All aboard the roller-coaster! [Newsletter]

It was yet another disappointing weekend for AC Milan after a second consecutive mid-week boost, losing 3-1 to Udinese after the favourable Champions League draw. The Rossoneri’s current campaign - if it wasn’t already - is thus becoming more and more like a roller-coaster.

As much as we would like it not to be the case, it’s evident that Milan’s season in Serie A and Champions League respectively are completely separate. After knocking out Tottenham in the Round of 16, the Rossoneri got just a 1-1 draw at home against Salernitana and after the favourable quarter-finals draw, they lost 3-1 to Udinese. As always, if you want the news bulletin straight away, scroll down!

And as much as we would like to say that it’s astonishing and inexplicable, those are two adjectives that simply don’t fit reality. In fact, it’s obvious to everyone that the attitude shown in the Champions League is far superior compared to the one we have seen in the league (just 15/36 points claimed in 2023), hence the defensive approach at home against Salernitana.

The Primavera side, Milan’s U19 team that is, are a great example of such a situation. Well, almost anyway. They have struggled to assert themselves in the league and head coach Ignazio Abate has blamed this on the unwillingness of the opponents to play anything but defensive football, while in the UEFA Youth League their modern approach works better.

Pioli and Milan’s issues don’t come down to defensive opponents, though, but the parallel remains interesting as it highlights just how much difference there can be between two competitions. Champions League opponents may be tougher to face, but in Milan’s case this has elevated their qualities rather than undermine them. They are simply bolder and more willing in Europe.

Believing that Milan have been extraordinary in the Champions League lately would be foolish, though, as we only have the even-worse off Tottenham as a reference. But there is something to the notion that the Rossoneri’s collective efforts improve on the big stage, which is something we need to see always regardless of the opposition.

Pioli and his men will have the international break to recharge the batteries and hopefully, come up with some new tactical solutions. Napoli are up next and that game could set the tone for the two-legged affair in the Champions League. Maybe that is the game that will help Milan unlock the mental barrier that is preventing them from playing like a team in Serie A as well. Just maybe.

News bulletin

➤ Milan’s Primavera side were unable to build on their recent good form as they lost 2-1 away against Empoli on Sunday despite a good performance and a Diego Sia goal. Meanwhile, Hajduk Split were confirmed as the UEFA Youth League semi-final opponents for next month and some news on Chaka Traore's contract emerged.

➤ Milan Women began the Poule Scudetto phase with a 2-0 loss against Juventus, however, that did not tell the whole story as the Rossonere missed a penalty in the first half and squandered many chances.

➤ Owner Gerry Cardinale is due back in Italy this week and despite the fact the team are struggling on the field his priorities will be to address off-field issues in the future. A fourth potential site has emerged for the new stadium project, with the pros and of each having been summarised here.

➤ Gianluca Di Marzio remains optimistic that Milan will eventually reach an agreement with Rafael Leao over a new contract because the will of the Portuguese forward is to stay, which is a 'fundamental prerequisite'. 

➤ Finishing in the top four in Serie A is a fundamental target that Milan absolutely cannot miss out on. As a result, everyone is under scrutiny including Stefano Pioli, Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara. They all have contracts for next season, but without qualification for the next edition of the Champions League, they may be at risk as per a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

➤ Transfer targets round-up: Gift Orban, Marko Grujic, Renato Sanches, Elye Wahi, Houssem Aouar, Lois Openda, Mateo Kovacic, Noah Okafor, Mohammed Kudus, Micky van de Den, Antonino Gallo and Emanuele Valeri.

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