Analysis: Is the end near for AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri?

Rossoneri fall to defeat and suffer fifth defeat of season.

Following the 2-0 defeat to Fiorentina at San Siro on Saturday night, AC Milan are in crisis and Massimiliano Allegri’s job is now very much under threat.

The Rossoneri suffered their fifth defeat of the season which now leaves them 16 points adrift of the top three in Italy with their Champions League hopes rapidly disappearing

However, with the outcry from supporters calling for an end to the Allegri era on Saturday night, it is understood that the club will enter a training retreat ahead of the Barcelona game on Wednesday with their current coach still at the helm.

Allegri described the loss to Fiorentina as the “worst moment of my three and a half years at Milan” according to Football Italia, with accusations that he has perhaps lost the faith of the players who didn’t appear to be responding during the defeat.

As a result, the blame should perhaps be shared by them after failing to react to the current struggles, while the club’s management also faced criticism from the supporters on Saturday night over their dealings in the summer.

The Curva Sud unveiled a banner during the second half which pointed out that the front office had ignored their advice over strengthening the defence and midfield this past summer, with Milan ultimately signing Alessandro Matri.

While Adil Rami will be available in January, it is felt that the damage has already perhaps been done with Milan facing an uphill struggle to catch the likes of Roma, Napoli and Juventus.

Regardless of the threat of not having Champions League football next season, the financial implications will also be dire for the club and it is the result of failures at almost every level of the club.

Mario Balotelli will miss next weekend’s clash against Chievo after picking up a senseless booking, and his disappointing recent form has also contributed to Milan’s downfall. Furthermore, the continuing injury problems have not helped, with the medical staff perhaps accountable too.

Having shown a talent for stopping Barcelona in recent years, Allegri will need a result on Wednesday night to silence the critics baying for his resignation.

Should he survive beyond Wednesday, then the game against Chievo becomes vitally important for his future at the club. Anything but a win could well spell the end of his tenure at Milan.