The Serie A season is about to reach the halfway point, and there are still quite a lot of question marks regarding AC Milan as we begin the new year.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have selected the ‘five most intriguing questions’ about the current moment for various Serie A teams as we head into the 19th round of league action, and the microscope is also pointed at Milan.
They state that the Rossoneri’s season so far has been negative, but by adding just one point to the total for the Champions League group stage (as there were many chances to do, especially in the first two games) and the perception change.
With that, Milan would be in the round of 16 of the Champions League and third place in the Serie A table, in addition to having achieved progress to the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia with a potentially favourable path on paper.
Would that change things to being glass half full? It’s right to ask this while still maintaining the idea that so far the Rossoneri have performed below their potential (nine points behind Inter and seven behind Juventus is alarming) also due to a tactical system that isn’t very well-ordered and balanced.
Stefano Pioli has been in the dock for his approach in certain games, in addition to the unrelenting issue of injuries for which he certainly shoulders some responsibility, as well as his staff of course.
The match in Empoli is important because it could confirm the newfound consistency: in the last five matches in all competitions, Milan have won four. Winning helps you win, it gives confidence, which has been so lacking.
Lacking like Rafael Leao’s goals, but in the last few games Luka Jovic has blossomed and it is more good news that needs further confirmation. It is difficult to predict the development and ending to Milan’s season today, because sudden setbacks have been frequent.
Start with Jovic. Finish with Giroud.