At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, AC Milan said goodbye to the Scudetto and in the process, they signed themselves up to another summer of evaluations.
It seemed that this summer could be one of progression and it still may be. Yet, there are the same questions needing to be answered for Milan to be a Scudetto challenger again. Throughout the season, the Rossoneri were in contention for the title.
Now, they are a distance away from that spot and there is a clear reason why they are so far behind.
Summer investment needed
As Quotidiano Sportivo writes this morning, the Rossoneri have scored as many goals as they did last season, yet sit significantly better in the rankings. Of course, this is thanks to the defensive improvements brought by Massimiliano Allegri.
Nevertheless, questions about the attack now must be answered. In fact, it seems that the team will head towards another summer of fixing the front line, which has been a common theme in recent years.
In Naples, they lost their second away game in a row by a scoreline of 1-0. It is a common theme to discuss the attack after poor results, and even after seeing all five options on the pitch, it remains the case.
The future, then, needs to see the Diavolo sign a striker. From Luka Jovic to Tammy Abraham, Santiago Gimenez to Niclas Fullkrug, there have been too many gambles. Now, perhaps, is the time to drop the money on a top target and there are several options.
It is now time to stop gambling and step forward to a new table.
There is no guessing in what has to change. Milan needs at least 3 Decent reinforcements to be able to compete next season…and this will depend on the formation they will use. For a 433 system we will need a CB, a CM, a LW and CF. Players to move along would be Nkunku, Fullkrug, Estu. I would seriously consider keeping Fofona, RLC, Tomori, Gimenez, Salad and Barte around but for squad depth and not as 1st choice players. Use Salad to deputise as a RW to help Puli out, RLC and Ricci as a ball carrier when we need impact from the bench and Barte to keep growing behind and deputise for Pavlo in a 433 formation. Much of what the mercato will look like depends on the system Allegri will deploy. There will be enough games between the UCL, serie a and domestic cups to rotate giving everyone a chance to feature. Allegri still has to introduce Jash and Ricci into the game and they can’t keep playing bitpart roles next season. And lastly one serious flaw in our game is to up the tempo, improve on pressing and be more adventurous/creative going forward. Teams have figured us out and we cannot carry on with this lethargic reactive play of ours.
Or just play a system where our players play in their natural positions and our forwards get necessary service?
That would be way too easy and logical.
Which involves a management that knows what the team’s limitations and needs are AND actually addresses it. So, not our management.
Budget over everything else is the new motto.
We are forever rebuilding in this team. Always year 0
Deja Vu..
More revolutions than the French