Joao Felix slammed by media after Milan flop performance | OneFootball

Among the verdicts passed down by the Italian media on Milan’s 1-0 defeat to Atalanta, the performance of Joao Felix drew particular vitriol. ‘He can happily return’ to Chelsea.

The Rossoneri were left languishing in ninth place in the Serie A table following last night’s home loss.

It means their best hope of qualifying for Europe now is to win the Coppa Italia, where they will face Inter in the semi-final on Wednesday.

All the players came in for criticism from the Italian media, but few more than Joao Felix, who made a decidedly undistinguished 15-minute cameo performance off the bench.

Joao Felix fails to make any impact at Milan

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Joao Felix of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

“Calling on him was a desperate move and it didn’t work. A lost gamble, he can happily return to where he came from,” wrote the Corriere della Sera.

“In for Alex Jimenez, he was supposed to add quality and initiative, but 15 minutes was more smoke than fire. Perfectly reflecting his season with the Rossoneri,” added La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Since the loan move from Chelsea at a cost of €5.5m for six months, Joao Felix has made 14 competitive appearances for Milan, contributing one goal and one assist.

He had started very well, finding the net on his debut in the 3-1 Coppa Italia semi-final victory over Roma, but has been thoroughly anonymous ever since.