Although our editorial team at Milanreports.com always aims to present a novel perspective on anything pertaining to our cherished team, there are some unconventional topics that we haven’t thoroughly examined up to this point, like how digital tools and international scouting tactics influence player discovery.
Trophies in modern football aren’t just won on the field; they’re also achieved in analytics rooms, data centers, and isolated towns where scouts may spot the next big star. Elite teams like our AC Milan are modifying their scouting processes to keep ahead of the curve as the game gets more digitalized.
Discretion and worldwide reach are now essential components of a successful player recruitment strategy. Technical directors, scouts, and analysts frequently need to access proprietary datasets, performance metrics, and video footage from public or remote areas. As a dependable layer of digital mobility and discretion in the scouting world, many professionals start with secured downloads and then use equally secure solutions that enable them to access these systems safely from any location.
In this new era of digital reconnaissance, how is AC Milan gaining an advantage?
A global approach with local roots...
The value of international talent has long been recognized by AC Milan. As evidence of its global vision, the club has left a legacy embodied in global icons like Andriy Shevchenko and Kaká, but also (hopefully) future legends, such as Rafael Leão. However, Milan’s scouting service has expanded in recent years. The emphasis is now on spotting talent before it emerges, rather than relying on established stars, as seen in African academies and Norway’s youth leagues.
Important names in Milan’s technical department, such as Geoffrey Moncada, who has a well-deserved reputation for finding hidden gems, have led this change. Milan is clearly embracing the data-driven scouting revolution, as evidenced by their recent connections to players like Chaka Traorè and their interest in talents in Ligue 2 or the Portuguese second league level.
Digital scouting: mora than just watching games...
Nowadays, scouting involves more than just physically going to games and watching a prodigy. To assess thousands of players across hundreds of leagues, the majority of clubs, including Milan, now mostly rely on digital systems. Mental profiling, AI-driven performance measurements, and video databases are becoming commonplace tools.
Sensitive contract notes, negotiation statuses, and confidential data are frequently found on these platforms. Scouts often need to access this data when on the road, at youth competitions, or working remotely from overseas. Staff rely on remote-access encrypted settings and secure downloads, such as those offered by CyberGhost, to do so safely and without jeopardizing club strategy.
The value of early detection and silent actions
Milan’s focus on signing young players with long-term potential rather than marquee names is no accident. It’s the product of a carefully crafted approach that combines traditional scouting intuition with modern tech.
Take the case of Malick Thiaw (who was sold for around 40 million euros to Newcastle). He arrived from Schalke in 2022. He wasn’t a global young star at the time of signing, but Milan’s scouts had tracked his progress long before others took notice. That kind of foresight often depends on a deep understanding of player trends and access to hard-to-reach scouting footage, especially for youth competitions not widely broadcast.
Here’s an illustration of how Milan consistently believed in Thiaw’s development when he was signed, as well as that of other new players at the time.
External validation: a continental trend...
In this strategic development, AC Milan isn’t alone. According to a 2023 UEFA technical analysis, teams are increasingly using hybrid scouting approaches, which combine traditional in-person reviews with data-based and video evaluations.
According to the survey, more than 75% of European clubs currently employ specialized digital scouting platforms, indicating that data security, remote viewing, and access management have become essential components of football's operating framework.
Final thoughts
To remain competitive in the global market, AC Milan must make wise financial decisions in addition to large ones. The “Rossoneri” are adopting a digital-first, security-conscious scouting methodology that could define the next generation of football greats in an era where scouting doesn’t stop at the final whistle.
The true game-changing maneuvers are taking place in the background, behind the scenes, with the aid of safe, tech-savvy tactics that make modern scouting not only effective but invisible, even though fans may only see the outcome: the goals, the trophies and the talent on the field.
