Statistics show Rabiot essential for Milan after 1-0 defeat
Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Lazio has confirmed a remarkable statistic showing how badly the team struggles without Adrien Rabiot, as Ardon Jashari comes under fire.
The Rossoneri had seen their Scudetto hopes revitalised by the Derby della Madonnina victory over Inter, cutting the lead at the top of the table to seven points.
A win yesterday would’ve closed that even further to just five points, but instead they capitulated at the Stadio Olimpico.
Milan badly miss Rabiot
before the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Rabiot was suspended for the Lazio game and it is probably no coincidence that they faltered, because Milan have an average of 2.42 points per match with the France international in the squad this season.
In his absence, that average plummets to just 1.40 points per game.
There are two alternative options who can stand in for him, namely Samuele Ricci and last night’s pick Jashari.
The latter has come under particular criticism from fans, as after weeks of tense negotiations with Club Brugge and a €40m deal, he has struggled to make an impact.
It wasn’t helped by a serious injury in one of his first training sessions, but Jashari has made just 12 appearances for Milan, contributing one assist.
Since arriving from Olympique Marseille on transfer deadline day, Rabiot has scored four goals and provided five assists in 23 matches for the Rossoneri.
He was injured during a run of three draws and two victories in October and November 2025, including stalemates with Pisa, Atalanta and Parma.
Rabiot was suspended for the 1-1 draw with Como, and 1-0 defeat to Lazio.
The only losses he was present for were 1-0 to Parma in Serie A, 2-0 to Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana, and 1-0 to Lazio in the Coppa Italia.