Montolivo identifies chronic attacking deficit as Milan’s primary structural weakness
Riccardo Montolivo says Olivier Giroud’s brilliance concealed long-term forward line issues, urging patience for young midfielders amid outgoing coach Massimiliano Allegri’s departure.
Former AC Milan captain Riccardo Montolivo has pinpointed the club’s persistent attacking deficiencies as the critical area requiring strategic investment in the upcoming summer transfer window. Speaking in an interview with gianlucadimarzio.com, as reported by MilanNews.it, Montolivo argued that the forward line has represented a recurring structural weakness for the club for many years, a problem that only recently culminated in what he described as a season of collapse.
Montolivo suggested that the severity of this long-standing issue was previously obscured by the individual excellence of Olivier Giroud during his tenure at the club. He noted that Giroud’s “fantastic seasons” effectively hid the underlying lack of offensive potency, but insisted that decisive action must now be taken up front to rectify the imbalance.
The assessment comes as the club prepares for a transition period with outgoing coach Massimiliano Allegri. Montolivo stopped short of attributing the season’s failings solely to the manager, describing Allegri as a “very high-level coach.” However, he acknowledged an “obvious decline” in performance and emphasised that the squad will undoubtedly require strengthening to compete in the next campaign.
Beyond the tactical and personnel concerns regarding the attack, Montolivo directed his attention to the development of younger players within the midfield. He offered public support to Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci, urging them not to lose confidence after a difficult season characterised by a lack of continuity and limited opportunities.
Montolivo highlighted that Jashari faced additional setbacks, including an early-season injury, but maintained that both players possess significant value and deserve a second chance. He called for patience from the club’s hierarchy, arguing that these young midfielders are essential to the team’s future stability and should not be discarded following a single underwhelming year.
The former Italy international, who captained the side at San Siro and described his time at the club as a “lifelong dream fulfilled,” framed his comments as a call for institutional resilience. His remarks underscore the need for a coherent long-term strategy that addresses both the immediate need for attacking reinforcement and the nurturing of emerging talent amidst a period of transition.
