Rossoneri’s Reckoning: AC Milan Must Make Or Break

Last Updated:July 27, 2025, 14:46 IST

AC Milan's journey from their 18th Scudetto in 2011 to recent struggles highlights a turbulent decade.

AC Milan need to turn a corner if they are to conquer Europe again (Picture credit: AFP)

When AC Milan clinched their 18th Scudetto in 2011, with the imperious Zlatan Ibrahimović, Thiago Silva and Clarence Seedorf, few could have imagined the storm gathering on the horizon.

The Rossoneri’s rich tapestry of domestic dominance and European conquest began to unravel almost immediately. By the midpoint of the decade, San Siro’s hallowed turf had come to feel more like a stage for farce than for the magic that once thrilled the world.

The “Banter Era"

In the years following that last Scudetto triumph, Milan endured a malaise that fans derisively dubbed the “banter era." Financial mismanagement and frequent ownership upheavals led to the departure of seasoned stars and a revolving door of managers. 

Results teetered from unremarkable to disastrous, culminating in a 10th-place finish in 2014–15—the club’s lowest since the Second World War. Gone were the Champions League nights and the UEFA Super Cup triumphs. Supporters watched, aghast, as Milan slipped further from the summit they once ruled.

A Flicker

August 2018 brought a glimmer of promise with Paolo Maldini’s return as technical director and Stefano Pioli’s appointment in October 2019. The emphasis shifted towards youth, pragmatism and financial stability.

That vision culminated in an extraordinary 2021–22 season, when Milan’s youngest title-winning squad since 1994 dramatically lifted the Scudetto. Olivier Giroud’s brace and Franck Kessié’s late strike at Sassuolo encapsulated a collective spirit reborn.

Yet that triumph proved fleeting. Injuries, tactical rigidity and an ageing spine stifled momentum, and the veneer of success cracked far too quickly.

Season to Forget

The 2024–25 campaign will live in infamy. Under Paulo Fonseca and later Sergio Conceição, Milan stumbled to ninth in Serie A, amassing just 51 points by round 33—numbers not seen since 2014–15—ultimately finishing 8th with 63 points, missing European qualification.

An early Supercoppa Italiana victory and a fleeting unbeaten run in the Derby della Madonnina offered scant consolation. Defensive frailties, squandered penalties and tactical incoherence became recurring themes.

Protests at Casa Milan and a mass walk-out at San Siro laid bare the supporters’ fury. With Champions League football absent, the club’s hierarchy knew that nostalgia alone could not arrest the decline.

A Summer of Calculated Change?

The window that has followed is defined by pragmatism and ambition. Samuele Ricci arrives from Torino to fill the midfield creativity void left by Tijjani Reijnders’s departure to Manchester City. Luka Modrić’s free-transfer move from Real Madrid brings unparalleled vision and work-rate to the centre of the park, while Pietro Terracciano signs to potentially challenge Mike Maignan and shore up goalkeeping depth.

The acquisition of Pervis Estupiñán from Brighton promises athleticism and incisive forward thrust from left-back, after the loss of ever-dynamic Theo Hernández. Departures of club stalwarts Davide Calabria and Alessandro Florenzi freed up wages, and Pierre Kalulu’s move to Juventus underlined Milan’s commitment to reshaping the squad’s core.

Anatomy of the Squad

Massimiliano Allegri inherits a 29-man roster with an average age hovering around 25.4 years, balancing seasoned campaigners with emerging talents. In goal, Maignan remains the first choice, with Terracciano providing competition and home-grown prospects Matteo Pittarella and Lorenzo Torriani waiting in the wings.

The defensive line rests on the sturdy partnership of Fikayo Tomori and Malick Thiaw, flanked by the energetic Estupiñán and the versatile Davide Bartesaghi. In midfield, the blend of Modrić’s orchestration, Ricci’s intelligence and Ismaël Bennacer’s tactical nous synergises with the dynamic runs of Christian Pulisic, Youssouf Fofana and Yacine Adli. Upfront, Rafael Leão’s unpredictability dovetails with Álvaro Morata’s goal-scoring instinct (though it remains to be seen if he will stay) and Santiago Giménez’s physical presence, while Noah Okafor and Samuel Chukwueze offer directness and flair.

Back Under Allegri

Allegri’s hallmark pragmatism prioritises defensive solidity and swift transitions. Full-backs will supply width as Modrić and Ricci operate as inverted playmakers, exploiting pockets of space between opposition lines. Leão’s free-roaming runs and Morata’s ability to play of focal role (if harnessed) promise a dual threat, while Estupiñán’s wing-back role adds attacking verve down the left flank.

Maignan’s sweeper-keeper tendencies underpin a backline poised to absorb pressure and spring counterattacks. In Cup competitions, Allegri is likely to adopt a knockout-minded approach, leveraging squad depth to navigate the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana.

Aspirations and Pitfalls

The primary objective is clear: a top-four finish to restore Milan’s Champions League berth and prestige. Beyond league reconstruction, the Coppa Italia offers a tangible path to silverware and European qualification.

Success hinges on seamless integration of new signings, injury management and sustained squad unity. The Rossoneri cannot afford prolonged adjustment periods: every dropped point magnifies the risk of another mid-table slog.

Between Heritage and Horizon

AC Milan stands at an existential crossroads. The ghosts of the “banter era" and the fleeting Pioli renaissance serve as cautionary tales against complacency. Nostalgia for European nights and domestic glory must be matched by structural discipline and tactical clarity.

Allegri’s return and the summer’s targeted acquisitions signal a pragmatic reset. Should the Rossoneri marry youthful exuberance with veteran savvy, they could transcend mere restoration and re-establish themselves as titans of Italian football.

If not, Milan’s faithful may once again endure seasons of longing rather than celebration, pining for the halcyon days when the red and black reigned supreme. In a season brimming with possibility and peril, the Rossoneri’s fate hangs in the balance.

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

First Published:

News sports Rossoneri’s Reckoning: AC Milan Must Make Or Break