AC Milan’s convincing 4-0 win over Udinese is a massive step in their charge towards European success. Although the team lost their goalkeeper early in the second half, quick-fire goals from Rafael Leao and Strahinja Pavlovic secured a first win in over a month.
Milan is 9th in the league table with 51 points after playing 32 games. In such a position, the Rossoneri’s hope for European competitions relies on winning the Coppa Italia domestic cup. Keep reading this article to find out more.
A Tight Race for Europe
The 2024-25 Serie A has become one of the most balanced in recent memory. Thanks to the success of summer recruitments, there is a resurgence of performers and unexpected challenges.
Standings and Point Gaps
As stated earlier, AC Milan is in ninth place after 32 games. They are eight points off fourth-placed Juventus, who are also looking to qualify for the Champions League next season. The defending champions, Inter Milan, lead the table with 71 points, but are only three points ahead of Napoli.
Crucial Upcoming Fixtures
After finishing the second last season, AC Milan is languishing in the mid-table after a string of poor performances. Their only hope of qualifying for Europe is winning the Coppa Italia. Luckily, they are currently in the semi-finals, where they will play Inter Milan. Bettors can find the best odds at the betting operators using the sports odds API from Odds88. If AC Milan wins, they will face Bologna or Empoli in the finals.
Semi‑final Showdown with Inter Milan
Following a 1-1 draw with Inter Milan in the first leg of the Coppa Italia, AC Milan will be looking for a win to keep their European hopes alive. They will be looking to build on their manager’s recent success and new tactics.
Resilience Amidst Setbacks
Although AC Milan is working towards European success, the team has faced several setbacks. However, the team has shown it has enough depth to change the outcome of any game.
Key Injury Challenges
During the recent win over Udinese, Mike Maignan suffered an injury and was carried off the pitch. This was after a collision with Alex Jimenez, his AC Milan teammate. Following the head injury, Maignan was taken to the hospital and is expected back soon.
Response on the Pitch
Despite the setback, the AC Milan team showed resilience in the games. They were 2-0 up before the injury and extended their lead with two more goals. The fans were also crucial, applauding the goalkeeper as he left the pitch.
Tactical Evolution Under Sérgio Conceição
As a new manager, Sergio Conceição brings new tactics to AC Milan. The team’s structure has changed from the previous 4-2-3-1 formation to a more compact 4-4-2 while defending.
Formation Adjustments
Here are more improvements the new manager has made to boose their chances of winning the Coppa Italia this season.
Midfield Structure
Sergio Conceição’s system has two midfielders, Tijjani Reijnders and Yunus Musah. Their primary roles are to break up opposition plays and initiate quick counters. These two’s tactical awareness is key to maintaining the team’s compact shape while facilitating quick transitions.
Defensive Line Changes
The defensive line has also seen adjustments under the new manager. With the addition of experienced players like Kyle Walker, the backline is now stable and versatile. Additionally, following the injury of goalkeeper Maignan, young Marco Sportiello has filled the position.
Impact of New Signings and Squad Depth
The January winter transfer window saw new additions to the AC Milan squad. Some came on permanent deals while others signed a six-month contract with an option to buy. The team spent approximately €36.45 million on all transfers.
Winter Transfers
AC Milan made a few changes to bolster its squad for the second half of the 2024-25 season. Six players were added, three on loan and three on permanent deals. Eight players also left the club, mostly on loan to recoup the net spending of the transfers.
|
Player |
Transfer |
|
Kyle Walker |
|
|
Santiago Gimenez |
Signed for €28.5 million from Feyenoord |
|
Warren Bondo |
Signed for €10 million from Monza |
|
Joao Felix |
Six-month loan from Chelsea |
|
Riccardo Sottil |
Six-month load from Fiorentina |
|
Nicola Zalewski |
Dry load from Roma |
Youth Breakthrough
Apart from the winter transfers, the AC Milan academy produces some top talents. These players are considered rising stars and will soon break into the first team. The list below includes goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards.
- Maximilian Ibrahimovic
- Francesco Camarda
- Noah Raveyre
- Lorenzo Torriani
Looking ahead
AC Milan has shown resilience after a bad start to the 2024-25 Serie A season. They dropped to the mid-table after finishing among the top teams last season. However, their European ambitions are still balanced with dual opportunities.
The team can qualify by winning the remaining games and hoping to climb to the top four, but this seems unlikely. Another option is to win the Coppa Italia, where they play AC Milan in the upcoming fixture. The team has a good chance of qualifying with a new manager and changes to its formation.
