Massimiliano Allegri`s highly anticipated return to AC Milan`s dugout promised a fresh start. Instead, the opening fixture of the Serie A season delivered a stark and unsettling sense of déjà vu, leaving the Rossoneri reeling and their veteran coach grappling with familiar demons.
A Humorous Prelude, A Grim Reality
Before the whistle blew for his first match back, Allegri indulged in a moment of characteristic self-deprecating humor. “It`s been a year since I sat on the bench, I hope not to cause too much damage,” he quipped, perhaps hoping to lighten the pressure of a grand homecoming. Yet, as the final whistle echoed through the San Siro, signaling a 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Cremonese, the irony was palpable. The “damage,” it appeared, was already done, and it felt eerily reminiscent of challenges that have plagued the coach and his teams before.
The Rossoneri, expected to seize a golden opportunity this season without the demanding distractions of European competition, instead stumbled out of the gate. The performance wasn`t merely poor; it was a distressing replay of the struggles that defined their previous underwhelming campaign.
Defensive Frailty and Attacking Impotence
Two critical flaws immediately resurfaced: a persistent inability to dismantle compact, organized defenses, and a defensive structure as brittle as a biscotto. While Allegri readily shouldered the collective responsibility for these systemic issues, he didn`t shy away from highlighting glaring individual errors that compounded the team`s woes.
- Defensive Lapses: Players like Pavlovic and Estupinan seemed to struggle with basic ball control and decision-making, inadvertently creating opportunities for the opposition.
- Missed Opportunities: In the final third, Fofana`s shots went astray, and Gimenez failed to retain possession, symptomatic of a broader lack of offensive quality and precision.
The collective quality, Allegri implied, simply wasn`t there when it mattered most. This isn`t just about tactical setups; it`s about fundamental execution under pressure.
The “Perception of Danger” Paradox
Allegri`s post-match analysis was particularly telling, featuring phrases that have become almost synonymous with his more challenging periods. “We shot a lot, but the difference is made by the nastiness with which you attack and, above all, with which you defend,” he stated. He pointed to two easily avoidable goals, conceding that the team “lacks the perception of danger.”
“We need to improve our perception of danger, because we don`t perceive it: in the box, five against three, the opponent cannot jump alone.”
This observation, delivered with a hint of exasperation, underscores a core philosophical tenet of Allegri`s coaching: football at its highest level demands not just technical skill or tactical acumen, but also an innate awareness of unfolding threats and a ruthless instinct to both attack and defend. The irony, of course, is that a team under a manager of Allegri`s repute is struggling with such basic “perceptions.” It almost sounds as if he`s coaching a youth team on fundamental principles rather than a Serie A giant.
“Dirty Games” and the Road Ahead
Beyond the tactical and technical deficiencies, Allegri also stressed the need for his team to embrace a more pragmatic, less aesthetically pleasing style when necessary. “In general, you also need to be prepared to play dirty games, because if we play all clean games, we don`t provide solidity,” he remarked. This pragmatic approach, often labeled “Allegri-ball” by critics, prioritizes results and defensive solidity over fluid, attacking football. While effective in certain contexts, its application here, after a defeat to an underdog, raises questions about the team`s capacity to even execute the “dirty” fundamentals effectively.
For Milan, the opening day loss to Cremonese at home is more than just three dropped points. It`s a loud, early warning signal. It raises immediate questions about whether Allegri can instill the necessary “nastiness” and “perception of danger” in a squad that appears to be struggling with confidence and cohesion. The season is long, and as Allegri noted, there`s “time to work.” But the ghosts of past campaigns, and indeed, of Allegri`s own recent coaching history, are already making their presence felt. The challenge for Milan and their returning coach is not just to win games, but to exorcise these familiar specters before they fully haunt their entire season.
