AC Milan were once again beaten in a key tie in Serie A, a defeat that not only gave Inter Milan a historic away win but also pushed the Rossoneri to an unprecedented low. When Stefano Pioli was in the dugout, history was written with a heart-wrenching statistic.
Stefano Pioli's managerial record in the Milan derby is now particularly glaring, with his name tied to a series of embarrassing records. The former Nerazzurri is now the coach who has lost the most games in Milan derby history. According to statistics, during Pioli's tenure at the helm of Milan, AC Milan have won six consecutive derby battles, a phenomenon that is the first in the club's history, and its 10 derby defeats are also the highest among two Milan managers.
Pioli did not attend a press conference after the decisive battle, and his derby record was fixed at three wins, two draws and 10 defeats, including a total defeat on multiple fronts in Serie A, Coppa Italia and the Super Cup. The string of defeats has undoubtedly revealed the strategic failure and psychological dilemma of the Pioli era against Inter Milan.
Here is the full result of the Pioli derby:
9/02/2020, Inter Milan 4-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
17/10/2020, Inter Milan 1-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
26 January 2021, Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan (Coppa Italia)
21 February 2021, AC Milan 0-3 Inter Milan (Serie A)
7/11/2021, AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan (Serie A)
5/02/2022, Inter Milan 1-2 AC Milan (Serie A)
1/03/2022, AC Milan 0-0 Inter Milan (Coppa Italia)
19/04/2022, Inter Milan 3-0 (Coppa Italia)
3 September 2022, AC Milan 3-2 Inter Milan (Serie A)
18/01/2023, AC Milan 0-2 Inter Milan (Italian Super Cup)
5 February 2023, Inter Milan 1-0 AC Milan (Serie A)
10/05/2023, AC Milan 0-2 Inter Milan (UEFA Champions League)
16/05/2023, Inter Milan 1-0 AC Milan (UEFA Champions League)
16/09/2023, Inter Milan 5-1 AC Milan (Serie A)
22/04/2024, AC Milan 1-2 Inter Milan (Serie A)
Once upon a time, Pioli earned the approval of Milan fans for his hard work and achievements, however, the team's powerlessness in derbies is growing day by day, and there seems to be an insurmountable psychological gap between the coach and the players. Pioli's grip in the dressing room has clearly been shaken, and the trust and cohesion of the past are gradually crumbling.
The back-to-back defeats in derbies have not only highlighted AC Milan's tactical problems, but also triggered in-depth thinking about the team's overall rebuilding and future direction. Throughout the season, Inter Milan have shown a unique tactical style and athleticism, with German giants Bayer Leverkusen at the heart of their iconic back three and a build-up force in midfield. With the introduction of the five-substitution rule, the two teams have made full use of the diversity and flexibility of their flankers, and have continued to broaden their tactical dimension.
Compared to Bayer Leverkusen's sharper and more ornamental attacking system, Inter Milan stood out for their lightning-fast and unmistakable attack, especially in the attacking moments triggered by quick passing and precise coordination, and their performance was among the best in Europe.
As for the contest, Inter undoubtedly dominated the game with an unshakable momentum, building an undisputed 2-0 lead within 50 minutes, and even if they temporarily surrendered possession to their opponents, they did not show the slightest nervousness, convinced that the victory was certain.
Fikayo Tomori's header into the net was a logical outcome, given Milan's history of using set-pieces, especially corners, to score from inside the box by centre-backs, but it was only a few bright spots in the game.
Milan did not show any real determination to reverse the situation in this matchup, while Inter were confident and undaunted. It is worth mentioning that in the psychology of the derby, Stefano Pioli's AC Milan seem to be obsessed with declaring that they are experiencing a meaningful local game in an almost rugged and even fierce confrontational way. However, in terms of substance, Milan's performance was particularly weak. Not only did it continue its six-game losing streak against Inter, but from the perspective of on-field performance, the gap between the two teams has not narrowed, but has shown a trend of further expansion.
Judging from Pioli's post-match performance, he may have a premonition that this chapter of his coaching career is coming to an end, and the haze of layoffs is like a hanging sword, which may fall at any time.
Objectively speaking, one of Pioli's great strengths is his tolerance for his players and the harmony he has created in the team, and despite the emotional and tactical struggles of the AC Milan players today, the team did not collapse completely, which is acceptable given previous heavy defeats (e.g. 5-1).
However, its obvious shortcomings should not be overlooked: Pioli's tactical deployment is too straightforward, both offensive and defensive, over-relying on the individual ability of individual players, and lacking flexibility and targeted design at the strategic level. Especially in the face of Inter Milan, who have high tactical literacy, a main three-back system and strong midfield control, Pioli's tactical arrangement is obviously inadequate, and it is difficult to break through the opponent's defensive shackles.
Inter Milan showed their tactical execution and versatility in the derby, with precise possession, efficient passing and the speed with which they quickly switched attacks, all of which proved their superior quality. In this contest, Inter Milan almost completely suppressed AC Milan, the defense was solid, the attack was sharp, the clever use of five new rules, and the frequent dispatch of wide players to impact the opponent's defense. In contrast, AC Milan have had few opportunities to organise an effective attack or materially threaten the opposition goal, apart from Tomori's header from set-pieces.
Stefano Pioli's AC Milan seem to have been caught in a sort of derby cycle, with an over-reliance on physical confrontation and mental fortitude, but a significant lapse in technical and tactical preparation and on-the-spot command has led directly to their six-game losing streak in derby. This series of defeats is not just the result of a few individual games, but also reflects the gradual opening of the balance of power, which raises questions about Pioli's effectiveness in tactical conception and actual command.
With the prospect of Pioli leaving at the end of the season, Gerry Cardinale has begun to pick a new manager to lead the Rossoneri into a revival. From Julen Lopetegui to Conceiço, from Amorim to Xavi, the names of many outstanding coaches at home and abroad have surfaced, and according to Corriere della Sera, foreign coaches seem to be the preferred direction for AC Milan in the future.
Under the pressure of an early Europa League exit and back-to-back derby defeats, Pioli's days with the Rossoneri appear to be in the countdown stages. Last night's game was not only a severe test of Pioli's coaching career, but also a key point in the club's hierarchy's strategic adjustment for the future. The club's CEO, Frani, has made it clear that it will be Cardinal Gerry Cardinale who will make the final decision on the new coach.
At the moment, AC Milan are faced with a double task - to secure a runners-up finish in Serie A and at the same time start preparations for a new era. With the likes of Julen Lopetegui and Fonseca on the horizon, the battle for future coaching spots for the Rossoneri is intensifying. However, whoever succeeds them will have to shoulder the responsibility of closing the huge gap with Inter Milan, while also leaving their own chapter in the Rossoneri's illustrious history.
At the end, we can't help but ask: who can be the "Mr. X" who awakens the sleeping dragon? Who can lead AC Milan out of the doldrums and restart the championship journey under Cardinale's strategy? This change of manager that will affect the fate of the Rossoneri has become the focus of heated discussions among fans and the industry, and we are looking forward to the moment when it is revealed.