Do or die [Newsletter]

The second leg of the Europa League quarter-final is upon us and AC Milan have a tough task on their hands, with a 0-1 deficit to overturn against Roma at Stadio Olimpico. The performance in the first leg was far from ideal, up there with one of the worst of the season, and the Sassuolo draw didn’t actually help boost the confidence.

It will be very interesting to see the response tomorrow as both the players and Stefano Pioli need to prove themselves. Especially the latter, given that the Europa League is Milan’s last chance of clinching a trophy this season. Finishing second in the league deserves some praise, but getting knocked out of three tournaments will not look good on paper for the season evaluations.

Just as tomorrow’s clash will be a do-or-die situation for Milan’s Europa League hopes, it seems this will also apply to Pioli’s future. The final decision will still be made at the end of the season, but getting knocked out against a domestic opponent - and with Liverpool potentially gone as well - would really sting. After all, the Rossoneri do have a good chance of going all the way provided they play at their best.

Giorgio Furlani keeps talking about ‘perfecting’ the team this summer and with another European as well as big game failure tomorrow, it’s hard to see how keeping Pioli can be considered part of that plan. It will ultimately be the decision of the management, along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but one can be sure that a shitstorm will break out in the event of an unwanted outcome at the Olimpico.

Shifting the focus a little, Fikayo Tomori will at least be back in defence and he looks set to partner up with Matteo Gabbia. The latter actually did a fairly good job of keeping Romelu Lukaku at bay, even though the Belgian had his moments, and he certainly deserves to start again. Simon Kjaer (now injured) and Malick Thiaw have just been far too unpredictable this season, so hopefully Tomori’s entrance will be a much-needed boost.

It’s also clear that Pioli will have to come up with different tactics for this game. Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao were both completely neutralised in the first leg, thanks to Daniele De Rossi’s smart moves, and Milan cannot afford a repeat of this. Not to suggest that the right flank isn’t strong, in fact it’s probably the strongest it has been all season, but the Rossoneri need their superstar Leao too.

In short, a potential turnaround hinges on several different factors and unfortunately, this means that Milan find themselves in a very difficult situation. With the help of his players, will Pioli be able to pull this off?

News Bulletin

➤ Milan’s Primavera side came away with all three points from Saturday's clash against Empoli, coming back from 2-1 behind to win 3-2. Sala, Sia and Liberali got the goals for Abate's side, while in other news the captain Kevin Zeroli signed a new long-term deal.

➤ AC Milan Women beat Napoli 3-2 in their third Relegation Round match to make it five consecutive wins in Serie A in a rollercoaster afternoon at the PUMA House of Football. In other news, some renewals are being worked on and there could be a big departure.

➤ CEO Giorgio Furlani addressed a number of topics related to the future of the club in an interview with DAZN, from Stefano Pioli’s position as head coach to the possibility of stars being sold and what will happen in the summer mercato.

➤ What is the latest on Pioli's future? Well, it seems that the second leg against Roma and the derby will be decisive, which means the next five days could yield answers. One thing is for sure, the defensive record is not helping his case, as good as the attack might be.

➤ There has been a lot of talk about Rafael Leao in the last week. First, he was booed off in the first leg against Roma (perhaps more aimed at Pioli's substitution, though the winger did struggle), then he was excellent against Sassuolo. All eyes are on what he can magic up in the return leg, but in the meantime Milan launched a clothing line in his name.

➤ A transfer news round-up: Milan are working on the signing of Joshua Zirkzee in the background, they are pursuing a new defensive midfielder, have been offered a Manchester United defender and seem ready to go back in for Torino's Alessandro Buongiorno.

Bonus Content

Roma Recap with Resident Romanista [Bonus Podcast]

Expect the unexpected [Bonus Article]

Failure on all fronts [Bonus Article]