Former AC Milan captain Marcel Desailly has voiced serious concerns over the club’s current trajectory, asserting that the team is entrenched in a crisis marked by a lack of leadership and mental fortitude.
Speaking to Sky Italia, the former France international of Ghanaian descent said, “I am disappointed, as Milan are today a mix of many different problems.
“The season started badly, then there was a moment where they thought it was turning around, but everyone quickly realised this team lacks the leadership to be competitive. All the sides ahead of them in the Serie A table have a very clear philosophy.”
Desailly highlighted the contrast with league leaders Inter Milan, stating, “Just look at Inter, who for years have assimilated the 3-5-2 system and now play by heart. I don’t think Milan have less individual talent than Inter, but they lack chemistry.”
Desailly emphasised that the issue isn’t about individual talent. “I don’t think it’s an individual problem, because Milan have many good players who unfortunately just don’t complete each other.
“You see Rafael Leao, Tammy Abraham, Christian Pulisic, Santiago Gimenez, Tijjani Reijnders. All have quality, but no real leader, nobody who stands out. This is what Milan need.”
Despite a recent 4-0 victory over Udinese, Milan’s inconsistent performances have left them ninth in Serie A with 51 points from 32 matches, trailing fourth-placed Bologna by six points.
The team now faces a critical period as they aim to secure European qualification through the Coppa Italia, where they are set to face Inter Milan in the semi-final second leg on April 23.
