The new sporting director worked very well on departures. On arrivals, the market was affected by the failure to qualify for the Champions League. Allegri, the ex Juventus coach now has the task of rebuilding from the rubble.
Milan’s paradox:
The season has opened with a paradox. Rivals consider Milan stronger and more dangerous than their own fans do. Many in the technical and management staff of Serie A’s top clubs see the Rossoneri as contenders for the Scudetto and Champions League. The fans do not share that conviction. These are the consequences of last year’s unreturned love, caused by mistakes and omissions from management, players, and coaches. In that order, to quote Gareth Bale. And for many, also by the transfer market.
Signings without Champions League football:
1 – It is not easy to attract top players without the Champions League. Milan managed to do so with Modric, Jashari, and Nkunku: an extraordinary professional, a young midfielder with big room to grow, and a talented, versatile “nine and a half.” The Swiss and the Frenchman are the two most expensive purchases of the Italian summer window, not counting loans with obligation to buy like Højlund, which could end up more costly overall.
Doubts about Mike Maignan:
2 – After the disasters of 2024/25, the team’s spirit must be rebuilt, along with a sense of belonging and pride. A tough task in a context of endless transition, with the current captain (Maignan) expected to be the leader. But can he really be that, if so many signs point to him leaving for free at the end of the season?
The balance sheet:
3 - Tare has been among the best directors in Europe at selling. Fans never value the “balance sheet title,” but for clubs it is vital for the future. A healthy club has more chances to operate well in the market compared to one forced to repair its accounts. The examples are clear: Inter, forced for years into free transfers or painful sales, and Juventus under Comolli, pushed into last-minute signings after Giuntoli’s reckless spending.
Rabiot, Loftus-Cheek and the 'Nocerino title'
4 - The overall value of the squad after a summer of €165–170 million in both purchases and sales. The defense has not been improved in personnel. De Winter has physical and aerial qualities but still needs to grow in other areas. Defensive solidity, though, depends on the whole team and the coach. Allegri is one of the best prepared in this area and will work mainly on midfield to give more protection. The numbers from the first two rounds, even against weaker opponents, are already telling: Milan allowed the fewest expected goals, 0.8, even better than Napoli. The quality of chances conceded has already dropped. The idea of Leao as a central forward goes in two directions: highlighting his strengths and sparing him a defensive role he always disliked, which left less protection behind him in the 4-2-3-1. Now on that side there is Pervis Estupiñan, one of the biggest question marks in this new Milan.
His traits have been clear since his Osasuna days in La Liga and remain the same: speed and attacking power outweighing defensive reliability, where he often makes obvious errors. The cross for Pavlovic against Cremonese and a few flashes in Milan-Bari confirm he excels when served in space. He is the opposite of Theo Hernandez, unique in the way he seemed to “sit” on the ball before unleashing his power with it at his feet. On the flanks, options remain limited, though Saelemaekers should not be underestimated. He was a key tactical weapon in Pioli’s Scudetto and Thiago Motta’s Champions-qualifying Bologna.
In midfield there are more options. Rabiot and Loftus-Cheek (if fit) are in line for the “Nocerino award,” the midfielder most likely to break forward and score. Modric as the central pivot in a three-man midfield, with two runners on the sides to give him oxygen and the ball, is a smart choice. It protects him, limits his range, and raises the quality of build-up. In that context, despite Ricci’s age advantage, there is no real comparison. The real issue remains Santiago Gimenez, mistreated all summer with rumors of a new striker, social media criticism after Jashari’s injury, and a clumsy final attempt to swap him for Dovbyk.
To go from savior in January to almost discarded in a few months is highly discouraging. The loneliness of the number one (7) does not help, nor do the goals correctly ruled out by VAR in the first two games. Restoring him mentally, even before technically, is one of Allegri and Milan’s hardest challenges. Harder still is regaining the full trust of their fans.
This was reported by Calciomercato.com
