Monthly Archive: April 2025

Milan routed Udinese 4-0 to get their biggest away of the season. The biggest credit was and given to the 3-4-3 tried for the first time from the start. Insiders even relayed some Conceicao regret for not trying the three at the back often and earlier. The team looked more balanced and fluid but this was against a midtable team. The Fofana and Reijnders midfield duo surrounded by Theo and Jimenez can be exploited by stronger teams. But of course the 3-4-3 can and should be continued as it looked good on the pitch. Three at the back is not exactly associated with any modern Milan squad and the inevitable comparison to Antonio Conte’s preferred set up are premature. In the meanwhile there has been more talk of Milan’s summer and future moves than what may transpire in the final matches of this season.

At Udinese Maignan was involved in a hard collision with Jimenez while trying to retrieve a ball. The keeper was subbed off – and Jimenez was subbed off minutes later – but word is that both are available for this week 33 match. The same back three that started at Udinese should be on the starting 11 so Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic will start behind the aforementioned quartet of Jimenez, Reijnders, Fofana and Theo. Conceicao opted to start Jovic instead of Abraham and (the declared not fully fit) Gimenez. The Serbian will likely start again. Pulisic and Leao will be on the wings.

Atalanta come to the San Siro a full 10 points ahead of Milan. The visitor’s recent form has been mixed however. Before beating Bologna 2-0 last week La Dea had lost three in row to Inter, Fiorentina and Lazio in a very tough stretch of matches.

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Slow starts, unpredictable lineup changes, relying on a loanee and a ‘forgotten man’ for goals. Milan’s season remains in turmoil and crisis. In week 31’s 2-2 tie versus Fiorentina the visitors took a quick 2-0 lead with a Milan looking lost. Musah was substituted early and the first half looked careless and shambolic. The aforementioned two ‘rescued’ a point but the team is adrift.

The news surrounding Milan remains concentrated on the next sporting director and indeed the next coach. The summer might herald more unexciting names like Igli Tare in a sporting director role and the same kind of wasted transfer money that has Milan losing out on big European euros. The players do not show enough passion to ensure the season finishes strong either.

Outside of the rumour mill the talk is if Conceicao can provide a spark and perhaps field two out and out strikers from the start. The somewhat vague talk is that Gimenez is not ready so Abraham and Jovic, who scored the goals versus Fiorentina, are in consideration to start together from the start. That is where the balance word comes along since this would produce a very attacking 11 when it includes Leao and Theo. It remains likelier that a 4-2-3-1 remains at least to start matches. With Walker out with a fractured elbow the right back spot falls either to Jimenez or Terracciano. The center back pairings is one of the mysteries of this season and it is not easy to predict who will start. Theo will be the left back. It is not out of the question that the Frenchman is playing his final Milan games. Fofana shows flashes but doesn’t look the most reliable player. Bondo has time to grow into the team. based on current form at least Musah should not be starting in place of either. The three behind the main striker should remain Pulicis, Reijnders and Leao. Joao Felix has disappointed and is almost certain to return to Chelsea in the summer. Abraham probably has the center forward spot locked up for the last few games that remain in this 2024-2025 Serie A season.

Udinese’s most recent form is three losses in a row but I Friulani enjoyed a six game unbeaten run prior to it.

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The week 2-1 defeat at Napoli has effectively ended the faint chances of a top four finish. Being ninth with eight weeks to go means the already miniscule chances of European football are gone. Milan finances woe. The week 30 game itself was far from the worst Milan have played but a late flurry was needed to add positivity to the game. The game was followed by the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg versus Inter. The Coppa match ended 1-1 with more positive signs but Coppa Italia and indeed the derby games have not been the best measure of this (Serie A) season.

Fiorentina visit the San Siro with the Milan starting 11 remaining unpredictable. Players like Gimenez seems to have already lost their starting spots. Abraham looks to get more starts, for now at least. Leao didn’t get a start last week either, further confusing many. His second half introduction was not without impact. More spots remain in flux and oddly the center of defense is one of those. Any of Thiaw, Gabbia, Pavlovic and Tomori could start and only the closest observers can be confident in their prediction. Similarly a player like Jimenez who shows grit and promise is the first to be substituted out. Although very much outside of character Conceicao could be just riding out the season and depending on what happens above him remain or leave. As it stands the summer could be headed for a groundhog day type ‘year zero’, again.

Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina have somewhat impressed and it is inevitable that the coach’s name has become the subject of (less than reliable) rumours for next season. The rumour mill has spent a good amount of time in recent weeks speculating that Conceicao won’t last beyond the end of the season and the subject has also shifted to a Sporting Director position becoming available with names like Fabio Paratici high on the list. If rumours are to be believed an ‘Italianization’ of Milan might be on the cards. Time will tell if this changes much as the team needs more than just a few new faces, whatever their nationality may be. Structural changes in scouting, decision making and transfer business remain long over due.

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