AC Milan’s early struggles in the Serie A season continued on Saturday with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Parma, a newly-promoted side that looked anything but inexperienced. The match, played at the Stadio Ennio Tardini, marked a significant setback for the seven-time European champions, who are still finding their feet under new head coach Paulo Fonseca.
Despite coming into the match as favorites, Milan found themselves outplayed for much of the game. Parma, showing no signs of being overawed by their illustrious opponents, took the lead early on, setting the tone for a lively encounter. The home side’s breakthrough came from Dennis Man, who capitalized on Milan’s defensive frailties to score from close range. Man’s goal sent the home crowd into raptures and signaled a challenging afternoon ahead for Fonseca’s men.
The match unfolded with Parma dictating the pace and creating the better chances, particularly in the first half. Their counter-attacks repeatedly caught Milan off guard, exposing the visiting side’s defensive vulnerabilities. Had Parma’s finishing been more clinical, they might have put the game beyond Milan’s reach by halftime. The newly-promoted side’s high energy and direct approach troubled Milan, who looked shaky and struggled to impose themselves on the game.
Milan, for their part, only began to show signs of life after the half-hour mark. It was then that they managed to test Parma’s goalkeeper, Zion Suzuki, with a flurry of attempts. Yet, even as they started to apply pressure, the Rossoneri were unable to translate their possession into clear-cut chances. Fonseca’s tactical adjustments saw Milan try to press higher up the pitch, but this left gaps at the back, which Parma almost exploited several times.
The equalizer for Milan came in the 66th minute, courtesy of Christian Pulisic, who has been one of the few bright spots for Milan so far this season. Pulisic, signed in the summer transfer window, showed his predatory instincts by pouncing on a loose ball and finishing clinically to level the scores. The goal provided a brief glimmer of hope for Milan and their travelling supporters, suggesting that they might salvage something from the game.
However, Parma quickly dispelled any notions of a Milan comeback. They continued to look dangerous on the break, exploiting the space left by Milan’s high press. It was one such counter-attack that led to the decisive goal. In the 77th minute, Pontus Almqvist, another summer acquisition, made a darting run down the right flank. His low cross was met perfectly by Matteo Cancellieri, who slotted home to give Parma the lead once again. This goal marked Cancellieri’s first for Parma since joining on loan from Lazio, highlighting his potential to be a key player for the club.
Cancellieri’s goal was a dagger to Milan’s ambitions, leaving Fonseca’s side with little time to respond. Despite some late pressure and a few half-chances, Milan were unable to find a way past Parma’s resolute defense. The final whistle was met with jubilation from the Parma faithful, who celebrated a memorable victory over one of Italian football’s giants.
In the aftermath of the defeat, Milan’s coach, Paulo Fonseca, didn’t mince his words. Speaking to DAZN, he accepted responsibility for the team’s poor performance, acknowledging that there were clear issues that needed addressing. “I can’t hide that it’s my responsibility, but it seems clear to me that we have a problem with defending and being aggressive,” Fonseca admitted. He pointed to the problems evident in their opening draw against Torino, where Milan also struggled defensively. “We had problems against Torino when we didn’t press very high. Today we tried to press higher and we still had problems,” Fonseca added. His comments underscore the challenges Milan face as they try to adapt to his tactical demands and recover from a sluggish start to the season.
Milan’s performance raised concerns among fans and pundits alike, not only because of the result but also due to the nature of their play. The Rossoneri looked disjointed at times, with a lack of cohesion between midfield and attack, and a defense that appeared vulnerable to swift counter-attacks. While it’s still early in the season, the signs are worrying for a team that has ambitions of challenging for domestic honors and making a mark in Europe.
Parma, on the other hand, can take immense pride in their performance.
