There are different things that can happen to defending champions on their ensuing campaign. Sometimes teams are stripped bare as star players pursue bigger dreams while leaving behind big holes. Some just run it back with the same guys. Other teams feel the need to move forward so they reinforce, maybe replace a few starters and try and improve. There’s no for sure way to go about it. Every team is different. There’s no recipe that assures a repeat title.
In Milan’s case, we’ve chosen to run it back. The only starter we lost was Kessie. The only other contributor of sorts was Romagnoli but by the end of the season he was on the bench. The only reinforcements brought in were meant to compete for spots, but none were meant to start right away. Otherwise it’s almost exactly the same group. Of the 11 guys that started down the stretch for us last season, 10 are back. Even the first few names off the bench like Krunic and Messias return. Same keepers. Same coach. What could possibly go wrong?
It’s simple. Ratings based on whether a a player is trending up, leveled off, trending down or falling off a cliff. This list only includes returning players.
Incomplete
GABBIA, BALLO-TOURE, FLORENZI and BAKAYOKO have hardly played this season. It would be unfair to say anyone of them have really gotten worse. Florenzi has been injured and is just coming back. I believe he has something to offer. The other 3 do not and will most likely be out the door this summer.
FELL OFF A CLIFF
CALABRIA Down the stretch last year he was fantastic. He finished the year with 25 starts and 0 losses. By far the best year of his career. This year he’s been so bad Pioli erased his position by changing formations. Goals were pouring in at his undefended back post. Crosses were launched past him again and again. Saelemaekers could no longer make up for his ineptitude. His deficiencies quite literally mean we don’t employ a RB any longer. I honestly can’t think of another player in any sport that was so bad the team changed formation/philosophies to exclude a player. For a minute I think I forgot he was even on the team. Hard to say what the future holds but I don’t think it will be at Milan.
KJÆR This isn’t so much of a downgrade in ability or talent but just one injury too many. When he got here he was already a half step slower but made up for it in veteran smarts and positioning. now that half step appears to be a full step. I say ‘appears’ because sometimes an ACL takes a full 2 years to completely come back from. There may yet be another chapter from Kjaer but it won’t be as a starter. Late game sub? Maybe an option if we go to a back 4 from time to time?
REBIC 5 goals in 2 years. More cards than goals this season. Not really an option to start anymore. Only use really is a very late sub when you need a bruiser on the field. That’s certainly not worth 4 million a year. Basically just taking up a space on the roster and a pretty large payroll slot to boot. No thanks.
TRENDING DOWN
TOMORI This might seem tough but it’s deserved. He’s been so scattered and undisciplined it’s hard to remember how controlled he was last year. It’s like he’s chasing ghosts he’s so out of position. Also his emotions have gotten the better of him. Far too often he cuts the figure of pouting child as opposed to disciplined defender. He needs to find his style of leadership and soon. That’s code for ‘grow up’.
TONALI No one was more clutch last season. He didn’t score or assist in bunches but when he did it was always huge. Like Tomori it feels too often he’s trying to do everything. His eagerness to try and do it all means he’s forgotten his role. He’s everywhere and nowhere. I can’t remember the last MOTM level performance he’s had. No one on the team misses Kessie’s impact more than him.
BENNACER He and Tonali have combined for 3 goals and 6 assists. Pobega is actually tied for the lead in the midfield with 2 goals and I can’t remember his last decent appearance. We haven’t produced so little in the midfield since the heady Banter era days of Montolivo and Biglia. It would be one thing if the defense was stellar but that’s certainly not the case. They are failing to protect the back and offering nothing going forward. That’s a problem.
AC MILAN FACT OF THE DAY
Milan’s midfield produced 14 goals in 48 games last season: Kessie 7, Tonali 5, Bennacer 2
This year in 37 games Milan’s midfield only have 6: Pobega 2, Tonali 2, Bennacer 1, Krunic 1.
LEÃO The kid produced 9 goals and 9 assists in his first 22 games this year. That’s almost one of either per game. Since then he has 0 goals and just 1 assist in his last 13 games. Don’t tell me it’s all the formation. His game has changed and not for the better. The take on artist that dominated the league last year has been replaced by a confused mess. Now he’s repeatedly cutting into traffic and giving up possession. He desperately needs a break. That should have been HIS PK on Saturday. He needed it far more than Zlatan.
SAELEMAEKERS The fun defensive guy was great. Now we need more than that and we’re just not getting it. Even just 5 goals would be HUGE for this attack starved group. He’s gonna be a nice role player for a long time but right now we need more. We need a starter at RWB that can provide some kind of threat. He ain’t it.
ZLATAN His day is done. His greedy ass should have left that PK for Leao over the weekend. Dumb. Thank god he’s not on the CL squad. Last thing we need is some silly curtain call when we need goals.
LEVELED OFF
MAIGNAN I’m not saying a single bad word about the best keeper on the planet.
TATARUSANU Criticize him all you want, but we maintained our position in the table AND concluded advancing through the CL group stage with him in net. Nuff said. To assume that would happen with just any backup keeper is insane. There are a lot of bums out there that would have killed us.
KALULU This was the toughest call. Through January I would have said he had fallen off since last year. The last 6 weeks he’s really stepped up. He was dominant over the 2 legs against Spurs. This is the guy we saw toward the end of last year. At this rate he might be our most improved player by the end of the season. I can’t even imagine what another club might offer for him in the summer.
THEO/GIROUD I lumped these 2 together because they have had a similar arc this season. Solid as a rock. Had a slight blip after the WC due to France’s long run but was back on point within a few weeks. Both have put in huge minutes this year and have been our 2 most consistent players.
KRUNIC Didn’t play much early due to injuries. Since being a regular our man King Krunic just does Krunic things. He’s this team’s Ambrosini. Never flashy. Does the dirty work. Doesn’t complain. Neither will I.
MESSIAS I was THIS CLOSE to putting him at trending up. He’s scored a few very timely goals of late and has surprisingly fit in well at the RWB spot. His defense is average, which is fine considering he at least provides an offensive threat. He is exactly what we thought he was and considering the amount of underperforming players we have this term that has turned out to be a plus.
TRENDING UP
DIAZ His improvement is all about perspective. The goals and assists this year (5, 2) are pretty similar to last year (4, 4). His hold up play is better but he still struggles in distribution. Honestly, 2 assists playing alongside Leao and Giroud? His defense is certainly much better. The 343 has helped with that I believe. It’s also helped him remain the starter. It’s also helped that no one has stepped up to compete for time in that spot. Backhanded compliment? Maybe. Is he really any better? Has he blown away the competition to earn that spot? I’ll leave that up to you to decide.
Agree? Disagree? Feel free to chime in below.
FORZA MILAN
Lisi