AC Milan have enjoyed 90 seasons in the top flight of Italian football and has managed to lift the Serie A title 19 times in their history. The Rossoneri endured a shaky start to the 2022-23 season and persevered to the end to qualify for the Champions League while coming in fourth place.
They have however enjoyed a successful campaign this season and sit second on the league table, thanks to individual and team brilliance.
Milan’s finish for the season is generating excitement and has become a topic among the fans. While anticipating a very strong finish that will safely secure Champions League football for next season, the Rossoneri are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League and will be facing AS Roma on the 11th of April, 2024.
With the Rosonneri sitting second on the table, the fans’ spirit is high and the thrill never stops by spinning the reels. While streaming the remaining fixtures or watching the games live, fans can enjoy slots online before the match starts or during halftime.
Attack in form
Milan forwards Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao have both experienced droughts for the better part of the season but have so far become a shining light as the season winds down. Leao has struggled to find his form for a huge part of the season but with two goals and one assist in his last two games, he is starting to look like his former self.
Christian Pulisic has also registered 13 goals and eight assists across all competitions for Milan. The United States standout has 10 league goals this season and reached double figures for the first time in his career, surpassing his previous record of 9 goals in the 2019-20 Premier League season for Chelsea. With this form, it has been rumoured that the club is contemplating triggering an extra-year clause on his contract to extend it from 2027 to 2028.
Stefan Pioli, Milan’s boss was full of high praise for the player and said: “ I knew Pulisic’s quality, but when we talked on video call, I sensed something very positive. He was eager, curious, interested in everything I had to say.”
He further said Pulisic is an exemplary professional and hard worker who will help the team get stronger and this has shown throughout the season. With the season rounding up, and the competitions in which the Rossoneri are still in, Pulisic’s fine form will come in handy to ensure the best finish possible to the season.
The season is not over yet and the club still has 9 fixtures to play. These fixtures could potentially rise to 12 matches should they qualify for the next round of the Europa League. All focus will be on Thursday’s match as the Rosonneri face AS Roma in the quarter-finals.
The club will fight to sustain the high hopes of a great finish the fans have placed in them by defeating Roma and qualifying for the penultimate round of the Europa League.
World class player in goal
Another constant stand-out performer for AC Milan is Mike Maignan. It’s been a disappointing season on a personal level for the French international shot-stopper who is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The keeper has conceded 47 goals in 38 appearances but has also managed to keep 14 clean sheets and has made some spectacular saves this season to keep Ac Milan’s lead or ultimately win them the match.
While the keeper’s talent and qualities are not in doubt, his future is. Mike Maignan’s contract expires in 2026 and there has been no progress in renewal. Furlani’s recent comment regarding his contract extension is less than reassuring with Milan not willing to go over and beyond to keep the world-class keeper. There is a real risk that Milan and Mike may have to part ways at the end of this season but should there be a turnaround, Milan’s hope for a strong finish may receive a huge boost.
Another outgoing player is Olivier Giroud, who will be going on a free transfer to the MLS at the end of the current season. The attacking department of the club will experience a revolution with the World Cup winner leaving the club in the summer. Although, there are other strikers in the current squad like Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor who have both scored 4 goals each coming off the bench this season.
The club will be looking at additions for the attacking department of the team and with different names being drawn up, it will likely be a busy summer with potential and settled outgoings. 14 goals have been scored by reserves this season and with both reserve strikers having made a combined 8 goals, Milan will want to use their service in the future as well.
Conclusion
Overall, the feeling around the end of this current season for Milan is positive and everyone can feel it. The club has potentially secured Champions League qualification and could challenge for higher honours. They can go as far as qualifying for the next round of the Europa League and also rake in more points depending on their performance in the remaining Serie A fixtures.
