AC MILAN BOSS Gennaro Gattuso slammed his side’s lack of spirit while sporting director Massimo Mirabelli was left “ashamed” by the shock 1-0 home loss to bottom-placed Benevento.
Pietro Iemmello’s calm first-half strike condemned Milan to a sixth successive Serie A match without a win, a run that leaves them vulnerable in sixth and at risk of missing out on a Europa League qualifying spot.
Benevento had substitute Cheick Diabate sent off for a second yellow in the 80th minute, but the rank outsiders held firm to secure their first top-flight away victory in a result that mirrored the teams’ 2-2 draw in December, which marked Gattuso’s maiden match in charge of Milan.
And while the club’s former midfielder enjoyed an upturn in results at the turn of the year, he has now questioned his squad’s character and desire.
“It’s clear to see the team is on a downward spiral. When you play without soul you get embarrassed like this,” Gattuso told Mediaset Premium.
“It doesn’t matter if we play with two, three or four strikers, because we don’t have the psychological strength to do anything. We basically tickle the opposition, we don’t hurt them.
“We have to apologise to the fans because we wear a prestigious jersey and we can’t have embarrassing nights like this.”
Mirabelli echoed Gattuso’s anger over a result which could see Milan drop out of the top six as soon as Sunday, a position which would leave them needing to beat Juventus in next month’s Coppa Italia final to secure European football.
“We must apologise to the fans for this defeat. With all due respect to Benevento, Milan should not have lost this game,” Mirabelli said.
“We are ashamed of this performance, but must not let ourselves become distraught. When you change so many players in a season these things can happen.
“We have clear ideas on what to do next in the transfer market and know where we have to intervene.”
I’m no footballing genius but I reckon at least 75% of Milan’s problem is they keep making dopey choice’s when it comes to the manager. No disrespect but club legends rarely make good managers! They’d be better off trying get Conte or Ancelotti at the end of the season.
@Hardly Normal: hes done well
Milan have 0 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses from their last 6 games. They are in 6th place (the last Europa league spot) only 2 points ahead of Atalanta, who have a game in hand. They are far from the Milan side who were a force in Europe in the early to mid 00′s
@Stipe Miocic: football has changed so much since then. Football in Europe is now dominated a by a few clubs from the richest leagues, and that’s what UEFA want.
@Ciaran Rice: That’s not really an excuse though. Juventus have been able to adapt to the changing game, they have done good business in the transfer market in recent years. They seem to be a much better run organization, they are on their way to a 7th straight Series A title.
@Ciaran Rice: like the one horse race in Scotland
@Mel Roberts: not a great comparison. Napoli still have a good chance to win the league if they beat juve tonight
@Mel Roberts: you’re becoming a stalker now, Mel.
It’s not as much as a one horse race as England which was over last week. SPFL is still going.
@Stipe Miocic: Juventus have the largest fan base and the biggest TV deal. That’s the major difference between them and Milan. Juventus are one of those elite clubs.
@Ciaran Rice: Football is in a far worse position and contains far less players that you would describe as “world class” compared to back then.
@Daniel Donovan: I don’t really agree. “World class” gets thrown around far too much. There are probably only about a dozen players at most who are truly in that bracket.
The difference between then and now is that top talent was more spread out than it is now. The richest clubs are essentially signing up all the really top talent. A lot of whom aren’t playing regularly.
Chelsea started this with their whole puppy farm approach to youth development.
Conte heading to AC
Benevento easily the worst side to ever play in Serie A.
For any Serie A side to lose to them, nevermind a club of Milan’s stature, is thoroughly shocking.