Milan's Issues Run Deeper Than Formation, Says Samuele Ricci After Udinese Defeat

Following a disheartening 3-0 loss to Udinese in Serie A, AC Milan midfielder Samuele Ricci expressed that the team's problems are more profound than just their tactical setup.

The defeat occurred at a critical juncture for the Rossoneri, who are already trailing Napoli and risk falling into a battle for a Champions League spot.

Ricci addressed the media, acknowledging the pre-match discussions about potentially shifting to a 4-3-3 formation to better utilize the squad's strengths in one-on-one situations. However, he emphasized that the nature of their recent performances indicates deeper issues that cannot be solved by a simple change in tactics.

“There’s been a lot of talk about changing the formation, because we have several players who are good at one-on-ones," Ricci stated. "But if you approach matches like this, it means there’s something wrong that goes beyond the formation. We’re very disappointed, we’re angry, there’s bitterness, for us and for the fans.”

The Italian international also called on his teammates to display more mental fortitude, suggesting that the team's current difficulties are rooted in their mindset.

“It won’t happen because we have 63 points, and there’s a reason why we have these points: this team has technical qualities, but now we need to bring out the human ones too," he added. "It’s a difficult moment, we need to show character, unite, analyze the mistakes. Then today we weren’t very present, I had this feeling.”

The remaining six games of the season are expected to be challenging for Milan, with difficult fixtures against Juventus and Atalanta, as well as tough encounters against Sassuolo and Genoa.

English Translation:

Following a disappointing 3-0 loss to Udinese in Serie A, Milan midfielder Samuele Ricci stated that the team's problems lie beyond their formation.

The defeat comes at a time when the Rossoneri cannot afford further setbacks, having already fallen behind Napoli and potentially facing a struggle for Champions League qualification.

Ricci spoke to the press, noting that while there was speculation about adopting a 4-3-3 formation to leverage players' individual abilities, the team's recent performances suggest more fundamental issues. He clarified that their struggles extend beyond tactical choices.

“There’s been a lot of talk about changing the formation, because we have several players who are good at one-on-ones," Ricci said. "But if you approach matches like this, it means there’s something wrong that goes beyond the formation. We’re very disappointed, we’re angry, there’s bitterness, for us and for the fans.”

Ricci also urged his teammates to demonstrate greater character, indicating that mentality is a key factor in their current struggles.

“It won’t happen because we have 63 points, and there’s a reason why we have these points: this team has technical qualities, but now we need to bring out the human ones too," he continued. "It’s a difficult moment, we need to show character, unite, analyze the mistakes. Then today we weren’t very present, I had this feeling.”

The end of the season is likely to be tough for Milan, with six games remaining, including challenging matches against Juventus and Atalanta, as well as difficult encounters against Sassuolo and Genoa.