Mustering Milan: What lies ahead for AC Milan

Milan is no longer the footballing capital of Italy. That’s the long and short of a pretty sorry tale that has evolved over the past two years. With the cascading form of both AC Milan and Inter, we have seen two of the European big wigs turned into mid table Serie A clubs that we hardly hear about, albeit if it is about their fall. The fall that has seen and propelled board room overhaul, management changes and a bevy of players leaving, joining and rejoining the Giuseppe Maezza Stadium.

To begin with, let’s talk about Inter Milan, the rebellious club that came into existence as an offspring of disputes within AC Milan. Inter have had a glorious last decade but the last four seasons have seen them loose the plot a little bit, changing 6 managers during the course and failing to qualify for Champions League for the last two years has seen them become a less household name than would be expected from a team who won every top trophy there to be won as recently as 2010. The club had been badly run no doubt and that was the prime reason why Mr. Moratti felt the need to sell it off. With Erick Thohir in charge the changes seem on the horizon and the future bright as would signing of Nemanja Vidic and rumors linking the club with players like Torres and Podolski suggest.

Erick Thohir

While Inter finally look to be turning corners, AC Milan still look into an uncertain future. After lifting the Serie A title two seasons back the team has seen financial issues creeping up and add to that the UEFA guidelines for Financial Fair Play that has been one of the major factors why the club had to sell off Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in one go. After that, it has been a bumpy ride for Rossoneri that has seen them languishing in 11^th position currently and with a coach that has no experience in hand.

Investment

The best and the most accessible recourse right now is change of ownership. AC Milan has long remained under the shadow and notoriety of the owner/Bunga Bunga Enthusiast Silvio Berlusconi. It would be a welcome change to get away from the nuisance and move towards an owner who doesn’t have to think about jail sentences and underage girls. There have been reports doing round that club is looking for investment.

There is no doubt that the injection of foreign money, no matter how derogatory it may look to the holier than thou rival fans, is helping clubs build and rebuild all over Europe and recently Italians teams have followed suit too. AS Roma became the first Italian club to undergo a foreign takeover. The change has been showcased by the kind of season Roma have had. Cross city rivals, Inter too look to be in a financially healthier position to make the most of next transfer window. They have clearly shown their intent in the Winter Transfer Window by snatching up Hernanes and holding on to Fredy Guarin.

Missing Link

Keeping things in midfield, Milan could do with a Hernanes themselves. They have great number of midfielders but not a great midfield. They have their captain and leader Montolivo playing the Regista role, taking over from Andrea Pirlo. But you don’t really have a like for like player for Pirlo. You just have to look at the fact that Pirlo, 33 was still Italian manager’s first choice in Confederation cup/world cup qualifiers then his younger replacement, Montolivo, 28. People have said this more than once that the power shift from Milan to Turin in the last couple of seasons has, in some amount, been the result of Pirlo moving to Turin.

Montolivo and Pirlo

The squad as a whole needs refurbishment. And you are not really setting pace for things to come when you buy Micheal Essien in the winter transfer window rather you are looking to add fringe players that may add to the wage bills, for which you had to let go of/ sell a barrage of players previous summer. The ‘go on transfer shopping spree’ route may not be realistic for Milan but they can try the ‘developing from the youth squads’ way of adding talent along with some smart buys/loans like the ones they have already done(Rami, Taraabt and Honda).

Looking for leaders

Another thing that needs ticking off from the To Do list for Milan Football Club is finding a Leader. As mentioned earlier daring to (do away with) Zlatan was a tough decision. He was the Maverick who could have helped them profusely in the last two season and add to that the leadership from the back by Thiago Silva, a void still there to be seen in Milan back line.

Since then the armband has gone to Riccardo Montolivo, who looks like a fighter but needs support on the field. The current team has no leaders on the pitch, and when you compare this with top 3 teams in the League, who have Vidal, Totti and Higauin as their talisman, you can see the difference. Kaka’ and Keisuke Honda have little or no impact this season, While Shaarawy has been on the sideline recuperating from injury meanwhile Boateng returned to his homeland and Balotelli, is mercurial and moody to put it mildly.

Seedorf the savior

Keeping faith with the manager

Meanwhile sticking with a manager may seem tough when team is in a downward spiral, Milan board has to show faith; I personally believe that Allegri was a victim of the quality of squad than his own strategies and the same can happen if Seedorf is not nurtured. Again here, neighbors, Inter have been exceptionally patient with Walter Mazzarri in charge, they know they have a coach who can turn their fortunes and they have given him free reign to put his stamp on the team, even changing the system to 3-5-2.

No doubt Milan has had a great fall in the past two years for a club of their stature, but it is the management and players, and their willingness to join in the cause of developing the club, that can break this fall.