As the 2021/22 Serie A campaign edges closer, AC Milan will prepare wanting to better their achievements from last season.
It was a case of ‘job done’ last year as the Rossoneri secured a return to the Champions League, an objective that had proven to be elusive in recent years.
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Stefano Pioli’s side left it late as it was only confirmed on the last day of the season, but with a return to Europe’s top table to look forward to, it promises to be an eventful campaign for us.
However, it’s imperative that we continue to make progress, improve and reach for higher targets and so naturally, as with any side, there will always be ways in which we can get better.
Higher level of consistency
After a superb start to last season, Milan had opportunities to make securing a top-four finish a lot simpler but stumbled at various stages.
There were also damaging defeats to Inter and Atalanta along the way, and those are performances and results that must be eradicated moving forward.
Similarly, the goalless draw at home with Cagliari in the penultimate game of the season, which was a huge opportunity missed to seal Champions League qualification, was another example, and so better consistency will be crucial.
Fitness and reduce injury issues
Through the course of the year, Milan continuously lost pivotal players to injury setbacks. Naturally, some can’t be avoided and so a degree of luck is needed too.
Nevertheless, from Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 19 Serie A games missed to Ismael Bennacer, Ante Rebic and others missing important games across the season, it’s vital that our core players are all healthy and fit throughout to lead our charge.
More creative quality in final third
Particularly now after Hakan Calhanoglu’s departure, Milan need to add more creative quality through the middle and on the wings to support the lone front man in Pioli’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
Given the goals and assists that Rebic provides, he should be a starter on the left, but a No.10 and an upgrade with more attacking quality than Samu Castillejo and Alexis Saelemaekers is needed on the right wing.
Milan scored 74 goals last season compared to 63 the year previous, and so clearly we improved. However, it’s still shy of the 86 registered by Napoli, Atalanta [90] and Inter [89] last year and so we have a gap to bridge when it comes to our rivals still.
Depth up front, Ibrahimovic alternative
While injuries limited Mario Mandzukic’s ability to give us a back-up option in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s absence, his departure makes that void all the more obvious.
Milan need more firepower and quality to complement our talisman, and that should come in the form of one proven, experienced player and a long-term solution given Ibrahimovic’s age.
Pioli has a way of playing and he likes having a focal point lead the line up top. Identifying the profile of an alternative is therefore relatively simple, but finding the right man for the job isn’t quite as straight-forward.
Return to Pioli’s preferred style of play
It was gruelling year for the players last year given the quick turnaround between seasons following the pandemic.
That in turn would have had a negative impact on their fitness and conditioning, particularly in the latter stages of the campaign just gone.
Prior to that though, Milan were aggressive off the ball, pressing high up the pitch and forcing mistakes to capitalise. Further, there was a quicker tempo about our possession and it was probing for the most part.
That dropped off as fatigue perhaps set in, and while we still ultimately achieved our aim, if we can get back to those levels displayed after the first lockdown, we’ll be a real threat both domestically and in Europe.
