Just a month ago, AC Milan seemed destined for a very positive season, with the title still a dream within reach and top four almost certain.
After triumphing in the derby against Inter on March 8th, the Rossoneri were just seven points off the top of the table, consolidating their position in the top four. The situation has quickly changed, with Milan now facing a crisis that threatens their Champions League qualification.
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Massimiliano Allegri had warned the team not to lose focus and drive in his pre-match press conference, but the team didn’t get the message and were overwhelmed by Udinese at San Siro.
According to Allegri, the Champions League quota is around 73 points, 10 more than Milan’s current total. Luka Modric and co. will need to hold on to third place (perhaps even trying to get second back) in their final six games to avoid another summer of profound upheaval.
Everything up in the air
What would happen if Milan fell out of the top four? Calciomercato.com report that the first effect of the recent rough patch has been to stall all contract renewal discussions, from Rafael Leao to Fikayo Tomori to Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Strahinja Pavlovic.
Several negotiations have been put on hold while the management wait to see which competition the club will compete in next season, whether it be the Champions League or the Europa League.
If they fail to finish in the top four, the players in question would not see their current salaries improve and could be put on the market. This is a complex situation that directly affects the entire team.
Milan missed out on the €60-70m that the Champions League generates this season, and the result was the sales of Tijjani Reijnders, Theo Hernandez and Malick Thiaw, among others. Without that money, names like Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic could leave too.
Participation in next season’s Champions League is also a key factor in transfer planning. The most logical example is the pursuit of Leon Goretzka, who would only say yes to Milan if he were certain of playing in Europe’s premier competition.
Milan’s transfer budget in recent years has consistently fluctuated between €40-50m, plus transfer revenue. This is the aspect least affected by the sporting results, although Gerry Cardinale could signal a break from the recent past by attempting to provide the club with more resources to secure their 20th Scudetto.
Calm down.
Aren’t you guy that overreacted and stopped supporting Milan? Calm down.