The Italian league season is still over a week away and anticipation is already building over what should be a fantastic year in Serie A. Last season saw AC Milan win the Scudetto for the first time since 2003/4 under new coach Massimiliano Allegri. It was a remarkable achievement in his first season at the club and he will be looking to continue their progress this season.
Although Serie A has been rather overlooked in recent years the big clubs are beginning to regain their status worldwide. There was further example of this in with Udinese’s performance against Arsenal on Tuesday night. The Calciopoli scandal that rocked Italian football saw the league dominated by city rivals Internazionale but the stranglehold has finally been broken. Indeed, only two weeks ago Milan beat Inter in the SuperCoppa Italia to confirm their status as the number one Italian side.
The current squad Allegri has assembled is an excellent blend of youth and experience. For too long the club was associated with having an ageing squad but it is beginning to change. The renowned training facility, Milanelo, which has been credited with extending the careers of several key players in recent years is still thriving and enabling the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf to prolong their careers.
However, the club are beginning to invest in more youthful players which is one of the key factors in Milan being crowned Champions last season. They added Kevin-Prince Boateng, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho last summer and all played an integral part in the Scudetto triumph. This summer has seen them add the experienced Philippe Mexes and the highly promising Taye Taiwo who will provide excellent defensive cover to compliment Nesta and Thiago Silva.
The acquisition of Boateng at the start of last season proved to be inspired. The German born midfielder had a torrid time in England but at last has begun to demonstrate the ability he has. He scored the winning goal in the SuperCoppa to cement his place as one of Milan’s key players. His energy and dynamism allied with Seedorf’s creativity and Gennaro Gattuso’s determination ensures that Milan can cope with whatever is thrown at them. The coach’s purchase of Mark van Bommel from Bayern Munich proved to be a masterstroke as he aided the club towards clinching their 18th Serie A title.
However, it is up front where Milan’s real brilliance lies. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, possibly the biggest enigma in world football, was really the player that enhanced the side and turned them into league champions. Having played successfully for Inter for a number of years, the move from Barcelona last summer certainly raised some eyebrows. His virtuoso performances last season proved crucial and his league return of 14 goals and 11 assists in 28 games was exactly what the club needed. Once considered a liability, Zlatan appears to be calming and has responded brilliantly to Allegri’s methods.
He is aided incredibly well in attack by Antonio Cassano, Alexander Pato and Robinho which makes them a real force to contend with; not just in Italy but throughout Europe. Any manager in the world would want options like that and the coach has chosen and rotated well thus far. It must be mentioned though that three of the players mentioned are prone to histrionics if not treated as they would like.
The main objective for Milan will be to retain the Scudetto but the importance of doing well in the Champions League cannot be underestimated. The club has an incredible history in Europe’s elite competition; having won it an impressive seven times. Every club on the continent is attempting to close the gap on Barcelona and Allegri will be eager to show his team can compete at the very highest level.
It is certainly all there for Allegri and his squad to fulfil their ambitions and be successful again this season. The competition around them has improved significantly but this Milan side are capable of lifting their game again. It is all set up to be an enthralling season for the Rossoneri.
