It was a disastrous week for AC Milan. On Tuesday night, Feyenoord closed the Rossoneri’s Champions League campaign, and on Saturday, their chances of returning to Europe’s top competition took a significant hit. Milan suffered a 2-1 defeat against Torino, leading to frustration in the fashion capital.
We have to stay positive, no matter how difficult that is after a defeat like this. Right now, we are making things very hard for ourselves.
We equalized at 1-1 and immediately conceded again. We need to be more mature in these moments. We can't keep making things this difficult for ourselves in every game, complained Tijjani Reijnders to DAZN after Milan’s disappointing loss to Torino. His words echoed the growing frustration within the squad and among the fans, as Milan’s struggles continued to deepen at a critical stage of the season.
Milan coach Sergio Conceição was also highly critical of his team, not holding back in his post-match analysis. "The last twelve to fifteen goals we've conceded have almost all come from unnecessary mistakes. This isn't about strategy or systems; these are things that I often wonder how they are even possible. We were 1-0 down at halftime, yet Torino hadn’t even registered a shot on target, and we had already missed a penalty." Conceição’s remarks highlighted the defensive lapses and lack of concentration that have haunted Milan throughout the campaign. Individual errors, poor decision-making, and lapses in crucial moments have been a recurring theme, preventing the team from building any real momentum.
Torino 2 - 1 AC Milan. The loss in Turin was another setback in what has been a frustrating season for the Rossoneri. Defensive errors, missed chances, and a lack of consistency have plagued their campaign, making their push for a Champions League spot even more complicated. The match itself was emblematic of Milan’s problems despite enjoying more possession and creating better opportunities, they failed to capitalize when it mattered most. A missed penalty in the first half and lapses in concentration at the back cost them dearly, as Torino took full advantage of Milan's mistakes.
La Gazzetta dello Sport described the situation at Milan as "theater of errors" in San Siro. "Own goals, individual mistakes, opponents doing the unexpected. It seemed like between August and February, everything that could go wrong had already happened. But every time you think nothing worse can happen, reality proves you wrong again. This team is testing the already fragile nerves of its supporters." The Italian press has been ruthless in its criticism of Milan’s inconsistency, and this latest defeat has only intensified the scrutiny. For a club of Milan’s stature, missing out on the Champions League would be seen as a major failure, both financially and in terms of their sporting ambitions.
Milan’s struggles this season have been multifaceted. Injuries have played a role, with key players missing crucial periods of the campaign. The lack of depth in certain positions has also been exposed, with Conceição forced to rely on makeshift solutions at times. Additionally, there have been concerns about the team’s mentality, particularly when dealing with adversity. Too often, Milan have looked vulnerable after conceding, unable to respond with the resilience required at the highest level.
The defeat against Torino leaves Milan in a precarious position. With this loss, Milan has dropped to seventh place in Serie A, outside the Champions League qualification spots. Lazio currently holds fourth place, six points ahead, though they have played one more game. The qualification requirements for the Champions League are clear: Milan must finish at least fourth. With 13 matches remaining, their margin for error is rapidly shrinking.
The road ahead is anything but easy. Milan’s upcoming fixtures include clashes against direct rivals for European spots, as well as tough encounters against top teams. If they are to salvage their season, improvements must come quickly. Conceição’s tactical adjustments, squad rotation, and the players’ mentality will all be put to the test. A reaction is needed not just to keep their Champions League hopes alive, but also to restore faith among the fans who have grown increasingly frustrated with the team’s inconsistency.
As the season enters its decisive phase, the pressure on Milan continues to mount. The club’s hierarchy will also be watching closely, as missing out on the Champions League would have significant financial implications, potentially impacting their summer transfer plans. For now, the focus remains on the immediate task: turning things around on the pitch and ensuring that defeats like the one in Turin do not become the defining narrative of their season.
