Former AC Milan Captain Condemns The Issue Of Dismissal Of Coach Stefano Pioli

AC Milan players celebrate goals. The former Milan captain criticized the negative issue of the team being successfully handled by coach Stefano Pioli. (X/@acmilan)

JAKARTA - AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli is under pressure ahead of a crucial match against Sassuolo. But former Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini defended Pioli and sparked the issue of the coach's dismissal.

Milan failed in the Champions League and had to fight hard to maintain a position in the Italian Serie A standings.

In the last match against Salernitana who topped the bottom of the table, Milan almost fell before being saved by Luka Jovic who scored last minute.

The final score of Milan 2-2 made them even more lagging behind the rivals of one city, Inter Milan, which is at the top of the standings.

With 33 points, Milan is already 11 points behind with Inter. Meanwhile, Juventus, who is ranked second, pocketed 40 points.

Milan also received threats from Bologna who was only two points adrift. Meanwhile, Fiorentina, who is in fifth position, has also peeked at the opportunity to shift Milan because it has points 30.

Both teams pose a serious threat to the Rossoneri in the race for positions in the top four in order to get a slot into the Champions League next season.

The stressful situation made Pioli's position uncomfortable. There was pressure to stop the coach. The club can't wait with Pioli who only brought the team to the top three.

Only criticism and absorption aimed at Pioli actually received rebuttal from Ambrosini. According to him, the real team is inconsistent.

However, Pioli was the target of criticism, including a playing strategy that was deemed incompatible with the Milan carat.

"This team has no consistency," Ambrosini said in response to Milan's condition.

"The team actually has a very good idea of football, but they can't implement it well. The problem is it's not easy to deal with a situation like this," he said again.

"So I was just surprised by the negative situation around Milan. I was surprised by so many people who claimed to be disappointed with the team's condition since winning the Scudetto," said Milan midfielder from 1995 to 2013.

Ambrosini menilai banyak yang seperti tak menerima saat Milan mengalami kesulitan setelah kembali meraih Scudetto pada 2022. Padahal, Pioli sukses membawa Rossoneri tetap di atas liga usai memenangi liga.

According to him, it is not appropriate to fire Pioli, who succeeded in bringing the team to the top. With the savings made by the club in player spending, Pioli has been quite successful in building a competitive team.

"Just look at the standings. Milan is still on track to achieve the minimum target. I find it difficult for Milan to reach the current position if they are not with the coach," said Ambrosini.

"I'm just surprised by anyone's reaction when the team had difficulties after winning the Scudetto," he said further.

Ambrosini, who helped Milan win the Champions League twice and this four-time Scudetto also features Zlatan Ibrahimvic's entry as Senior Advisor to club owner Gerry Cardinale.

Ibrahimovic's position is said to make Pioli no longer fully in power in the team. The authority as head coach also seems to be minimized by Ibrahimovic's presence.

"In theory, he fills the void after the departure of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara. But it looks like Zlatan got more roles than that," he said.

Ambrosini hopes that the players will take responsibility for the decline in team performance. Players must be able to show consistency.

"Players also have to take responsibility. Obviously, motivational problems can come from coaches, clubs and the surrounding environment. But players also have to do more. They have to show character, soul and be more consistent," said Ambrosini.