This summer, AC Milan have been tasked with several big signings to make. So far, they have. However, they need more.
So far, this summer has been quite strong. Both the midfield and defence have received attention, and there is confidence in both areas. Though the same cannot be said for the front line just yet. Milan need some reinforcement, that much is clear.
Read SempreMilan ad-free and get access to exclusive news. Click here for a free trial!
It is not through a lack of trying, though. The Rossoneri have ambitious targets and have waited to see if their situations develop. Now, with time running out, though, decisions have to be made, and the Diavolo have a choice of two.
Bierhoff’s outlook
Rasmus Hojlund and Dusan Vlahovic are the leading ideas, though one is currently being more heavily favoured. Today, former Milan great Oliver Bierhoff spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport about the situation and what must happen this season.
How do you see Milan?
“We’re coming off a very difficult season. Our goal must be high — the Champions League — but we need to be more consistent and concrete.”
AC Milan could use a centre-forward like you…
“There aren’t many centre-forwards who are good in the air these days. Not even in Germany. In recent years, the emphasis has been more on ball possession and organisation, but I think we’ll soon have to go back a bit.
“Against such tightly packed and well-prepared defences, you need someone who can resolve the situation with a cross or a high ball. This also applies to defenders, who may be good at creating a unit but less capable individually.”
The discussion on headers is broader today; they could hurt…
“I know, but I also remember our Uwe Seeler, a very good centre-forward in the air: he trained with heavy balls to learn how to strike, he lived to be eighty-five. I don’t know…”
Who is the best 9 today?
“I’d say Haaland, but he’s better than me, more dynamic. You can see he knows how to move inside and outside the box, he sees space, and he knows how to create depth. I was more of a box-to-box player.”
In “his” Milan, he talks about Hojlund and Vlahovic…
“I’ll start by saying that I know very little about Hojlund, so it wouldn’t be serious to judge him. Vlahovic, yes, has been playing in Italy for a long time, so there shouldn’t be any problems adapting. But one thing is often forgotten: you need a team that plays for the number 9, that creates situations with crosses, passes, and manoeuvres.
“I remember that, when my teams had problems, I wasn’t at my best either. It’s not just about the centre forward.”
At Milan, there was also Maldini, who now can’t find, let’s say, a team…
“I often talk to Paolo. He’s had a great career, and you can’t expect a new role to start from scratch. We need people like him. I’d see him doing well in my role, in the national team, with his experience. But wherever he goes, he should feel free to express his opinions.”
Gattuso, now Italy’s coach, was also at AC Milan. Surprised?
“No, and I’m happy for Rino. When he arrived at Milan, he wasn’t considered a ‘big name,’ but he’s grown and become a great player. I’d love to see him again and talk football with him. I hope Italy qualifies; I assure you, we all want the Azzurri to play at the World Cup.
“I’d be ready to play for him. I don’t know if he’s up for it. But, if I remember correctly, Rino needs to be a little careful about his weight…”
Hopefully, one of the new additions can provide some aid in the race for the Champions League this season.
“But one thing is often forgotten: you need a team that plays for the number 9, that creates situations with crosses, passes, and manoeuvres.”
I’ve been saying this for a while.
People talk about a n9 curse when almost every n9 Milan has had over the last dozen years was surrounded with players that can’t or wont pass , cross the ball. Milan has had very few creative, skilled players over the same period. Just runners. People act like Milan strikers miss a lot of chances. They rarely are in a position to score.
You could had Haaland and Lewandowski at Milan since 2012 and they’d have hard time scoring.
What? Giroud missed an ungodly amount of clear chances. His conversion rate was below average and nowhere close to top strikers. Stats are there…That means he was supplied but couldn’t hit the target way too many times. If you’re talking only about last season that is different.
Haaland would score 25 goals on Girouds 15. That is the difference.
Why do you even root for Milan, if you indeed do and you’re not just trolling and trying to sound smart (nice try, but no)? You’re always negative about everything, always bashing the team and the players. No performance is good enough for you. Players are all lazy or weak, in your opinion. Is there any Milan player you actually like?
