impressive hunger. Exemplary from this point of view, he wants to improve, and I give him credit for that. He worked silently. An important player who has proven to be a great striker.”
Source: tuttosport.com
