No fan in August or September was expecting a memorable season given the team’s roster, but unfortunately that is exactly what they got as sixteen years have gone by since Milan ended a season in such a disastrous way. Much was predictable from the start as mister Allegri was initially not replaced for economical reasons and a summer transfer market that saw Saponara, Vergara, Poli, Silvestre, Coppola, Matri and Kakà join the Rossoneri can easily explain the negative record of season tickets sold during the Berlusconi management. What still puzzles most tifosi is why no intervention was made to re-enforce a shaky line-back which (like expectable) ended the first half of the Serie A allowing more goals than most teams who ended up fighting not descend in Serie B.

 

Results. None. The team has achieved exactly no pre-seasonal objectives in the last eight months, if not the mere accomplishment of going through the Champions League group, but shouldn’t that be a duty if you have a patch with seven trophies on your sleeve? The missed qualification to the UEFA Europa League (that could have been reached with a sixth place in Serie A or by playing the Coppa Italia final) surely represents the tragic moment the club is living. Momentarily forgetting about the prestige of competing for international trophies, European competitions also mean money and the club can’t afford to miss out a slice of Uefa’s introits. Furthermore no young talents were launched. Bryan Cristante apparently has all is needed to play professional football but has the misfortune of being raised in Italy, where chances are rarely given to players his age.

 

Key player of the season. Kakà surely gave a good contribution, setting an example of attachment to the team and of professionalism for most. Little more than nine goals in 37 caps can be asked to the Brazilian at the age of 32 and after the difficult seasons spent in Madrid. Luckily during the winter transfer market two significant and valuable players joined the squad bringing some enthusiasm with them: Rami and Taarabt. Unfortunately though, both were on loan and their future in Rossonero is still uncertain.

 

Flop player of the season. In order to be a flop something good must be expected of you. How many seriously believed that Constant, Matri, Emanuelson, Zaccardo or Silvestre were any better than what they showed during this season?

 

What do they need for the next season. What Milan needs is first of all to clear out any rivalry or incomprehension that there may or may not be in the management. No army will do well if its generals disagree, or worse, cannot stand each other. Straight after that a decision must be made regarding Seedorf’s future on the bench. The Dutchman has done well with the tools he was supplied and should be confirmed for the future. Once these priorities are sorted there must be no more sweeping under the carpet, no more random and useless players, no more Mesbahs, Didac Vilàs or Taiwos. There must be a clear and firm cut of the dead branches, at least six or seven players shouldn’t (and as a matter of fact should never had) be seen training in Milanello.

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