It is exactly one year ago today since AC Milan hoisted the Scudetto after a 3-0 win against Sassuolo at the MAPEI Stadium, and a lot has changed in 12 months.
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As Goal write, the most recent victory against Sampdoria was important for Milan for several reasons, such as the fact that it was a good response after being knocked out of the Champions League by Inter and it was a crucial three points in the quest to earn a Champions League spot.
One year after winning the league title in Reggio Emilia the word ‘rebuild’ is circulating, with some pretty sizeable changes expected in the summer with regards to a playing squad that has mostly disappointed.
The game against on Sunday could well be decisive in qualifying for the 2023-24 Champions League while waiting for the new sentence of the Federal Court of Appeal, which could change the standings and the hierarchy among the top four.
It feels as though 12 months on from being crowned champions of Italy for a 19th time there are now more question marks than answers. Will the Rossoneri continue with Stefano Pioli on the bench? And, if so, with which players? Who will no longer be part of the squad? Will Maldini and Massara remain?
These are all questions that the management and the owners will have to answer, because despite reaching the semi-final of the Champions League after 15 years there is no ignoring the domestic disappointments since 22 May 2022.
Were they to finish fourth, the Milan team would be the first since Andrea Pirlo’s Juventus to finish below the top three in the season following their Serie A title win.
We must admit that Napoli have had an extraordinary season yet at one point Milan were clearly in second and were hanging on to their Scudetto defence. The middle to end of May was decisive last season, and the feeling is the same this year but in a far less positive way.
