AC Milan disappointing in Champions League yet again

AC Milan have won four points from their first two matches in the Champions League group stage for the fourth time in a row. Coach Massimiliano Allegri has led them during those four seasons. However, for the first time, the Rossoneri have accomplished the feat without conceding a goal. The mood in Milan should be upbeat, but it’s far from that.

Milan managed to scrape by and draw 1-1 against Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena on Tuesday. Had it not been for a late Mario Balotelli penalty, the visitors would’ve surely walked out without a point. The result flattered Milan, because when glancing at the stats and when analysing the game, it was a very unconvincing performance from the Diavolo.

Under Frank De Boer, Ajax have won three consecutive Eredivisie titles. The Dutchman’s 4-3-3 system is one of the most fluid in Europe, hence why the Dutch side have had such great success. The kicker is that they have a squad with an average age of around 23 years old.

That possession based, exciting style nearly gifted Ajax with a victory. They had 59% of the possession and utilised it well, producing ten shots on the night. Ajax also had one of their chances called back due to a handball by Lucas Andersen shortly before the hosts earned the lead.

The penalty call late in the game also appeared to be harsh when watching the replays. Balotelli and Mike van der Hoorn were tussling in the box before a cross, which resulted in both players falling to the ground after some shirt tugging. Van der Hoorn was adjudged to have been the instigator, even though he appeared innocent.

AC Milan didn’t even record a single attempt until the 48th minute. They finally grabbed control of the match in the final stages, but for one moment off a corner, they fell asleep yet again and nearly suffered as a result.

It’s worth noting that Milan are dealing with injuries at the moment. Stephan El Shaarawy, Kaka, and Mattia De Sciglio are just a few of the players that are out. Riccardo Montolivo was only recently welcomed back due to fitness issues, as was Ignazio Abate.

On the other hand, since Allegri has taken over as coach in 2010, there have been 128 documented injuries, or 32 per year. Don’t believe that? Scroll back through 14 pages of reports. That can’t be a coincidence, no other club in the world have anywhere near that amount.

That is still no excuse to produce that sort of a performance. It was the same story in the first leg of the playoff back in August against PSV in Eindhoven. The Eredivisie club punished Milan for the majority of that match, yet could only come away with a draw.

While the draw in Holland could lead to Milan’s progression to the first knockout round, it’ll be far tougher to play like that and progress further. The better, more intelligent sides will be able to get around Allegri’s tactics, meaning yet another early exit for one of the Champions League’s most successful teams of all-time.

This isn’t anything new either. Allegri has won just twice in eight knockout stage matches and just nine times in 28 games overall. For a coach that is taking charge of a club like AC Milan, that’s an unacceptable record. That’s just a 32% win rate.

Of those nine wins, six of them came against Auxerre, Viktoria Plzen, BATE Borisov, Anderlecht, Zenit, and Celtic. The other two were against Arsenal and Barcelona, they went on to lose the second legs of those ties.

Allegri may be able to get the job done in Serie A, but if third place is the target for AC Milan, then everyone involved with that club need to be set straight. The same goes with the European performances, three straight group stage campaigns with two wins in each is abysmal, especially when looking at the opponents they’ve faced over the years.

Milan will probably get through Group H, but they won’t get very far. Tuesday was another indication that Allegri must go and that it’s no wonder that he hasn’t been given an extension past June 2014.