This season, it is fair to say AC Milan have been more effective than exciting in games. However, this was always going to be the case.
When you think of Massimiliano Allegri, you do not really think of showy results. Instead, you know exactly what you are getting. A well-organised, defence-first team, with effectiveness going forward, rather than one that is particularly showboaty or enthralling.
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Whilst Milan currently sit second, there have certainly been a few complaints about the football this year, and this largely falls down to the results against outfits sitting lower than the Rossoneri in Serie A.
As a result, the lack of defeats is often overshadowed by a ‘but’. After all, Inter have more points, and have lost four games, sitting top with eight points more – albeit with an extra game played.
Scudetto slip
Over a season, the excitement of a potential Scudetto win certainly adds up, and for the first few months of this year, Milanisti were starting to dream of a 20th title and a second star.
However, in recent weeks, it seems that there has been an acceptance of the fact that the Nerazzurri will win the league again.
Of course, things change quickly, and the Derby della Madonnina next month could make the gap shorten substantially. Yet, is this what Allegri has been suggesting all season?
Multi-year plan
When Adrien Rabiot joined in the summer, he spoke about a ‘multi-year’ project with the Italian at the top, and even Allegri has hinted at this too. Whilst he has not denied the fact that his team are in the Scudetto race, the focus has been on the Champions League.
A place in Europe would certainly be a catalyst too. Ultimately, it brings extra revenue, which is important, but it also draws players to the team.
Last season, the management were often careless when speaking to the media, with everything often falling back to the rhetoric of the Diavolo being a Scudetto-level side. Yet, everything on the pitch disproved that.
This year, there have been no such mentions of those goals from the club, or at least, not regularly. Instead, it has been played down on each occasion, with Allegri leading with the rhetoric about a return to Europe’s most prestigious competition being the priority.
Vehicle for expectations?
So, maybe the Scudetto is not the aim for this season, and that is not a bad thing, and maybe Allegri’s football is a vehicle for that too, to keep things basic and effective, getting the job done for the sake of the future. Next season, with the goals changing, that excitement may rise.
In the meantime, if you are looking for something away from Milan to give you some excitement, consider trying a Book of Dead game demo.
