AC Milan's recent struggles on the pitch have left their fans worried as the team suffered significant defeats, first against Feyenoord and then against Torino, raising questions about their performance and consistency. The latest setback came during the Serie A match on February 22, 2025, where the Rossoneri lost 2-1 to Torino after showing promise of resurgence.
Midfielder Tijjani Reijnders highlighted the current challenges the team is facing, expressing frustration over their inability to maintain focus during games. After the loss to Torino, he stated, "Yes, at this moment we are making life difficult for ourselves. When you start the match like this, you have to come back to equalize; we did it, but we immediately gave away the equalizer. We need to be more mature because otherwise, we complicate our life," showcasing the team's visible struggle to execute effectively under pressure.
The match against Torino was particularly heartbreaking. Milan fell behind early when defender Malick Thiaw inadvertently scored an own goal. Although Reijnders managed to equalize the score later on, their joy was short-lived as Gvidas Gineitis of Torino brought the game back to 2-1 just minutes later. This spiral of mistakes reflects the pervasive theme of the Rossoneri's recent outings, where it appears everything can and does go wrong during matches.
Milan's goalkeeper Mike Maignan had an unfortunate error, failing to clear the ball correctly, resulting in the own goal, and the team also faced missed opportunities like Christian Pulisic's failed penalty kick, which only added to their woes. According to Reijnders, such missteps highlight the need for improvement. He explained, "If we take too much time, it is easy for the opponent: we need to find spaces between the lines because that's how we create opportunities. It's much easier for the opponent to defend if we play more slowly." This perspective emphasizes the necessity for Milan to quicken their pace to break down opposing defenses.
It's been quite the disastrous week for Milan; they were booted from the Champions League playoff contention against Feyenoord, showcasing gaps not only defensively but also tactically. Following these disappointments, Reijnders attempted to create some positivity within the squad, acknowledging the difficulty of remaining upbeat. He said, "We are trying to be positive, because we still have chances in the league: now we are out of the Champions League, we are more focused. It is more difficult to stay focused after defeats like this but we must try to build confidence." This speaks to the psychological toll such defeats can take on players and the need for resilience moving forward.
The challenge now lies not only in rectifying their on-pitch issues but also sustaining morale as they aim to bounce back. The Rossoneri currently sit seventh on the Serie A table and find themselves six points adrift of the top four, where qualification for European competitions looms large. With the next match against Bologna on the horizon, originally postponed due to flooding concerns, the stakes are high for Milan as they look to turn their fortunes around. Reijnders's call for maturity and faster gameplay is echoed by team coach Sergio Conceicao, who similarly stressed the importance of ball movement and pace during play.
All these dynamics play out under the ever-watchful eyes of fans and critics alike, who will be eager to see if Milan can regroup and rise to the occasion. Their future depends not just on tactical adjustments but also on their resolve as they navigate the competitive insecurities of Serie A.