Against Rennes, the Rossoneri conceded another three goals, following the four they leaked against Monza last weekend. For a team that wants to fight for titles – that’s far too many.Head coach Stefano Pioli appeared in the press room with a serious look, as if he understood the problem: Milan concedes too many goals. After a couple of questions, he highlighted it himself, adding that the team “needs to improve.” Indeed, especially when analyzing the numbers, the game situations, and how conceded goals arrive. Against Stade Rennais on Thursday night, the Rossoneri received another three blows. Two from penalties, where the system can do little, and the other with a long-range strike with a guilty party: Yunus Musah, guilty of not marking tightly.UEL: Rennes rattle the great Milan and go out in a blaze of gloryMilan fished the ball out of their net 17 times in 11 matches they played in 2024. They conceded one goal against Roma, two against Udinese, Bologna, and Frosinone, two more against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia, one against Cagliari, four against Monza, and three against Rennes. Their goalie, Mike Maignan, has kept clean sheets only against Napoli, Empoli, and Rennes in the UEFA Europa League first leg. He also had some lapses: against Udinese, Frosinone, and Monza, he conceded a goal on his side, but in the first two occasions, the Rossoneri managed to come back, while they suffered a defeat in Monza.Several reasons contribute to this defensive decline. The first is related to the injuries in the defence, missing key players Fikayo Tomori, Pierre Kalulu, and Malick Thiaw simultaneously. In January, to cope with the emergency, Matteo Gabbia was recalled from his loan spell at Villarreal. Pioli was forced to field several youngsters – notably Jimenez and Simic, who scored on his debut against Monza – but their contribution has certainly been positive.##NAJAVA_MECA_7899408##Milan has already conceded 45 goals in 35 matches: ten in Europe, three in the Coppa Italia, and 31 in the league, with only nine clean sheets. It’s a far cry from the last two seasons, especially the title-winning one, the campaign where the Rossoneri defence was always the strong point. The injuries to the starting centre-backs are a strong alibi, one to be brought out immediately, but as time goes by, there is more time to improve. Tomori, Kalulu, and Thiaw – who returned in the first leg against Rennes and started against Monza – have been out for several months. Gabbia, since his return, has made only a couple of mistakes, while veteran Simon Kjaer, who turns 35 at the end of March, has only rested against Monza and Cagliari – and started the other games. The good news is that Tomori and Kalulu will be available very soon, perhaps already, for the match against Atalanta on Sunday. On the eve of the game against Rennes, their teammates welcomed them in the training session with a long applause. Pioli hopes it is a good omen.
