The RedBird managing partner left Reggio Emilia on Sunday night with his verdict already forming, according to Gazzetta’s player-by-player read of the Sassuolo draw. A 1-1 result at the Mapei Stadium had cost Milan two more points, and the paper’s Tuesday edition is the clearest signal yet of ownership-level dissatisfaction.
Cardinale is said to be disappointed with both the “defensive weakness” and the “development of the attack” after a summer in which Milan outspent any window in the club’s history. Milan lie fifth with 12 points from six matches, four behind leaders Inter.
Ramos isolated, Rabiot off the pace
The owner’s reading of the Sassuolo performance names names. Goncalo Ramos, the centre-forward signed to lead the line, was described as isolated and nowhere near sharp enough, almost never activated by the team around him. Adrien Rabiot, who put Milan ahead before Sassuolo equalised, was flagged for giving the ball away too often and arriving late to the play. Diego Moreira and Christian Pulisic were picked out as the only genuine positives.
Gazzetta frames the project as still “under construction” and writes that the “domination and spectacle” Ruben Amorim demands from his teams are “miles away”. The Portuguese, appointed by Milan in June, has been told by Cardinale that changes are needed.
Read also: “Best in the World”: Laporta Brushes Off Real Madrid Rivalry to Hail Flick’s Flying Barça
€50m already in the account
The money is there. Cardinale has injected €50m into the club’s coffers in recent weeks according to Gazzetta, with further funds signalled for the months ahead. The paper lists Sporting Lisbon defender Goncalo Inacio and Real Madrid forward Endrick among the names being studied for the January window; neither club has confirmed any talks.
Milan are unbeaten but have won only three of six league games. Their next fixture is at home to Atalanta at San Siro on Sunday 18 October.
Read also: Piganzoli credits Vingegaard for his breakout Visma season: ‘He’s a role model and an inspiration’
