AC Milan will be without Europe next season after finishing outside of the European places and failing to win the Coppa Italia.
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As a statement alone, it is rather bleak. Milan will be without any European competition, a true fall from the past few years, represented in every sense. The damages will be felt and seen everywhere, both tangibly and financially.
However, it can be a benefit.
This season’s proof
Antonio Conte’s Napoli won the Scudetto this season, after failing to qualify for Europe. Of course, there are debates to be had about the quality of the squad available, and much more. However, the basics are the same.
So, the Rossoneri could take inspiration from the workings of his squad and mercato movements, perhaps. Not getting Europe is not a guarantee for a better season, though. However, Fabio Capello also believes it can be a strength, as he told Gazzetta dello Sport, via Milan News.
“Is it an advantage for Milan? At the start, I don’t know. Because you could also arrive on the wave of what you prepared in America, and get back into shape more easily. In the long run, however, you can feel a bit tired.”
Next season’s start
Milan’s fixtures were revealed last night, and the opening half is certainly not the easiest run with games against top teams sprinkled throughout. Capello also discussed the omission from Europe in this sense.
“A tour de force [Matchday 5-13], but with an advantage: the Rossoneri will not have the cups, while their direct rivals will often be busy in Europe during that period. Allegri will have to do a great job. Milan finished in 8th place, so there are a lot of things to fix.”