Paolo Di Canio has launched a scathing assessment of AC Milan's recent collapse, accusing the squad of lacking "identity" and "personality" as they stumble toward the finish line of the Serie A season.
The former West Ham and Serie A star didn't hold back, claiming that "many players do not have the stature suited to wearing such a heavy shirt" after Milan's latest defeat—a 3-2 loss to Atalanta on Sunday that saw them overtaken by Juventus for third place and caught by Roma for fourth.
Milan's slump has been nothing short of alarming. They've managed just one win in their last seven league matches, losing three of their last five. On Sunday at the San Siro, they found themselves 3-0 down before scoring twice in the dying minutes—a performance Di Canio described as "devastating" despite the late fightback.
"Zero identity, zero personality, zero enthusiasm. It was painfully obvious, despite the effort," Di Canio told Sky Sport Italia. "They lack personality, courage, and extra willingness to take responsibility. There was none of that at all today. That's the aggravating factor. I'm not fooled by the final minutes."
The Rossoneri still control their own destiny—two wins in their final two games would secure Champions League qualification thanks to a superior head-to-head record over Roma. But based on recent form, that's far from a guarantee.
Di Canio was particularly critical of the starting XI, noting that the substitutes looked better only because they "came on knowing they had nothing to lose." He added: "The five substitutes came on well, but if they had played like that all season, Milan would have solved their problems. In situations like these, you can see more clearly that many players do not have the stature suited to wearing such a heavy shirt in front of 70,000 fans at San Siro."
For a club with Milan's storied history—and a jersey that demands excellence—Di Canio's words cut deep. As the season reaches its critical final stretch, the question isn't just about Champions League qualification. It's about whether this squad has the mental fortitude to wear the famous red and black with the pride and personality that the shirt demands.