Milan 0-3 Udinese – Ricci says ‘the fans don’t deserve this’ as Rabiot slams Leao critics

Two of Milan’s players fronted up after the humiliating home defeat to Udinese, with Samuele Ricci and Adrien Rabiot delivering honest and at times emotional post-match assessments, the latter taking particular exception to the jeers directed at Rafael Leão from the San Siro faithful.

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Ricci was forthright in his comments, refusing to hide behind excuses while acknowledging the difficulty of Milan’s current moment.

“It was a bad defeat, a night to forget,” he said, via MilanNews.it.

“We did not play terribly, but conceding three goals at home on a night when we could have sent a signal was not good enough. The only thing to do now is stick together.”

He also acknowledged a wider issue beyond tactics or formation.

“If we approach games like this, it means something is wrong that goes beyond the system. We are angry, we are bitter, for ourselves and for the supporters.”

Milan 0-3 Udinese – Ricci & Rabiot: ‘Fans’ boos were justified’

On the supporters’ reaction, Ricci was unequivocal.

“Given the performance, I think the boos were justified. Milan fans always deserve to win and it is right that they whistled us.”

Rabiot, speaking to Sky Sport, was equally candid about the collective drop in standards, including his own.

“We have all made mistakes, myself first,” he said, again via MilanNews.it.

“I also lost clarity on certain things. I lost the lucidity to look around and tell others to stay more concentrated.” He attributed the wider slump to a combination of physical and mental fatigue, pointing to a loss of defensive solidity as the root cause. “When we defend well we find goals and we win. Today we were disorganised.”

His sharpest words, however, were reserved for those in the crowd who directed criticism at Leão.

“What disappointed me were the whistles at Leão,” Rabiot said. “In my opinion we need to help him, support him, and this does not help him. We are all in this together until the end. It was a bit ugly to see.”