Milan – Monza Serie A Week 38

Week 37 away at Roma provided yet more evidence that the current Milan is broken and in crisis. The players showed little will and shape and the coach himself received a red card and will miss what is in all likelihood his last match in charge of Milan. Conceicao was right to be critical of the refereeing however. Gimenez was sent off for an elbow that was identical to the one Gabbia received in the Coppa final match days earlier. The same VAR in charge saw the same incident differently. Alas the team has had a horrendous season and the responsibility starts at the top but is shared by all down to the players. Igli Tare might arrive as a Sporting Director and an Italian Milan might take shape but there is little reason for optimism as things stand. Time and the upcoming summer will tell.

The red Giminez received rules him out of this season finale. Jovic is the most likely replacement. Leao and Pulisic will start on the wings. Whispers that the latter is seeking clarification before agreeing to any contract extensions are predictable, if not necessarily true. Fofana and Reijnders should start in their usual pivot roles. The rumours about the latter’s future seem more concrete but the player may still remain. He signed an extension mere months ago. Theo’s season has been mixed to poor and he looks like another asking for assurances. It would be unsurprising if he is not a Milan player come September. The Frenchman may not even start this last game with Musah taking his place. Jimenez will start on the right of midfield. Tomori, Gabbia and Pavlovic should keep their back three places in front of Maignan.

Milan sit in ninth spot with no chance of finishing sixth. This means no European football next season, not even the dreaded Conference League. The only thing to play for is saving some face and perhaps a top eight spot. Beating Monza and finishing above one of Fiorentina (away versus Udinese) or Bologna (at home versus Genoa) means the team can avoid the early rounds of the 2025-2026 Coppa Italia that are scheduled for August.

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