Filippo Inzaghi Under Most Pressure for AC Milan Following Loss to Sassuolo

Twelve months ago, AC Milan lost away to Sassuolo. It was the end for coach Max Allegri.

The Rossoneri started 2015 the same way, except this time the defeat came at home. 

The fans witnessed yet another hiccup in Filippo Inzaghi’s first season as coach, and even though his job is not exactly in danger, it’s starting to cause some concern.

This is a team without any rhythm, and every match they play a different tune. They beat Napoli and drew at Roma to end 2014, and then dropped points to a side below them in the table. Milan lack any kind of steady progress. One step forward, another back.

Week to week, Milan get different results. Their record is all over the place.

It’s hard to gauge what this team is really about. It’s even harder for them to win two games in a row, which they have done on just two occasions. That they are still within five points of a Champions League spot is a bit of a wonder.

Add to that the fact they keep on making the same mistakes. Against Sassuolo, Milan had problems clearing their lines, marking their man and keeping the ball. They fell apart and lost all composure after conceding one goal. They conceded yet another goal off a corner (even if it was a rocket off the foot of Simone Zaza). And they were scrambling for the ball, always chasing the play, never really dominating it. 

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AC Milan goals against from corners: 2014/15 in 17 matches: 6 2013/14 in 38 matches: 2

— Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) January 6, 2015"

Halfway through the season, there is no apparent plan. Halfway through the season, there is still panic in their eyes.

The match against Sassuolo mirrored the season so far. Milan started with some oomph and scored the early goal, but then they trailed off and lost all control of the game.

“When a team is in the process of renewal,” Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia on Tuesday (h/t Football Italia), “unfortunately that means going through these peaks and troughs.”

But in order for there to be a process, there has to be some gradual improvement. Unfortunately, Inzaghi has not yet established a side that plays with confidence or any particular brand of football. It just seems like patchwork, which is exactly what Milan are anyway. That’s what a lack of investment buys.

Luca Bruno/Associated Press

Still, the 41-year-old is not getting the best out of what he has. Two beacons of the future are dimming: Stephan El Shaarawy continues to drift in and out of matches, and Mattia De Sciglio continues to commit fouls after losing his man. They both look lost, and they both look less and less like stars of the future.

The defence is so shaky and injury-prone that there is no one solid partnership. When they tried to defend, it's like pinball: It's just madness.

Really, it’s as if Milan just started the season. The players are playing like they don’t know each other.

Inzaghi will have more and more problems as more faces come through the transfer window. He first must find a spot for Alessio Cerci, who looks badly out of shape. This is a project on the go, but it still feels like the beginning.