AC Milan must take a long and hard look in the mirror this summer after a disastrous campaign, and a journalist has highlighted the big mistakes.
Milan’s verdict for 2024-25 was delivered in a crushing way over five days in Rome. First came the Coppa Italia final defeat to Bologna, which saw the chance to earn a Europa League spot (and a second trophy) evaporate into the night sky.
Then, on Sunday night, the Rossoneri’s fate was sealed with a 3-1 defeat against Claudio Ranieri’s Roma. That means that eighth is the best possible finish this season, and thus there will be no European football in 2025-26.
Antonio Vitiello has published his weekly column for MilanNews and he chose to list so many of the ‘disasters’ that happened at Milan during the current campaign, which ends on Saturday night against Monza.
“For Milan, the time has come to take stock, and unfortunately the season has been more than a failure. In any company there would have already been layoffs or resignations after the huge mistakes made this season, but at Milan it seems that everyone is glued to their seats.
“We hope for radical changes in management after a tragic year from a sporting point of view, but the trend does not bode well.
“In this editorial we list all the disasters made during the year, but also the only positive thing, namely the victory of the Super Cup. The only trophy won in a difficult year, which will be remembered among the worst of the last ten years.
“Out of Europe: This is the most serious thing. One hundred million were invested in the transfer campaign and the results did not arrive. Money badly spent, questionable management of the team, a year that ends out of every European competition. They also missed out on 50-60 million from the Champions League.
“Never in the running for the Scudetto: Since August, Milan had lost and drawn their first two games of the championship. In fact, they were never in the running for the title. Unlike the pompous declarations of some directors.
“Out in the Champions League play-offs: Another serious stain, exiting Europe at the hands of the very modest Feyenoord.
“Two coaches: First Fonseca, then Conceição were two questionable and unfortunate choices. The big mistake was to underestimate the role of the coach, with the presumption that the team could be managed without a guide at Milanello.
“Dressing room incidents: Not only the failed results, but also many cases within the team. The cooling break in Rome, the fight on the pitch between Calabria and Conceiçao, the penalty case in Florence. Situations not handled well by the club.
“Conflicting Views: Even among managers there are different views on various topics, and this contributes to confusion in a club where there is no real sporting director with experience.
“Coppa Italia final lost: The huge disappointment of losing the final against Bologna, the final blow to the season. There is the regret of not having shown up in the match at the Olimpico.
“Devaluation of the player pool: Except for Pulisic and Reijnders, the other players have not had a top-level season. At the end of this year, the feeling is that Milan’s player pool has devalued.
“Theo and Maignan: These are the thorny cases that have been going on for years now. They keep saying that ‘we are working on the renewals’ but in the meantime there is only one year left until the deadline and the signature is still not there.
“Relegation of Milan Futuro: The management of the second team was also terrible. 15 million euros spent to relegate in the first year. Zero talents coming out of the ‘kitchen’, indeed, players like Camarda were managed badly.
“Ghost Ownership: Cardinale is neither seen nor heard. Absent owner, not fit to represent a club like Milan.
“Zero communication: There is no dialogue with the fans, there is no contact with the people. The club is always too distant. It works the same way with the press. Management isolated in their ivory tower.
“Destruction of the image of Milan: In the end, a Milan in a very bad state emerges and the image is of a club managed by amateurs. Abroad, this is the representation that is made of the current Milan.
“Zero political weight with the referees: Milan mistreated in every field in Italy and Europe. Taken in the face by everyone. No one does anything or says anything. The excuse of having to discuss in the ‘appropriate places’ does not hold up, the results say that when in doubt the refereeing decisions are against Milan.”
The list I’ve been waiting for. Now just to add an ending to this complete collapse of “a project” – summer sales.
No mention of the disgraceful treatment of the club captain?
Frozen out of the first team (and replaced by Emerson Royal), attacked by the coach in the pitch, forced into in the last minute in the January transfer window with his last words for Milan given in the car park, and then the coach won’t even shake his hand when he returns with his new team.
A player who was central to the Scudetto and who had helped Milan finish in the top 2 in 3 of the last 4 seasons, with back to back champions league qualifications and semi-final.
It’s utterly despicable.
Thank you! I was absolutely thinking that Calabria while noy the best, bleeds red and black.
Look at Milan’s teams – the Mens seniors, the Futuro, the Primavera and Rossonere(womens). It shows the club is rotten to the core. Mismanaged by incompetent, greedy, narcissistic fools who want to play real life fantasy football. We’re now a feeder club. They buy a few players for 20- 25 million, hope they excel so they can sell for 60-70m (Like Tiji). The humiliation is complete. No respect for our club, our past, or the fans. No identity , heart or real leadership. Worse, these clowns try to assure us that they’re the ones to solve the very problems they themselves created, problems that should never have arisen (Fonseca, Emerson, Morata, Felix, Walker, no sporting director, lack of Italians, etc). Unless they exit the club(which they wont), I’m afraid next season we could end like Man Utd hovering above the relegation zone.
That one will be worst Man U still have Europa final to play Milan does not even have any European competition I don’t wish that for Milan
Ibrahimovic is a man from the Balkans, insecure, selfish, egoistical and lacks style and grace! That’s why he always had issues with Italians; Materazzi, Calabria, Maldini,Ballotelli ,Abate, D’ottavio could go on and on! He wants media attention and that’s why he says all the trash he does! He is simply an embodiment of the management! A total failure of a player who lives in fantasy rather than reality! So redbird should get their bags out and leave with all it’s puppets!
Better late than never I guess. The writing was on the wall as soon as Maldini and Massara were fired and Tonali was sold. That was a clear sign of things to come and the following transfers led to a major downgrade of the team.
-Just to put things into context, we are as far off from first place this season as we were last season. We exited the Champions League at the same stage. Our record against the other top four teams (Inter, Atalanta, Juventus) was 0W 4L 2D if I’m not mistaken.
-This season is just a continuation of last season with the team further downgraded by poor planning, bad transfers, and the toxic environment create by the incompetent and unprofessional management.
All 14 spot on. They should send his article to Cardinale & co.