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A Series of Terrible Decisions Sends Milan Packing from the UCL
The UEFA Champions League is a stage where the elite clubs of European football showcase their skill, ambition, and aspirations to be crowned the continent’s best. For AC Milan, one of the most storied clubs in the history of the competition, the Champions League represents both glory and pressure. However, a series of miscalculations, poor decisions, and missed opportunities have left the club teetering on the edge of elimination from the prestigious tournament in recent years.
In this article, we explore the sequence of terrible decisions that contributed to AC Milan’s early exit from the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League, a campaign that promised much but delivered far less.
1. A Lack of Strategic Squad Planning
The first of Milan’s major missteps in their UCL campaign came in the summer transfer window. Despite having a solid foundation and a roster that boasted both experience and youth, the club failed to address several key weaknesses.
- Midfield Reinforcements: Milan’s midfield was always a concern. The club had one of the finest defensive setups in Europe, but their midfield was often passive and lacked creativity. The inability to sign a dynamic and creative midfielder in the summer market proved to be one of the key setbacks. Players like Ismaël Bennacer and Sandro Tonali (who was sold to Newcastle United) were crucial, but Milan lacked a real orchestrator to control the tempo in big European games.
- Striker Woes: Up front, Milan struggled to replace the firepower of their past. While Olivier Giroud was a reliable option, the club’s failure to recruit a top-tier, young striker who could provide competition and a long-term solution to the team’s forward line was felt. Divock Origi, who was supposed to be a backup option, failed to live up to expectations, contributing to a lack of attacking spark in key moments.
2. Managerial Choices and Tactical Flexibility
Under manager Stefano Pioli, Milan had built a reputation for their solid, organized defensive structure and disciplined tactical approach. However, Pioli’s tactical rigidity was exposed during Milan’s Champions League campaign, particularly in the group stages and knockout rounds.
- Formation Inflexibility: Pioli often stuck to a 4-2-3-1 formation, even when it was clear that the team needed a more dynamic approach against high-quality European opposition. The lack of tactical flexibility meant that Milan found it difficult to break down teams that sat back and defended deep. They also struggled to contain opponents that had fast, technically gifted attackers. Against teams like Bayern Munich and Manchester City, Pioli’s defensive-minded approach left Milan vulnerable to high-pressing and counter-attacking styles, often leading to avoidable goals.
- Substitutions and In-Game Management: Another significant issue during Milan’s UCL campaign was Pioli’s in-game management. On several occasions, Milan found themselves in critical matches where they needed to change their approach, but Pioli was slow to react with tactical substitutions. When trailing, Pioli often opted for conservative changes, maintaining a defensive posture rather than pushing for an equalizer or goal. The lack of urgency and unpredictability in substitutions was glaring in Milan’s encounters with top-tier teams, especially during their final group-stage match against Paris Saint-Germain, where a 1-0 defeat sealed their elimination from the group.
3. Failure to Capitalize on Key Moments
One of the defining features of Milan’s 2024/25 UCL campaign was their inability to capitalize on crucial moments during the competition, a problem that stemmed both from tactical decisions and individual errors.
- Missed Opportunities Against PSG: In the first leg of the group stage against Paris Saint-Germain, Milan had their chances. They were competitive for long spells, holding PSG to a 0-0 scoreline until the final moments. However, a defensive lapse allowed Kylian Mbappé to score in the dying minutes, and Milan’s failure to respond at the other end was telling. This costly mistake not only resulted in a loss but also put Milan in a precarious position in the group. In the second leg, a 2-2 draw, despite Milan fighting back, was not enough to secure a top-two finish in their group, leaving them needing an unlikely result from the remaining fixtures.
- Critical Mistakes in Knockout Round: Milan’s lack of ruthlessness was exposed during their round of 16 match against Manchester City, where they were handed an opportunity to get back into the tie after a narrow 1-0 loss in the first leg at home. The return leg at the Etihad was always going to be difficult, but Milan had moments to break through City’s defense. However, they failed to take advantage of these brief opportunities, and Erling Haaland’s brace in the second leg sealed their fate. Milan were outclassed not just by City’s firepower but by their own failure to execute in critical moments.
4. Defensive Vulnerabilities
For all of Milan’s successes in Italy, their defense, while solid, proved vulnerable on the European stage. Despite boasting top defenders such as Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez, and veteran Simon Kjaer, Milan were exposed by teams with fast, direct attacking play. Their high defensive line was exploited in several games, particularly against pacey forwards, and this tactical flaw cost them dearly.
- Set-Piece Defending: Milan’s set-piece defending also came under scrutiny during their UCL run. Against top teams, defensive concentration at dead-ball situations is crucial, but Milan allowed themselves to be vulnerable in these areas, conceding several goals from corners and free kicks. This defensive frailty became more evident in their 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich, where the German side capitalized on set-pieces to extend their lead.
5. Mental and Leadership Issues
Milan’s lack of leadership during key moments was another reason for their UCL failure. Although players like Giroud and Kjaer are experienced, the team lacked a commanding presence who could drive them forward during adversity. In the latter stages of the group stage and knockout rounds, Milan appeared mentally fatigued, lacking the composure and urgency needed to turn the tide in high-stakes matches.
Additionally, Milan’s inability to maintain consistency in their performances was indicative of a broader mental block. The team struggled to raise their level against top European teams and failed to manage pressure, a crucial element in high-profile Champions League ties.
6. Over-Reliance on Individual Moments
Lastly, AC Milan’s heavy reliance on individual brilliance rather than a cohesive team approach proved to be detrimental. While players like Rafael Leão and Giroud could produce flashes of brilliance, Milan were often too dependent on these isolated moments of magic. When these players were well-contained or had off-days, Milan’s overall play seemed devoid of ideas and innovation. This over-reliance on individual talent meant the team lacked a unified, fluid attacking system capable of breaking down well-organized defenses.
Conclusion
AC Milan’s 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign ended in disappointment, with a series of poor decisions and missed opportunities contributing to their early exit from the competition. From inadequate squad planning and tactical rigidity under Pioli to mental lapses and individual errors on the field, Milan were left to rue their inability to capitalize on key moments in crucial matches. With the exit from the UCL, the club faces an urgent need to reassess their strategy, improve their squad depth, and ensure that they can once again compete at the highest level of European football.
