The highly anticipated return of Massimiliano Allegri to the AC Milan dugout was meant to usher in a new era of stability and ambition. Instead, the opening weekend of Serie A delivered a stark reminder of familiar challenges, as the Rossoneri succumbed to a surprising home defeat against newly promoted Cremonese.
A Rocky Start for the Rossoneri
After a year away from the touchline, Allegri`s return to San Siro, a stadium where he once enjoyed significant success, quickly turned into a sobering experience. The 2-0 loss was not merely a setback; it felt like an uncomfortable continuation of the previous season`s struggles, characterized by a distinct lack of defensive solidity and an inability to assert dominance against ostensibly weaker, defensively organized opponents.
Post-match, Allegri, a figure often noted for his pragmatic assessments, didn`t shy away from highlighting the glaring deficiencies. He lamented, “You cannot concede two goals like that,” a statement that underlines both frustration and a clear identification of systemic issues. His emphasis on “the ferocity with which you attack and especially with which you defend” points to a fundamental deficit in competitive spirit, a perceived softness that cost Milan dearly.
The Elusive “Perception of Danger”
Perhaps the most poignant, and for some, ironically familiar, observation from the coach was his remark regarding the team`s inability to “perceive danger.” This phrase, which has echoed through various stages of his managerial career, suggests a deep-seated issue within the squad`s collective awareness and defensive intelligence. Allegri elaborated on instances where numerical superiority in the penalty area still didn`t prevent opponents from scoring, highlighting individual lapses as symptoms of a broader collective blindness to impending threats.
“We must improve in perceiving danger, because we don`t perceive it: in the area, five against three, the opponent cannot jump alone.” — Massimiliano Allegri.
While Allegri acknowledged his own responsibility for the collective aspects, he also candidly pointed to individual errors that directly led to goals and missed opportunities. Misplaced passes, poor clearances, and errant shots on goal painted a picture of a team struggling with basic execution under pressure. This blend of tactical shortcomings and individual missteps creates a potent cocktail of underperformance.
The Call for “Dirty Matches”
In a league like Serie A, where tactical astuteness and defensive resilience are often paramount, Allegri`s call for his team to be prepared for “dirty matches” resonates deeply. He stressed that a relentless pursuit of aesthetically pleasing football without the underlying grit and pragmatism will not suffice. “If we play all `clean` we don`t give solidity,” he stated, advocating for a more robust and less glamorous approach when the situation demands it. This isn`t just about winning tackles; it`s about a mentality shift, an embrace of the less refined, yet often decisive, aspects of football.
Looking Ahead: A Season of Reassessment
The defeat, particularly at home against a promoted side, has understandably sparked concern among fans and pundits. With no European commitments this season, many viewed the campaign as a prime opportunity for Milan to fully focus on domestic glory. However, the initial performance suggests that the path will be far from straightforward.
Allegri maintains that it is too early to make definitive judgments on the squad`s quality, emphasizing the time available for improvement. Yet, the murmurs from the fanbase are less patient. Many perceive a squad lacking the caliber required for top-tier success, a sentiment exacerbated by a performance that felt more akin to a mid-table struggle than a title contender`s season opener.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Allegri and AC Milan. The task is not merely to correct tactical errors or improve individual form, but to instill a collective “perception of danger” and cultivate the “malice” required to navigate the rigors of Italian football. It`s a journey that demands not just skill, but an unyielding will to fight for every inch on the pitch, even when the game gets “dirty.” The honeymoon period is over before it truly began; now, the real work begins.
Murray Blackwood