AC Milan, in every department, have fallen short of expectations this season, and it has led to some scathing reviews.
It is difficult to be overly positive about this year. Of course, there is the occasional positive to glimpse at, but the overwhelming feeling of Milan’s season is disappointment, and even then, this is quite generous.
On a senior level, the side sit ninth, and have never really competed for Europe, let alone the Scudetto, which seemed to be the goal for this team this season, an immense failure, if that was the case.
Qualifying for the Europa League through the Coppa Italia would, of course, be a welcomed boost. However, it would not make the year a positive one, far from it. In fact, it would only deepen the feeling of regret that lingers.
So today, Andrea Longoni has taken stock of the season for Milan News, and it is certainly not a positive review.
“After Monza (total collapse) and Inter (still fighting for the Scudetto), Milan is the team that has lost the most points compared to last season: with 4 games to go, the Rossoneri had 71 points in the standings, today they are 17 less.
“The team that has gained the most is Napoli, going from 51 to 74. A +23 points signed by the factor Antonio Conte, the one who last summer would have come running to Milanello, but that the ‘super’ working group thought it best to ignore.
“Let’s remember that the management’s first choice was [Julen] Lopetegui, who in the meantime had gone from being fired at West Ham to his new role as coach of Qatar: yet another embarrassing calling card for those who planned the season.
“Paulo Fonseca first and Sergio Conceicao then, all things considered, only lasted 6 months at Milan. In all this, we cannot ignore the disaster of Milan Futuro: an important investment, an absolutely interesting project, which today has come to the brink of failure with the concrete risk of relegation to Serie D.
“Many questions arise spontaneously. Was it easy to make such a big mistake? No, not even on purpose. But now, how is it possible that none of the managers are even slightly under discussion in view of next season? Absurd, really absurd.
“As well as the sporting director issue and the risk, in the end, of remaining like this, with the current structure, incomplete and truncated. It would be the icing on the cake of amateur management, indifferent to the field and disrespectful, to the nth degree, of its fans.
“In addition to the unwritten rules that have always guided football, among these there is also that of the importance of a sports director, not only in the market but also in everyday life at the sports centre.
“Among these, there is also the importance of the time factor and planning, which here have gone to hell.
“The truth is that Milan, unfortunately, is no longer a normal club. By the way, it would also be interesting to understand 12 months from the expiry, what they want to do with the future of Theo Hernandez and Maignan , between deafening and prolonged silences and economic proposals that were then retracted.
“In the meantime, even from an economic point of view, the two, who are very important assets, are devaluing and not a little.
“Milan is ninth in the standings and that is already frustrating to say the least. But what is even more worrying is the management of the future and the lack of planning that, as of today, do not bode well at all. Poor Devil…”
imbalanced midfield, no proper RB until Walker in January, no proper safety measures for winger subs, Abate gave us 2 UCL finals but we fired him not to make nepotism a thing at the club?!
management definitely did the biggest damage
Abate gave us 1 final and one semi-final.
Are you not entertained? It’s the American way. Better get used to it.
What do you expected from an owner who thinks entertainment is more important than results, then hire an inexperienced management including a bully to run his club and protect his investment. Fired a club legend who loves the club and really wanted to put the club back to where it belongs. It is embarrassing. The owner not even goes to the games! He should sell the club to someone who understands real sports and real football.
Maldini was fired for less… MALDINI!!!
I was more hopeful during the banter era, because at least it was clear how everybody on and off the pitch were doing everything to get Milan back in top. It was a lack of quality and money, rather than not a lack of ambition, that made Milan fail.
Now? I don’t see any ambition, or spirit. Neither in the team not in management. People just don’t care about the results in this club anymore. It’s about commercial ventures, brand identity, image, visibility, economic safety etc.
Nowhere do you get the feeling that someone within AC Milan wants the club to be competitive. Everyone, even Ibra, has adopted this looser, small club mentality.
During the banter era, everyone knew what Milan stood for – players knew how important the batch was. That’s really all I want because, as a fan, as that is what gives me hope. But this corporate machine that we are witnessing right now, does not bode well for the future…
Milan right now is club with no vision, everything is blur. Milan not like Milan with ambition (look 1990-2008)
Disastrous season. Waiting for (another) revolution this summer with Italian core but trusting the very people to solve problems they themselves created might be too much to hope for.
I’m actually very concerned with what the heck is happening at our club!
It’s so clear that management has no idea what they’re doing.
You guys remember not too long ago, when Pioli was in charge, the theme was ‘Europa Milan’ we want a European team. A 433 team etc.
Ended up getting players I guess fit this Europa Milan dream. Now 2 years down the line, it’s an ‘Italian’ theme? Wtf??
It seems they sit around a table, what’s the best headline grabbing campaign we can do? ‘Euro Milan’ , ‘ Italianization’ Milan…
I’m sorry, but throwing together Italians and hoping for the best is not the way to go.
That’s the same as the ‘Euro Milan’ buy players outside of Italy and hope for the best, with no gameplan, no thought out planning, just buy players and hope… vibes.
Honestly speaking, what does Ibra know about building a 3 or 5 year project? Furlani? He doesn’t know players. Someone who once asked Shevchenko if he’s ever scored at San siro????? Really now? Is that someone we want to be making the ‘football decisions?’ Moncada, is a scout… a very very decent one at that, but that’s his specialty, a scout.
Now how did Gerry get convinced that 3 unqualified people are the best to run his operations? I really don’t know how he allowed that.
It’s either he underestimated European football, and thought other clubs ‘aren’t all that’ or he just doesn’t care… it’s rotten from the top down.
Hire a SD, let Furlani handle contracts, as we’ve been told he’s very good at that, Moncada go back to scouting. Ibra, I don’t know what it is you do… keep Gerry happy, touch his leg or something.
But I’m concerned about our club.
Forza Milan