GdS: Chelsea star among Milan’s five problems to solve

epa11899222 AC Milan’s Joao Felix gestures during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC in Milan, Italy, 15 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ROBERTO BREGANI

Less than two months into his tenure, Milan head coach Sergio Conceição has likely realised that his predecessor, Paulo Fonseca, was dismissed due to problems that extended beyond his management.

Despite an unexpected Supercoppa Italiana triumph, Milan’s persistent issues remain evident, resurfacing in the weeks that followed.

The expensive winter transfer market has also added to Conceição’s challenges, as some reinforcements have yet to make an impact.

In the wake of a painful 2-1 defeat against Bologna, which left the Diavolo eighth in Serie A and eight points behind the last Champions League spot available, La Gazzetta dello Sport listed five key problems that Conceiçao needs to solve if he wants to finish the season on a positive note.

GdS lists five key problems Milan need to solve

The pink newspaper remarked that the Rossoneri are still subject to concentration lapses, which keep undermining matches against opponents that they seem able to tame. These moments of lost focus lead to costly errors and missed opportunities, making consistency a pressing concern.

João Félix, one of Milan’s marquee winter signings, quickly secured a starting spot, but his performances have failed to match expectations.

After a promising debut goal against Roma in the Coppa Italia, the Chelsea loanee has faded, as evidenced by his mere eight passes and zero shots on target against Bologna. His struggles mirror the team’s broader attacking inefficiency—while Milan possesses individual talent, they rely too much on isolated moments rather than structured creativity to break down defenses.

Defensively, Conceição’s preference for Strahinja Pavlović and Malick Thiaw at center-back has raised concerns, as recent games have exposed gaps and miscommunication. This also calls into question the lack of playing time for Matteo Gabbia, who had climbed the pecking order under Fonseca.

Lastly, the club’s internal disarray is affecting its stability. Zlatan Ibrahimović remains Milan’s most visible figure despite only being an advisor, while CEO Giorgio Furlani and technical director Geoffrey Moncada have overlapping roles, creating uncertainty in decision-making.

Addressing these issues will be crucial if the Rossoneri are to regain its footing and compete at the highest level.