Milan’s UEFA Champions League hopes took a significant blow after a disappointing 2-1 loss to Napoli on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The match noticed Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku hearth the house facet into an early lead, leaving Milan with yet one more uphill battle underneath Sergio Conceicao.
Although Luka Jovic managed to tug one again late within the recreation, it was Santiago Gimenez’s missed penalty within the 67th minute that proved to be the turning level. Nevertheless, past the end result, the match was additionally marked by Christian Pulisic’s selfless transfer at hand the penalty kick obligation to the Mexican, in addition to rising tensions throughout the crimson and black squad—none extra evident than within the heated second between Kyle Walker and Joao Felix.
Half-time got here with Milan down 2-0 in Naples. The seasoned Walker summed up his facet’s evening with a scathing seven-word rant aimed on the Portuguese, which even included Lionel Messi, criticizing his decision-making.
Felix fails to impress once more
Joao Felix arrived at Milan on mortgage from Chelsea within the winter switch window, however his impression has been underwhelming. His debut, which featured a surprising chip aim in opposition to Roma, raised hopes that he may rediscover the shape that after made him considered one of Europe’s most fun younger abilities. Nevertheless, since that recreation, the 25-year-old has struggled to make any significant impression.
Regardless of these performances, Conceicao continues to belief Felix over Rafael Leao, a choice that backfired in opposition to the second-placed squad in Serie A. Whereas the previous began the sport and supplied little, the latter’s introduction within the second half fully modified the staff’s attacking menace. Consequently, Felix was substituted simply 10 minutes after half-time, his evening ending in disappointment but once more.
Consequently, at halftime, Walker was overheard delivering a pointy reprimand to his teammate, a second that completely captured the staff’s struggles.
The seven-word recommendation that mentioned all of it
With the guests determined to get again into the sport, Felix’s decision-making—or lack thereof—infuriated the English veteran. In response to the Each day Mail, cameras caught the English defender telling Felix: “Go the ball, we aren’t Messi.”
It was a transparent message: The Chelsea loanee was holding onto the ball for too lengthy, attempting to do an excessive amount of on his personal, fairly than making the easy, efficient play. Milan wanted fast, decisive motion, however Felix’s tendency to overcomplicate issues was costing the staff treasured attacking alternatives. In truth, he was substituted shortly after Walker’s remark, with Conceicao seemingly agreeing that the Portuguese ahead was not contributing sufficient.
SurveyDo you assume Milan’s struggles this season are primarily attributable to particular person performances or staff chemistry?
Do you assume Milan’s struggles this season are primarily attributable to particular person performances or staff chemistry?
