Tuttosport in today's edition spoke about the AC Milan club's situation and struggles in this season. The coach bet everything on the Champions League semifinals: all or nothing, with all the risks involved. The team came out with nothing and now the Rossoneri are in a corner. They took the Scudetto off their shirt too early, were eliminated from the Coppa Italia after losing at home to a ten-man Torino, were brutalised by Inter in the Italian Super Cup in Riyadh, and once again were beaten by the Nerazzurri in 180 minutes of the Euroderby, once again without scoring a goal. Four objectives slipped away day after day in a 2023 that started poorly and, so far, has been even worse.
There is only one lifeline to hold on to, qualifying for the next Champions League. That and only that because even a "lesser" European competition would not be considered fulfilling by the club: for the stage to perform on and the significantly lower revenues it guarantees. The Rossoneri are certainly not in the best position. In fact, today they would be out of the race after delivering performances often unjustifiable, like the last one at Spezia. They are nailed to fifth place, four points behind Lazio, an important gap with three rounds to go, and bridgeable only by relying solely on the misfortunes of others, on and off the field (keeping an eye on Juventus).
Beyond this, the Rossoneri's sporting director, Paolo Maldini, has nevertheless had the merit of clarity after their elimination from the Champions League. Because from this season onwards, there is only one thing to do: learn. As emphasized in the past, it seems as if the unexpected yet deserved Scudetto has led to an overvaluation of the squad. A negative condition that has emerged with the underperformance of many key players from the previous season, compounded by a disappointing transfer market. Compared to their neighbors Inter, Milan has prioritized investments in young players with no experience at zero cost. They have paid the price for the latter, and even though Maldini emphasizes that it was the club's directive to follow, doubts still arise about whether a different choice could have been made for the players signed on a free transfer (consider the highly disappointing Origi who earns an important salary).
AC Milan, at least, has the merit of having taken a clear position on these strategic goals. Betting on young players to build the future and make the finances solid is a position that can lead to immediate disappointments but with the goal of building something that can endure over time. The only requirement is to have the strength to support such a project that, following logical reasoning, should not be questioned by a failure to qualify for Europe.
Those who work with this perspective should be allowed the benefit of making mistakes, unless, as requested by Maldini, they are given the resources to make Milan competitive and successful at a high level.
