Costacurta: A mistake Milan ‘can’t afford to make’, one player showing the ‘right attitude’

Costacurta: A mistake Milan ‘can’t afford to make’, one player showing the ‘right attitude’ Legendary former Milan defender Alessandro Costacuruta has examined where things went wrong for the Rossoneri in their 2-0 defeat against Ferencvaros in the Europa League earlier this week and has identified the one ‘mistake’ the players ‘can’t afford to make’. Costacurta criticises Milan players’ attitude and warns: “Some of them though they’d already become big players” The bubble of positivity that surrounded Milan after their 3-1 Derby della Madonnina victory over Inter last weekend was promptly burst after a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home against underdogs Ferencvaros in the Europa League on Thursday. This was the team’s third defeat in four European matches so far this season and has left them at risk of missing out on qualification for the knock-out rounds. MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 05: Lenny Joseph of Ferencvarosi TC scores his team’s second goal under pressure from Mario Gila of AC Milan during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AC Milan and Ferencvarosi TC at Stadio San Siro on November 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Questions have been asked of the players’ mentality and attitude heading into the Ferencvaros match, and Costacurta believes that certain individuals ‘already thought they’d become big players, and that is a serious mistake’. Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport , Costacurta said that: “Keeping the same intensity that they had against Inter would have been difficult. But at the end of the day, that’s the difference between a team that wins and one that doesn’t. “Within four days of the 3-1 win over Inter, some of them thought they’d already become big players, and that’s a serious mistake. Thinking you’ve already reached a certain height can be fatal. You think you can do things easily, that you will always succeed, and that’s a mistake you can’t afford to make.” Asked which players disappointed him the most with their attitude and performance, Costacurta said: “Musah, a few minutes into the game loses the ball cheaply. Diawara comes carrying the ball out from the back and then throws it away. Cisse receives the ball to feet without ever creating any trouble. ITALY – NOVEMBER 05: Lenny Joseph of Ferencvarosi TC is challenged by Yunus Musah of AC Milan during the UEFA Europa League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between AC Milan and Ferencvarosi TC at Stadio San Siro on November 05, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “I’ve framed these three, but it wasn’t all their fault, but it’s also clear that they didn’t start with the right mentality.” He was then asked whether he, like many following the Ferencvaros defeat, feels that there is an attitude problem with Milan’s rotation or second-choice players. “I wouldn’t say that Musah is a second-string player. A lot of the youngsters made mistakes, yes, but it wasn’t only them. “In my opinion, Rabiot was the worst on the pitch. We’re talking about a leader here, one of the best midfielders in the world. The blame should be equally distributed. It was bad from the youngsters, but also bad from those who should have gone up to them and told them to wake up. ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 20, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) “This doesn’t mean that we should just reject certain players permanently, though. We’re still waiting for answers, though: We can admit and forgive poor technical choices, but we can’t forgive poor attitude. That always has to be right if you play for Milan. “I’m saying this as someone with a deep connection with these colours, you always have to play as if you’re facing Inter and always try to put your opponent in difficulty. On Thursday, it was obvious to everyone that this didn’t happen.” On the same evening as the Ferencvaros defeat, Alphadjo Cisse was called up to the Italy national team squad for the first time. He was hooked at half-time on Thursday evening and is one of the players that has faced the most criticism since then. ITALY – OCTOBER 28: Alphadjo Cisse of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 28, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Costacurta was asked whether this was the right time to hand Cisse his first Italy call-up. He said: “I understand Mancini’s decisions, he’s always trying to scout new players. If you have less options than before, it makes sense to try and develop someone.” Lastly, Costacurta was asked if there are any players in the current Milan squad who are showing the right attitude. “I’d say Pavlovic, who is always attentive, showing the attitude that everyone needs to have. It might be easier to have that as a starter, but at the same time, anyone who is given the chance should want to breathe fire and command the pitch when called upon.”