GdS: Experience, youth and an expanded squad – Cardinale and Allegri agree to-do list

There was a meeting between Gerry Cardinale and the AC Milan management in which the aims for the summer were drawn up.

In terms of a spectacle, Cardinale did not see much entertainment, but he chose the right match to return to San Siro if he wanted a symbol of where Milan are at currently. As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, the failure to score again was emblematic, as were the Curva Sud’s protests over ticket prices.

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Sunday was his fourth visit since the beginning of the year, once per month. His goal was two-fold: to convey his closeness to the club and the team, after being away from Milan for several months, and to lay the groundwork in person for next season.

Summer to-do list

Cardinale isn’t an entrepreneur crossing the ocean solely to convey his closeness to the club. That’s also important, given that he represents a geographically distant ownership, but not the only reason for being there.

April is a month that looks ahead to the next season, and therefore Cardinale took the opportunity to take stock together with Furlani and Tare (who, in the previous days, had already assessed the situation with Allegri and gathered his requests).

It was not a proper summit, but rather a discussion in which the management and ownership reviewed the needs for the next Milan squad and what the club will be able to do to satisfy the coach.

Allegri emphasised that the squad must be increased in size and that experienced players are needed, combined with younger players in whom investments have been made. In other words, going from a 23-man squad (including goalkeepers) to 27-28 (as is reasonable for European football).

The paper adds more specifics this morning: the aim is to give Max a key addition to each department. Mario Gila is the chosen one for the back line, then a wing-back who can play on both flanks, a striker and a midfielder are wanted, plus young players to complement the squad.

The key is to avoid ‘ageing’ the dressing room (in terms of average age), but an effort will be made to please the coach because the Champions League will require experienced players to lead the group.