What’s the point of this attitude? Football is for entertainment. Do you even enjoy yourself when you watch Milan games, with all this dark cloud??? You must be such a joy in parties! [insert rolling eyes here]
You always sound angry and bitter. I suggest you go root for the Nazis from Lazio, Cagliari or Hellas Verona; they seem to be an angry bunch too. You’d fit right in.
Gosh, you’re so insufferable! I’ll just stop reading your posts for good. In the future, every time I will see Z on this site, I’ll just skip. Because you never add anything of value to any discussion so I won’t be missing anything.
I wish this site had an “Ignore” function, but I’ll make my own by just not reading you. You can have the last word; you can go ahead and call me a fanboy (how predictable!); I frankly couldn’t care less.
Have a nice life, if you can. Over and out.
Ewww, another sunshine and rainbows “supporter”. Sorry bro but why in gods name wouldn’t the supporter of a club that has been as pathetic as Milan be anything but negative and angry? Do you even pay attention? We are currently owned by one of the BROKEST owners in top flight European football and it shows BIG TIME. This article is a joke to begin with as it starts out “Oh this summer mercato has been very strong”. Huh?! Is this a joke? We’re one of the wealthiest clubs in Europe and finished 8th in a TERRIBLE Serie A. Any DECENT owner would be EMBARRASSED by this and pull out all the stops in making sure such an embarrassment never happens again under their watch. What did we get instead? We got literal MONTHS of haggling with tiny old Brugge over a couple million dollars for a player who honestly didn’t even have that many suitors. We also got a cheap LB, who again NO ONE ELSE WANTED. And we only got a new CB once Red Bird ABSOLUTELY FLEECED Newcastle into taking Thiaw for $40+! Did they invest that money back into a highly touted CB like Leoni?! Nope just another cheap, weak addition, a player without any other suitors. We haven’t even gotten to all the money Elliot/RedBird have made off sales this summer! They’re $50mill in the green right now and that’s PATHETIC. A Club like Milan should EASILY be losing $50-$70mill per year on transfers, EVEN without UCL money that is a completely reasonable figure. But because our owner is broke and doesn’t have money to spend I would be SHOCKED if he green lights another $100mill on the necessary additions before the end of the mercato. And in conclusion THAT right there, even if NOTHING else upsets you about this club, the fact that the owner is going to get away without spending money on additions this summer after an 8th place finish! THAT should make you PLENTY SICK my friend.
Owner spend their money ????? Dude you live on 1980 -1990 ??? You dont know there is rule called FFP ? So which one in serie A owner use their money for transfer player ? Look at monza , they only buy cheap player , not using berlusconi money from beginning
The problem is he made it up. If Haaland or Lewandowski played at Milan they wouldn’t have a single under 35+ total goals and Leao/Pulisic would have double assists. But Giroud was on pair with worst strikers in top leagues in his conversion rate.
I agree with Mr Bierhoff, strikers work and function with the whole team, especially the midfielders. But we must also recognize the fact that a good striker should be able to create an unexpected spark at times when creativity from the midfield is lacking or minimal. Mr Oliver Giroud is a perfect example, he could be a box to box champion like Mr Bierhoff, but bro pulled stunts at various occasions to score and create chances for us during our last Seria a triumph. Let’s all hope for the best, the minimum standard is the champions league, but the ultimate goal must be seria a. Forza Milan!! Jesus loves you all!!
His conversion rate was abysmally bad. He got down to 12% in one season. Haalands is double. Lewandowski at 35 has 18-19%. The myth of Giroud is amazing, but a top striker would have 20+ goals in Serie A easy, every season of those 3. Only in last season where he had 8 assists as well he was actually good.
There are teams that have over 12%, and that includes defenders and midfielders taking long range shots. Giroud was on pair with that.
Why can’t we the fan’s decide on the players we want and the management should get them for us.