French midfielder Adrien Rabiot has opened a significant chapter of reflection within the Rossoneri locker room, indicating a worrying trend for coach Allegri.
Milan’s recent defeat to Udinese is having a substantial impact on the team’s environment. The squad is shaken by a mini-crisis, having suffered three losses in their last four matches (against Udinese, Napoli, and Lazio), punctuated only by a hard-fought victory against Torino.
The whistles directed at Rafael Leão serve as a thermometer for the public and fans’ reaction to this negative period. However, beyond Leão’s role and performance, another, more serious alarm bell has been sounded by one of the locker room’s senior figures, Adrien Rabiot. In the post-match analysis, the former Juventus and Marseille player highlighted that the group has lost a fundamental element crucial for a challenging season ahead: the desire to help each other on the field.
RABIOT’S WORDS
Speaking to Sportmediaset after the 3-0 loss to Udinese, a match where he himself did not shine, Rabiot first offered a mea culpa, then defended Leão from the crowd’s boos, and finally sounded the alarm regarding the team’s current mindset during matches.
“I am angry because I personally could have done much better. I know the team follows me, and if I give a little more, it’s better for the team. Speaking about myself, because I am very honest and clear-headed, I can say I could have done better. As a team, we could have also done much better, like we were before: more united. We have lost this on the field: the desire to work for the teammate, to come back together, and to battle together. This is what we need to regain; it’s what has served us well so far.”
THE FORMATION IS NOT THE ISSUE
Rabiot himself confirmed that the problem isn’t the formation, nor the switch from a more rigid 3-5-2 to a 4-3-3. “It’s not the formation, but the players’ desire, our desire on the field: to show determination, to chase the opponent, to do things correctly.”
A SERIOUS PROBLEM
Therefore, the issue is not technical-tactical but one of attitude and team cohesion. This is something far more difficult to address, making it much more serious for Massimiliano Allegri, as it’s not something he can influence with a substitution or a tactical choice. Rabiot spoke of a mental ‘switch’ that needs to be made, as much is at stake not only for the present but also for the club’s future. Milan has unexpectedly found itself embroiled in a battle for a Champions League spot, a scenario that was not anticipated, and one where they will need to fight with every possible weapon.
THE CALENDAR DOESN’T HELP
The upcoming schedule for Milan until the end of the season will not be forgiving. In the next match, they face a Verona fighting for survival. More significantly, in two rounds, on Sunday, April 26th, at 8:45 PM, they will host Juventus at San Siro in a crucial direct confrontation for a Champions League place, a match they could have approached with a much larger advantage.
The alarm has been sounded, and Allegri will need to draw upon all his experience as a manager to unite the group and ensure the team finishes the season strongly. They cannot afford to miss out on bringing the Rossoneri back into the Champions League.
MILAN’S SCHEDULE UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON
Verona vs. Milan
Milan vs. Juventus
Sassuolo vs. Milan
Milan vs. Atalanta
Genoa vs. Milan
Milan vs. Cagliari
