Milan, the seven-time European Cup champions, are hoping that they can return to trophy winning ways this season. The Rossoneri finished second in the Serie A last time out, only trailing fierce rivals Inter, but new manager Paulo Fonseca is hoping to reclaim the Scuddeto from the Nerrazzuri.
A.C Milan are a sleeping giant who havenโt won the Champions League since 2007 and have only won the league title once since 2012. They have watched rivals Juventus dominate and Inter Milanโs recent rise all too closely, but the last few seasons have certainly shown that Milan are ready to challenge again.
After winning the title in 2022 Milan had to settle for back-to-back top four finishes in 2023 and 2024. Where will they finish under new boss Fonseca in 2025? The Portuguese coach won three Ukranian leagues in a row with Shaktar Donetsk, and more recently led Lille to fifth and then fourth in Ligue 1.
Their new coachโs CV might be up for some debate, but there is no doubting the quality of their top summer signing Alvaro Morata. The Spanish striker has just won EURO2024 and has scored an average of 17 goals per season for the last five seasons running. Last year he scored 21 in all competitions for Atlรฉtico de Madrid.
The forward managed one goal and one assist at the Euroโs this summer and was keen in linking up play and providing space for Spainโs talented wingers. Perhaps opening up the space for Rafael Leรฃo to attack will be just as vital for Morata at the San Siro. Milan have also brought in Serbian defender Strahinja Pavloviฤ from RB Salzburg and right-back Emerson Royal for Tottenham this summer.
37 year old forward Olivier Giroud has departed the club, but Milan will have a pretty similar squad to that of last season. Christian Puliลกiฤ and Luka Joviฤ are other fantastic options to have in attack, and the likes of French pair Theo Hernรกndez and Mike Maignan bring real experience to the defensive side of this team.
AC Milan donโt strike us as having enough firepower to challenge for the title this season, but with the arrival of Morata in particular they have probably become a bit stronger. Younger talents like Yunus Musah and Noah Okafor will be hoping to show a bit more of their ability this year too, after both were key for their respective nations during this summerโs international tournaments.
With the current squad, Milan should finish in the top four again, and they can certainly challenge for the Coppa Italia. They start off their league campaign this weekend at home to Torino before trips to Parma and Lazio.
ย
Joseph OโSullivan | GIFN
