The new season gets underway for AC Milan on Monday night with a trip to Bologna, and it’s a fresh start for Stefano Pioli and his squad.
For many, last season wasn’t necessarily a failure. Another top-four finish and a run to the Champions League semi-finals were key achievements, and it formed part of our ongoing development and progression.
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However, it also masked some glaring concerns and issues. While it was obvious to many that the squad needed significant changes to raise the level of quality within it, there were also fears that perhaps less than a year on from lifting the Scudetto, a cycle was coming to an end.
Systems and styles of play weren’t working as effectively as they had done in the past, question marks were raised over tactical and personnel decisions, and it felt as though major changes were needed to start afresh.
Those changes did arrive in the form of a management infrastructure shake-up as well as significant activity in the transfer market, but Pioli remained at the helm, and he will now begin a new season with a fresh start and renewed positivity given the options that have been added to his squad.
Milan’s business this summer is still ongoing and further incomings and exits are expected in the next fortnight, but from what we’ve seen thus far, the club have made important decisions that were needed, and will hopefully result in a stronger, more convincing push for success.
Initially, there was disappointment and frustration over the sale of Sandro Tonali. That came shortly after Paolo Maldini’s departure, and concern was raised as to what direction the club was going in under the new management.
However, seeing those funds reinvested into the squad with the signings of Christian Pulisic, Samuel Chukwueze, Yunus Musah, Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Noah Okafor, Luka Romero and Marco Sportiello, that contentious sale of a Milan stalwart has sparked a much-needed rebuild.
It’s not only these signings that have built trust and faith in the club’s planning either. Having moved on Junior Messias, Ante Rebic, Ciprian Tatarusanu, Charles De Ketelaere, Brahim Diaz, Sergino Dest, Aster Vranckx and Tiemoue Bakayoko, as well as the retirement of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, we’ve seen those who have simply not been good enough moved on too.
Milan deserve credit for the work done on the squad this summer, as they have seemingly identified the exact issues we’ve bemoaned for so long and tried to address them.
Now, a new challenge lies ahead. With trust shown in Pioli to hit the refresh button and begin a new cycle of success, it’s now on the Milan boss to integrate his new players and implement his plans and ideas to make it all come together and work.
There’s a different feel and emphasis with this new Milan, as we’ve injected speed, physicality, athleticism and energy into the squad. Provided we find the right balance with the experience and know-how of those already at Pioli’s disposal, it will hopefully result in a positive campaign this year.