Milan's inability to back up strong domestic performances with European consistency has become the defining problem of their season. Three days after beating Inter 3-1 in the derby, they produced one of their worst displays of the campaign, losing 2-0 at home to Ferencvaros. It is their third defeat in four Europa League matches and leaves them 24th in the competition table, with playoff qualification now in serious doubt.

Ruben Amorim offered no excuses after the match, saying his side were not ready to play football. That kind of blunt assessment points to a mental and attitudinal problem rather than a purely tactical one, and it is a concern that has surfaced repeatedly this season. The squad's depth is also being questioned, with the rotation used against Ferencvaros exposing clear quality gaps when key players are rested.

The injury situation is adding to the pressure. Samuel Chukwueze faces a potentially season-ending hip problem, with reports suggesting he may require surgery and is unlikely to return before 2027. Strahinja Pavlovic, one of the more reliable figures in defence, is now a doubt for Sunday's Serie A trip to Genoa. Koni De Winter, who struggled badly against Ferencvaros, has also refused a Belgium call-up, drawing a public warning from national coach Mark van Bommel.

Milan sit fifth in Serie A with 21 points from 10 games. The visit to Genoa offers a chance to restore confidence before the situation in Europe deteriorates further.