The season is just about to get underway and for yet another year running, for Milan it is the case of the same old, same old.
The arrivals of Mario Yepes, aged 34, and Sokratis Papastathopoulas and Kevin Prince Boateng who is being loaned from Genoa, have not been enough to rejuvenate a seriously ageing squad.
The likes of Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo and Alessandro Nesta will again be relied upon to deliver for the Rossoneri, however, these players are only another year older and are not quite the players they once were. Gianluca Zambrotta and Massimo Ambrosini also fall into this category.
Ronaldinho, who is also not the player he once was, will again be relied upon to be the driving force behind Milan’s attack and much of Milan’s hopes will rest upon the performances of the former Barcelona star.
Despite everything, in Alexandre Pato and Thiago Silva Milan have perhaps two of the best young talents in Europe. If Thiago can build on his performances from last season and if Pato can keep relatively injury free, they both will help the Milan cause greatly this season.
In addition, this season new coach Massimiliano Allegri has promised to instil some of Milan’s young starlets which will help add some much needed hunger, speed and enthusiasm to his outfit.
Alexander Merkel is one such starlet that may prove to be a great addition to the first team whilst the likes of Andrea De Vito and Simone Verdi may also show their worth if given a chance.
As of now, talks are well underway to bring the former Inter hit man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, to Milan. If the Swede does decide to move to Milan, he will greatly increase Milan’s prospects for the season. Though the midfield looks worryingly thin on quality and depth, with Zlatan’s arrival Milan will be able to boast perhaps one of the most feared strike forces in Europe with Ronaldinho and Pato playing alongside.
Much depends on whether or not the Swede will arrive. If the Milan squad stays as it is, then it will be another season where for Milan fans it will be the case of hoping the team avoids disaster rather than dreaming of silverware.
A note on Milan’s champions league prospects; the draw has again been very unkind to Milan. Again, the Rossoneri have been paired alongside Real Madrid who are now coached by Jose Mourinho. Milan fans do not need reminding of what Jose Mourinho’s Inter did against them last term.
In addition to Real, Milan will have to face off with Auxerre and former European heavyweights, Ajax. It is not an easy draw by any means and perhaps only Inter’s group is slightly more difficult.
Serie A Prediction: 4th
Champions League Prediction: Second Round
Key men: Alexandre Pato, Ronaldinho, Alessandro Nesta
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