This is the post where I write about what to expect for this
season. And once again, this season is all about expectations. After the past seven
years or more at Milan, fans should have learned to temper our expectations.
But with all of the changes this summer, I fear the worst for unrealistic fans.
The
mercato is still not quite closed, either, so that isn’t helping the
expectation levels. But it is the beginning of the season, and that is always
exciting, one way or the other.
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| Great expectations |
Goalkeepers
I don’t know what needs to be said here. Gigio has pressure
from Reina for a starting berth, so it’s a win-win. And we saw last year that
Antonio stood tall when called upon, so we are great at this spot. Anyone
worried about Gigio’s performances of last year should take comfort in the fact
that when fans don’t abuse him and threaten him and his family, he plays like
we all know he can. We also have as of this writing Gabriel, Plizzari, and
Guarnone, simply a wealth of keepers. Reports say that Gabriel will be released
and is wanted at Perugia by Nesta. I assume the other two young keepers will be
loaned or sold as well.
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| We good. |
Defense
Originally, I was concerned about losing Bonucci. But
Romagnoli has already stepped it up with the armband, and Caldara looks very
exciting, too. Musacchio has not had any consistent playing time, but the more
he plays, the more confident he seems. We’ve also still got Zapata, who,
despite reputation, was very reliable last season when called upon. And, as if
having a 23 year-old captain at center back and a 24 year-old Caldara poised to
complete the starting pairing, it looks like Milan are calling the 23 year-old Simic
back from his loans. And there is a possibility they may keep the young Gabbia
in the squad, as well, to complete our center back roster.
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| The shiny new younger model impressing already |
Our right back spot is the fullback position I think most
are excited about. Conti, who was injured for most of last season, should be
back by the end of September. Behind him in line is probably Calabria, who has
been really solid on the right and really not if played on the left. Abate is
still in the squad, and can usually give us a solid 20-30 minutes when called
upon. Additionally, there is the possibility that the young Bellanova could
stay in the squad. And when all else fails, we also have the legendary right
back, Borini.
The left back spot belongs to Rodriguez, but will be
contested for by Strinic once he is 100%. Both played in the World Cup, even if
Strinic’s team made it to the final, Rodriguez is younger and more solid and
has played with the team for a year.
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| A very expensive backup? |
Midfield
Despite reinforcing at nearly every position this summer, we
still lack that solid center defensive midfielder that we’ve been missing since
Pirlo left in 2011. That’s a long time to go without a decent playmaker.
Despite fans pleading, praying, and begging for Milinkovic-Savic, UEFA’s FFP
rules are etched in stone, and Lotito has a vice grip on his jewel of a player.
This is the one position Milan most needed strengthening, but with two days
left of the mercato, there doesn’t seem to be much hope.
Starting at that spot will be Biglia, if a reinforcement
doesn’t arrive. Which is only slightly better than Montolivo, who refuses to
leave the club despite being told he is unwanted. There is also José Mauri, who
is surprisingly still at the club as well. Gattuso had mentioned possibly
playing Halilovic at this position, but he has said that he is more of an
attacking midfielder.
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| Is he threatening to take Suso's starting spot? |
Other midfielders include Kessie and the new Bakayoko, who
has been prematurely labeled as a very expensive vice-Kessie. On the left will
likely be Bonaventura or new signing Laxalt. Gattuso has insisted on keeping
Bertolacci for some unknown reason, although he can play at any spot in the
midfield, when he’s not rolling around or whining to the refs. And Halilovic
should actually be in this group, too. Calhanoglu is technically a
trequartista, but it is unlikely he’ll be played at that spot unless we change
systems.
The wingers have gotten more interesting. In addition to
Suso, the main reason Milan have played a 4-3-3 for so long, Castillejo plays
at the same spot and it will be interesting to see who starts there. Well,
obviously Borini would be first choice… I can’t even type that with a straight
face. There was talk of buying a left winger, but apparently the playing of
Calhanoglu at that spot will have to do. Or Bonaventura. Who knows?
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| The braided Uruguayan is just so happy to be here |
Strikers
There is Higuain, whose credentials speak for themselves.
And then there’s Cutrone, our top scorer from last season. That’s it. Unless
you want to add Borini to this category, too. But scoring is not his strength.
There is a chance that Gattuso may hang onto a young striker like Tsadjout and/or
Tiago Dias for depth, but depth is not a word I’d use to describe this
position. Imagine if both of them get injured? I shudder to think where our
goals would come from.
Formation
Thus far in the friendlies, Gattuso has pretty much used his
tried and true 4-3-3. Or is that tired and true? He said that he would be
working on other systems this summer. And he threatened to use a three man back
line, too. Let’s hope that was an empty threat, or that Bonucci’s exit changed
his mind. It will be very interesting to see what he does with so many new
players, especially considering that so many of them will challenge our
existing players at each position.
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| The striker we've been missing |
Manager
Having met Gattuso this summer, I can vouch that he is, in
fact, made up of pure grinta. Which is phenomenal when he was able to transmit
that to the team last year and lift them up out of their slump. And it’s
phenomenal in general, because it seems that for him, every match is do or die,
and that perhaps his children’s lives are in danger if we don’t perform well
enough. It also translates to lots of slaps on the backs of the heads, it’s a
good thing he’s not with the Primavera anymore, because that might be child
abuse.
But so much grinta can actually inhibit the transmission of new
ideas or the ability to receive inspiration for change, too. Sometimes, that
much passion can cause a manager to lose sight of the big picture and only
focus on one thing… I can only assume that’s how Kalinic started so much last
season. But Gattuso is going to have to branch out and try new things, not just
pigeonhole our new players into last year’s team. If he doesn’t, he could
easily end up the same as Montella, sacked by November. And Milan could end up
losing so many points, too. He’ll really need to show some tactical depth this
season, or we’ll be in trouble in Serie A and the Europa League, too. Or we
could always have Borini coach. He’s such a utility player.
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| So much grinta |
Season Forecast
With so much improvement in our depth this year, something
we’ve missed for a long time, one has to believe that we can finish above sixth
this year. Champions League Qualification is obviously the goal, but if we have
more management or coaching changes, more injuries, or whatever, fifth might be
more realistic.
In the Europa League, one would hope that we could do well. However,
the draw is scheduled to be held August 31st for our Group Stage, and there is
a chance we could get drawn in a group with the likes of Sarri’s Chelsea. So if
we get a good draw, I think we could make it to the Round of 16. But I also
wouldn’t mind bowing out at the Group Stage to focus on making it back to the Champions
League.
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| Bringing the Milan back to Milan |
Whatever the results on the pitch, our summer unexpectedly took
a turn for the best after pretty much the worst possible scenario. Elliott
Management are surprisingly hanging onto the club and making all the right
moves, including the impossible feat of bringing Maldini back home. That alone
is really better than winning trophies, but we still get to play the season on
the pitch, too. So even if we don’t complete the team by Friday’s transfer
deadline, there is some cause for great
expectations this season just by being more Milan than we have been in a very
long time.
This post inspired by the music of Savages’
“The Answer”
Our next match is
Serie A Week 1
Milan vs. Genoa
Sunday, August 19
• 20:30 CEST (2:30pm)