A season of mediocrity awaits once again for those at the San Siro.
When one thinks of AC Milan, the first thoughts that come to mind are pride and success. Two values that have driven the club to stand as one of the cornerstones in world football. This is written not to sugar-coat the facts. This is written to express the frustration that millions of Rossoneri fans are experiencing worldwide. Since 2012, supporters have watched the once proud side fall to the position of being the laughing stock throughout the Serie A. Season after season, the position worsens and the direction taken by the board continues to nose-dive.
After the appointment of Sinisa Mihajlovic last season and the signings of Alessio Romagnoli, Carlos Bacca and Andrea Bertolacci, it seemed ike a new era was beginning – one of a revitalised squad under a tenacious manager with the heart of a lion. The team had been cleaned out, the future looked bright. Mr Bee, a Thai Billionaire, was set to take control and the club seemed to heading in a new direction. Well, that fell through. Mr Berlusconi was still in charge and the promised new funds never appeared.
A season of stability under a new manager was undermined by the actions of impatience by a Milan hierarchy. To be honest, 2015-16 was going pretty well. The Rossoneri had knocked off Inter by a three goal margin. Fiorentina was dispatched. They were competitive twice against Juventus but lacked finishing product. Games against Napoli and Roma finished in draws to be proud of. Mihajlovic did something that none of the previous managers since Ancelotti had the faith to do – he blooded youth. He put his faith in a 16-year-old goalkeeping phenomenon. He saw the potential in M’Baye Niang, Davide Calabria and got the best out of Giacomo Bonaventura, along with admirable efforts from an ageing Alex, Riccardo Montolivo, plus a revitalised Iganzio Abate and Keisuke Honda.
Yet, he was still sacked. There was a stage where Milan were struggling, however, the lack of faith in the coach was evident from day one. Months into his new job, speculation of an immediate sacking was already on the cards. Mihajlovic turned that around, but apparently losing to a Juventus side whom were saved by the heroics of Gianluigi Buffon was the final nail on the coffin. After going two months undefeated, it took three losses in five to dispatch of yet another coach. Yes, the others may have been justified. However, Mihajlovic was the man to lead the Rossoneri into the Europa League.
Once again the hierarchy hired a former Milan player as a replacement in Cristian Brocchi – leading to two wins in six outings and a near loss of the almost assured European position over a matter of weeks. Unfathomable, unbelievable and most of all an utter disgrace. Carpi, Hellas Verona and Frosinone all stood in the way and AC could not even beat one of them. A fight was put up to Juventus in the Coppa final, but ultimately it was not enough.
So what does Mr Berlusconi and Galliani decide? They decide to sack Brocchi and sell off the club to a new ‘Chinese consortium’. Well, the coaching stocks were improved with Vincenzo Montella, but this supposed consortium has not yet taken the reigns. As the coach’s transfer targets continue to be bought, Milan are left basically bust and in danger of losing more talent. Carlos Bacca – on the way out. Jeremy Menez – sold. Luiz Adriano is just another set to follow. What is left? A continuation of mediocrity in a defensive shamble of less than capable centre-back partners for Alessio Romagnoli. The midfield is still lacking quality, coupled with an attack which has yet to prove their credibility after the signing of Gianluca Lapadula and a return for Suso.
This is while Juan Cuadrado, Mateo Musacchio, Piotr Zielinski, Mateo Kovacic and Simone Zaza were all on the radar of interest. Interest? The consortium continues to delay proceedings for the formal takeover and in turn, players such as Marko Pjaca are lost to the grasps of our rivals. Also, an increased reliance on Gabriel Paletta, Andrea Poli and Alessandro Matri is needed to fill a squad, helping to exemplify our dire state in terms of player transfers.
Yes, Milan are currently in America and they beat Bayern. However, there is still something missing. The squad needs an overhaul in quality. There are those with the ability to turn a game on its head, but the Rossoneri are falling behind the rest. Sides like Sassuolo, Fiorentina, Inter and Torino will gain a significant edge, while Juventus, Napoli and Roma continue to embarrass them further.
Montella appears to be the right coach to lead the club, but he needs funds. He totally overhauled the Fiorentina squad and they improved significantly. Give this man resources and players. The results may in turn be greater than expected.
One can only expect another year of disappointment at this rate. Seeing the Milan news every morning with a lack of action can only depresses their fans further. The club has become the laughing stock of Europe, not associated with success anymore. Their downfall is becoming ever exposed and the Rossoneri is set to enter another season with a record low in season ticket holders – with even Portsmouth, a League Two English side, selling more. Disgraceful.