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Crisis at Milan: Out of the Champions League, Far from Europe, and Key Players Under Fire
Milan is experiencing one of its worst seasons in recent years. Far from the European spots in Serie A and eliminated early from the Champions League, the Lombard team is going through a tough period. Despite winning the Italian Super Cup in January, recent results have been disappointing, leaving them in ninth place in the league, six points away from a Conference League qualification spot.
One of the biggest blows of the season was their elimination in the Champions League playoffs against Feyenoord. After losing 1-0 in the first leg, the Italians responded quickly in the return match with a goal from Santiago Giménez, but everything changed in the second half. Theo Hernández, already on a yellow card, dived in the box trying to win a penalty and was sent off. With one man down, Milan ended up conceding a 1-1 draw and was knocked out of the competition. Since then, the team has suffered three consecutive league defeats.
Hernández and Maignan Under Fire
Milan fans have directly blamed Theo Hernández for the elimination, even booing him at San Siro. The Frenchman has been criticized for his poor performances, especially in the recent 1-2 loss to Lazio, where he failed to mark properly on the first goal. Italian media speculate that he could leave in the next summer transfer window. Mike Maignan, another key player, has also been far from his best form, making crucial mistakes in matches like the first leg against Feyenoord and the 2-1 defeat to Torino.
The arrival of Sérgio Conceição as head coach in 2025 has not yielded the expected results. The Portuguese manager, who replaced Paulo Fonseca, has failed to change the team’s momentum. Rumors suggest he has expressed frustration over the lack of support from the board, the poor physical conditioning of the squad, and a delayed winter transfer window.
With this difficult scenario, Milan is preparing to face Lecce in an atmosphere of total tension. For this match, both Theo Hernández and Rafael Leão could start on the bench, as the team desperately searches for a turnaround.
