Today marks the first day of preseason preparations at Milanello for the AC Milan squad, and it is time to begin thinking about what objectives should be set for 2023-24.
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According to Corriere della Sera (via PianetaMilan), everything feels like ‘year zero’ after the revolution of June. First there was the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, then the sackings of Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara, and most recently the sale of Sandro Tonali.
Under the management of Giorgio Furlani and Geoffrey Moncada the team – still incomplete – is taking shape. Ruben Loftus-Cheek has filled the gap left by Franck Kessié, with Christian Pulisic seen as the replacement for Brahim Diaz.
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Tijjani Reijnders is approaching, who is a convincing profile because of his quality and versatility. The paper writes that a more physical and ‘more European’ Milan is being born. Depth and muscle are the key.
Without Tonali and Zlatan, Milan will have to quickly recover leadership and character. The rapid growth of the youngest and newest players will be key, especially given that Milan play five of the top six from last season in the opening 10 rounds of 2023-24.
Milan are objectively behind several opponents in the ‘grid’ at the start of the season but the targets remain unchanged: win or at least challenge for the Scudetto and try to replicate the positive run in Europe last season.
