Currently sitting in sixth position in the Serie A table, just three points better off than this time last year, AC Milan have struggled to reach the heights many expected after heavy investment during the summer.
In July 2015 optimism met Sinisa Mihajlovic’s appointment at AC Milan. The Milanisti waved goodbye to Pippo ‘attacare’ Inzaghi, and welcomed the former Sampdoria coach to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
By the time Serie A finished for the winter break, all of the previous excitement and morale boosting summer signings have turned out to be rather underwhelming. Mihajlovic must change things over the next few weeks, or it is curtains for the Serbian tactician.
No progress appears to have been made at first reading with the Rossoneri sitting in sixth place with 28 points. It shows a decent half of the campaign, but for Milan, this is far from what they would want. But compare this to last season, under Pippo, and they were in seventh place and with just three points less.
So why hasn’t actual progress been made? Silvio Berlusconi had altered the man on the touch-line, who had then, in turn, brought in a number of players, yet that apparently only equates to a difference of three points. The inconsistent nature of players across all positions has epitomised Milan thus far. Maybe some Christmas cheer can revive and inspire them.
Best Player
Rather unsurprisingly, there are really only three players to pick out for this. What is a good sign for Mihajlovic, is that they all come from different positions. Despite the good showings from Alessio Romagnoli and Carlos Bacca, Milan’s main man has been Giacomo Bonaventura.
The Italian has been everything any club would want in a player: he tracks back, attacks, creates and even scores. He has been deployed both centrally and in an attacking role, whilst also venturing onto the wing with both reaping rewards. Should the Rossoneri progress this season and achieve European qualification, the 26-year-old must remain fit and in the team.
Highlight so far
The best moment thus far, bar the emergence of the 16-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma, is one super night against Sampdoria. Everything just happened to click that night for the Rossoneri, with M’Baye Niang Milan’s hero for the day. The Frenchman played superbly off the shoulder of Carlos Bacca, allowing the misfiring Alessio Cerci to drop further back on the field, which paid dividends. The thumping 4-1 victory, alongside the 3-1 win away to Lazio, showcased exactly what Mihajlovic has installed in the club.
Biggest disappointment
Unfortunately, with every great performance or moment comes the bad. It also isn’t good reading when there are numerous moments to pick from. Aside from some cracking mistakes this season from Mattia De Sciglio and some truly awful draws recently against Carpi and Verona, the award has to go to the 4-0 drubbing from Napoli in October.
When the two sides met at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, the initial thought was that the match could have a serious impact on the testing of this season’s league title, with some phenomenal players on display.
Instead, the visitors carved open the home side, with Lorenzo Insigne keeping the Milan back four on the back foot from the beginning. Cristian Zapata made a clumsy error to get the ball rolling with a poor clearance which lead to the opening goal, before Luca Antonelli’s shocking positional awareness capped off a fine day for the Naples side and left Mihajlovic with much to ponder.
Transfer hit and flop
Milan brought in no less than eight players this summer, with Carlos Bacca the pick of the bunch. The former Sevilla man has been Milan’s answer to a clinical striker, scoring eight goals thus far. His ability to run off the man has been second to none, but he needs to find a striking compatriot.
On the other end of the spectrum, the flop, it has to go to Luiz Adriano. Unfortunately the Brazilian just has not been the partner Bacca wanted. Despite playing a similar style, Adriano is far less clinical in front of goal. It would come as no surprise to see him off-loaded in the summer, with M’Baye Niang and Mario Balotelli a better fit for his role.
What next?
It may seem simple to say, but what Milan need is some stability. There are whispers in the air of possible signings including Joel Matip and Axel Witsel, two players who could give the Rossoneri that much needed stability.
Mihajlovic does not deserve to be sacked, despite the gluttony of rumours that have circulated in recent weeks. The Serbian has only remained at his post due to the poor appointments of Clarence Seedorf and Filippo Inzaghi, and had they lost to Frosinone he might have departed to leave a space for World Cup winner Marcelo Lippi.
The club’s hierarchy are right to stick by Mihajlovic for now as he has formed the starting blocks for Milan to progress. The foundations are being laid, like a fresh new pitch for the season. There may be some potholes here and there, with the corners a bit jagged, but with the right attitude and some faith, the Rossoneri can return.
