"Week 36 was nothing short of embarrassing. Atalanta took a 3-0 lead at the San Siro with very little emotion visible on the pitch. The tactics and formations and eventually the players themselves are on the verge of making this season a let down and a flop. The team now sits in fourth place tied with Roma and a mere two points ahead of Como in sixth place. Missing out on a top four Champions League spot is financially damaging but even more so it is a failure on all fronts."
"Protests against ownership, management, coaches and players are justified in that they all created this team very purposefully last summer. The mismanagement and various managerial chaos at the top filtered down to the transfer business and players but there is little doubt that the 23 man squad registered for the 2025-2026 season last September was very deliberate."
"Back to this match and the weekend before it. Three yellow cards in the loss to Atalanta mean that Leao, Saelemaekers and Esputinan are suspended for this match. The latter two might not have been starters for this Genoa trip and Leao neither but in the case of the Portuguese all signs point to a summer sale. Whether the player himself or the coach using him in a "defensive" 3-5-2 the current season has been a very poor one for the winger and presumed center forward."
"Maignan is of course in goal. Tomori back from a suspension is likely to start at the back with Gabbia and Pavlovic. Modric's absence has shuffled the midfield and it is thought there will be further changes from the Atalanta match as well. Athekame, Fofana, Ricci, Rabiot and Bartesaghi are the likeliest for the middle. At this point it is pick any two of Pulisic, Gimenez, Nkunku and Fullkrug for the front."
Atalanta took a 3-0 lead at the San Siro with little visible emotion, and the result deepened concerns about tactics, formations, and player performance. The team sits in fourth place tied with Roma, only two points ahead of Como in sixth, making a missed top-four Champions League spot financially damaging and a broader failure. Protests against ownership, management, coaches, and players are framed as justified due to deliberate squad building last summer and subsequent mismanagement affecting transfers and squad outcomes. For the next match, suspensions follow three yellow cards in the Atalanta loss, affecting Leao, Saelemaekers, and Esputinan. Maignan is expected in goal, Tomori returns, and midfield and forward roles remain uncertain due to Modric’s absence and possible further changes.
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