AC Milan’s struggles have reached a boiling point, with club directors reportedly shifting the blame onto the players following a crucial summit with head coach Sérgio Conceição. The meeting, held in the wake of Milan’s disappointing Champions League exit and inconsistent league form, highlighted growing tensions within the club.
Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta has been vocal in defending Conceição, arguing that the players bear the primary responsibility for the team’s failures. He suggested that while a coach’s influence is often overstated, Milan’s squad has failed to meet expectations on the pitch. Costacurta pointed out that coaches can only do so much and that the mentality and execution ultimately fall on the players .
Meanwhile, reports indicate that Milan’s management is deeply concerned about the squad’s performances, particularly the lack of leadership and discipline on the field. Conceição himself alluded to this issue, stating that Milan’s poor mentality was evident in their recent matches, including the red card that contributed to their latest setback .
Despite the directors’ focus on the players, Conceição has not been entirely absolved of responsibility. Some critics have questioned his tactical decisions, particularly his in-game management and substitutions during crucial moments. Reports suggest that Milan’s failure to find balance and consistency under Conceição’s leadership has exacerbated the club’s struggles .
The club’s leadership, including Zlatan Ibrahimović and sporting director Geoffrey Moncada, has also come under fire. Some analysts argue that Milan’s structural issues go beyond the players and the coach, pointing to questionable transfer decisions and an unstable long-term vision. One report even suggests that if an “executive market” existed, Milan would be making major changes at the top rather than just on the pitch .
With Milan still competing in the Coppa Italia and aiming to secure Champions League qualification for next season, the club must find solutions quickly. Whether that means a tactical shift from Conceição, stronger leadership from the players, or potential squad changes in the summer remains to be seen. One thing is clear: Milan’s current crisis runs deep, and assigning blame alone will not fix the issues.
For now, the pressure is on both the players and the management to turn things around before the season spirals further out of control.
