League Leaders
AC Milan, a globally recognized football club, has faced challenges in the past decade, a stark contrast to their glorious history. The Rossoneri were the dominant force in European football during the late 1980s and early 1990s under legendary managers Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello. They secured consecutive European Cup victories in 1989 under Sacchi, and only Real Madrid has outperformed them in European titles.
The team’s success was built on a formidable Italian defensive backbone, featuring legends like Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, and Alessandro Costacurta, along with the exceptional Dutch talents of Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, and Frank Rijkaard. Following Sacchi’s tenure, Capello took charge and led the team to three consecutive Serie A titles from 1992 to 1994. However, over the last 14 years, AC Milan has managed to capture only one Scudetto. Massimiliano Allegri, who previously led the Rossoneri to the title in 2011, returned to the San Siro this summer, aiming to reverse the club’s decline. Having begun the season on a positive note, the question remains: can Allegri resurrect this slumbering giant?
Massimiliano Allegri: His Impact at AC Milan
As AC Milan embarks on a new season, with only seven games played so far, it is crucial to maintain realistic expectations. However, promising signs are already evident as they currently hold the top position in Serie A. The first major test of their progress came on Sunday night at the San Siro, where they achieved a commendable 2-1 victory against the reigning Serie A champions. Despite being reduced to ten men in the 57th minute, AC Milan managed to safeguard their one-goal lead for the final thirty minutes. Allegri is known for constructing teams that are incredibly hard to break down, and his focus on enhancing their defensive strength has been clear.
AC Milan has recorded clean sheets in five out of their seven matches this season, conceding only three goals, second only to Roma in the top five leagues, who have played one fewer game. Allegri’s trusted 3-5-2 formation is in play, featuring Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlović, and Matteo Gabbia as the three center-backs. Pervis Estupiñán, signed from Brighton, has bolstered the left-wing back position, while Allegri has rotated on the right side based on the opposition’s strengths.
Jatin Dietl, Transfermarkt’s Serie A expert, commented on AC Milan’s start under Allegri: “Allegri is recognized for instilling stability in teams. The newly implemented three-man defense appears to be effectively compensating for individual weaknesses. Additionally, players in wide positions now contribute defensively—a significant improvement compared to previous players like Rafael Leão. With a strong squad and a capable coach, I consider them one of the championship favorites, especially with no international competitions to divert focus and resources.”
AC Milan’s Title Aspirations This Season
Serie A is arguably the most competitive of the top five leagues, with five clubs genuinely vying for the title this season. While Napoli and Inter Milan are seen as the frontrunners, AC Milan stands to gain substantially from their absence in European competition, a result of their disappointing eighth-place finish last season. The squad has not undergone a significant overhaul this summer, underscoring the necessity for a balanced perspective.
Currently, AC Milan’s squad is valued at €472 million, making it the fourth most valuable in Serie A, though notably behind Inter Milan’s €708 million. Even the most ardent Rossoneri supporter would struggle to assert that Allegri possesses the strongest squad. However, Milan has strengthened its midfield with the experienced duo of Adrien Rabiot and Luka Modrić, while Ardon Jashari shows immense potential. Additionally, Christopher Nkunku has joined from Chelsea and netted his first goal midweek, raising intrigue about Rafael Leao’s reintegration upon recovery from injury.
AC Milan’s Summer Transfer Activity
Italian clubs often lack the financial clout of teams in the English Premier League, but AC Milan emerged as the highest-spending Italian club this summer, investing €162 million in new signings. They also recouped over €176.3 million from player sales, the highest among Italian clubs, ranking sixth overall for any club this summer. Given their financial struggles in the past decade, the club’s business model prioritizes stability, and selling prized assets remains crucial.
Tijani Reijnders’ move to Manchester City for €55 million and Malick Thiaw’s transfer to Newcastle United for €35 million facilitated reinvestment. AC Milan ended the summer with a positive transfer balance of €14.3 million, the best among five Serie A title contenders. Although the squad lacks the glamorous talent of previous decades, they hope that Allegri’s astute management will help restore their competitiveness and reignite the pursuit of major trophies.
