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Pioli walking a tightrope: Expectations, reality and the reverberation of Maldini’s words

Originally posted on SempreMilan  |  By Christian Montegan  |  Last updated 2/27/24

Amidst the aftermath of AC Milan’s Champions League semi-final exit to Inter last season, former technical director Paolo Maldini sent a stern warning regarding expectations for the club.

“As we said last season, we are not yet built to handle two tournaments. We said that to the media, but also the club owners, so they know that full well,” Maldini told SportMediaset.

“This journey started four years ago, which took great results, both economic and sporting, built a young foundation for the squad and there are roughly three years difference in the average age of our squad to Inter’s and that lack of experience tells at this level.”

In Italy, some fan bases are more impatient than others – and Milan certainly falls into that category.

Many Rossoneri enthusiasts viewed the Scudetto victory under Stefano Pioli’s reign as the pinnacle moment to truly kick on and compete not just domestically, but in European competition.

Suddenly, the Milan faithful forgot the words to the ‘Pioli is on fire’ chant at the San Siro when the team was struggling last season to scrape into the top four.

Yet, the 58-year-old was hailed as a king when his exemplary tactical approach in Europe helped guide the seven-time European champions to their first UEFA Champions League semi-final since they won the event back in 2007.

Then it all unravelled once again when city rivals Inter performed an inch-perfect display across the 180 minutes to ask further questions regarding Pioli’s future. Watching the Nerazzurri now and witnessing the quality they are producing consistently as arguably a top-three squad in Europe is an indication of the large discrepancy between the pair whether Milan fans like it or not.

It’s this unhealthy and toxic back-and-forth discussion about Pioli’s tenure that is so inconsistent to the point where the ‘#PioliOut’ crew are waiting at every opportunity to pounce whilst rubbing their hands in anticipation of a downfall.

Take Milan’s recent run of results as an example – one loss in 13 matches across all competitions before suffering a shock defeat with 10 men for the majority of the second half at the hands of Monza.

The cries from the majority were to rotate the squad and provide opportunities for bench players which in turn would help rest the regular starting line-up. So, Pioli made five changes to the one that featured in the Europa League first leg against Stade Rennes, but was still criticised for making too many alterations.

Yes, you can point to the fact that resting three forwards was a gamble. However, it was individual mistakes that ultimately cost Milan the match. Are you beginning to understand the pattern of toxicity?

In the 1-1 draw against Atalanta recently, Milan dominated possession and took the initiative to push for the three points but were halted by the second-most in-form team in Serie A. Again, there was immense dissatisfaction aimed toward the manager despite the team doing everything but put the ball in the net.

You can’t help but feel the vibe around social media and supporters that Pioli can never catch a break from unnecessary scrutiny. Every manager at the top level is not immune to criticism, but what Pioli has had to put up with in the media has been nothing short of embarrassing.

There seems to be plenty of moaning about Pioli when he doesn’t get results, but what about when he does find a way time and time again to steady the ship when things are going pear-shaped? Is that not an indication of the Italian’s ability to be tactically flexible and open-minded?

Unlike Massimiliano Allegri’s defensively stubborn ways at Juventus, Pioli has demonstrated that he wants to play attacking and expansive football, but can also revert to winning ugly when required.

This repetitive negativity amongst some (not all) sections of the Milan supporter base, whenever something doesn’t go the clubs’ way, is now becoming tiresome and boring.

Milan has ample upside looking ahead to the future. Economically, the club is as strong as it’s been for years, the youth production is shining through and is consistently qualifying for Europe’s premier club competition.

That doesn’t undermine the problems at Milanello such as the injury crisis, and Milan are a historical club built to win trophies, but a lack of focus on the bigger picture is what’s most concerning.

With or without Maldini’s presence, Milan has implemented a fantastic job off the field to stabilise a once giant of European football and set a plan in place to climb back to the top where they belong.

Could it be that the Milanisti haven’t quite established any affirmable expectations? Is it simply a case of expecting the club to bite off more than they can chew?

One thing is for certain: those expectations need to be realistic to offer Pioli a fair chance.

This article first appeared on SempreMilan and was syndicated with permission.

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