Fabio Capello is baffled as to why Milan can’t play like they did in the final 20 minutes of their recent 3-2 loss against Atalanta for the full 90 minutes, but says that the ongoing crisis of Rossoneri results doesn’t surprise him: ‘The blame has to be shared, it’s not just one person who decides’.
Capello addresses Milan’s crisis of results: ‘Play like you did for the final 20 against Atalanta, but for the full 90 minutes’
Milan have been on a troubling run of form since beating rivals and recently-crowned Serie A champions Inter back in March. They have only won two of their eight matches since then, and have only picked up four points from their last six league outings.
Though they had been second in the league table in March, and despite the suggestions that they could mount a last-minute challenge for the Scudetto, Milan are now fourth, level on points with Roma in fifth, and are at risk of missing out on Champions League qualification heading into the final two matches of the season.
“The reality of the facts says that over the last four games, they have no longer fought, they’ve no longer shown the desire or determination needed to win. And we’ve all seen the results. All this does not surprise me,” said Capello in a damning interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’ve seen some players arguing and others losing the ball and not caring. Some who don’t care about helping out and aren’t interested in the defensive phase.”
So, how would Capello address the situation if he were in Massimiliano Allegri’s shoes?
“In terms of play, I would go back to having a team that plays vertically, which hasn’t happened. Most importantly, we need to see the Milan from the last half hour against Atalanta: A team that is eager, angry and determined. I hear some people saying that Atalanta helped the situation by trying to shut up shop, but that was also because of Milan.
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Strahinja Pavlovic of AC Milan scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“If the Rossoneri start from there, the results will come, but they have to put in 90 minutes like that, not just as a reaction to protests or boos.
“I don’t think that the coach hasn’t worked on this, but on the pitch, the players look like a disjointed team. Allegri clearly needs to say something in the dressing room.”
And what exactly should Allegri tell the Milan squad?
“Whatever the reason that led you to play that way for the final 20 minutes against Atalanta, now you have to do it for the full 90,” Capello said. “Was it anger? Show it throughout the game.”
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Capello does not agree with the suggestions that Milan are struggling physically, or in terms of fitness: “It’s not a physical problem. If they start running like crazy in the 80th minute, the explanation doesn’t hold up.”
So, does that mean that it’s a mentality issue?
“Certainly,” says Capello. “If the team is convinced that it can play like that in the last part of the Atalanta game, the two victories that they need will come.”
It was pointed out to Capello that Milan are also underperforming from a defensive point of view, even though there have been no major injury issues or personnel changes at the back.
“They’re playing badly because they are careless and because there is no protection from midfield. I no longer see Milan attack their opponents when they’re on the ball. Before, they used to press, even in the defensive phase.
“It’s a matter of team movements, and there’s a lack of desire and determination collectively too.”
MILAN, ITALY – MAY 10: Ederson of Atalanta scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Capello does not deny the fact that the buck ultimately stops with the head coach, Allegri: “Looking at the numbers, of course he is also to blame. He’s been unable to keep that high level of mentality.
“However, he has been talking for some time about reaching a certain target, giving precise indications and a precise message. Clearly, he’s seen something wrong with the team for quite a while.”
Capello believes that the responsibility lies with the players more than anybody else, though: “The coach isn’t the one who goes out onto the pitch, he only gives the instructions. If a player loses the ball and then doesn’t spring to get it back … That’s the gist of it.”
What is the biggest issue that faces Milan at the moment?
“They don’t score goals, it’s easy to say. Leao has scored nine in the league, but he can’t play up front like that. However, it’s reductive to always and only blame him, it’s everyone’s fault.”
Amidst the ongoing crisis, there have been calls for a major shake-up of the Milan senior management, which currently includes the likes of Giorgio Furlani, Igli Tare, Goeffrey Moncada and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
VERONA, ITALY – MARCH 17: Giorgio Furlani CEO of AC Milan interacts with Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Serie A TIM match between Hellas Verona FC and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 17, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“These are things that I read, but I don’t know,” said Capello. “Only those who experience this situation from the inside know. I can only say that the blame has to be shared. The faults lie with the leaders, who by definition are the ones who direct the operation. And then we go down the organisational chart. It’s not just one person who decides at Milan.”
