What Are Milan’s Champions League Chances Looking Like?

It’s been a long time since Milan were in the Champions League. What are their chances of returning next season? Image: Getty

As Milan continue to be linked with more and more players, you have to ask how good this Milan team can be. They’ve been linked with just about every striker on the market, and a slew of Serie A players. If they get the right signings, how far can they go?

Mirabelli Magic

It might be early in the transfer window, but Milan’s team of Mirabelli and Fassone have certainly gone to work, already securing the services of Franck Kessie, Ricardo Rodriguez, and Mateo Musacchio. They are rumored to have an agreement with Conti, and Keita’s approval is all that’s left in a €50 million swoop for both the Senegalese forward and Lucas Biglia. Simply put, Mirabelli and Fassone have put in a shift, and quite an effective one at that.

They’ve completely revitalized this Rossoneri team, bringing in three signings which could very easily become six or more within the next couple of weeks. These aren’t Galliani-type signings either. Pavoletti has become Belotti. Vangioni has become Ricardo Rodriguez. These are high-caliber players with tons of potential. If Milan can get most of their remaining targets (Conti, Biglia, Keita, an attacker) and make some other signings to reinforce the substitutes, there’s no doubt that they can challenge for a Champions League spot, perhaps even second place.

Best Offense is a Good Defense

Milan has finally strengthened their defense. With two signings already completed an a third one most likely on the way, it seems like the Rossoneri’s defensive instability will be no more. Mirabelli is doing the complete opposite of Galliani, building from the back up, and it’s just what Milan need to become competitive again in Europe.

Ricardo Rodriguez is a solid left back, and his crosses are regarded as some of the best in the world. Musacchio is a great center back, the only cause for concern being his tendency to become injured. Conti is a player bursting with potential. At just 23 years of age, the right back/midfielder burst onto the scene with Atalanta, scoring eight and assisting four times en route to a surprising sixth place finish for Atalanta.

And it’s not like Milan haven’t made purchases in other areas as well. Kessie is poised to become the next Essien, Biglia could finally be the regista that Milan have looked for for so long. Keita is full of potential, and he’s shown great scoring ability and has been a terror in attack for Lazio. An attacker, possibly Belotti or Aubameyang, would bring to Milan what they have been lacking since the departure of Ibra — a striker who they can count on to produce week in and week out.

By focusing on their defense as their primary objective, Milan’s leadership might just have found the perfect formula for rebuilding the club.

Season Projections

With all this change, where can the Rossoneri expect to find themselves at the end of next year’s season? Who knows? My best guess would be a fourth place season. They certainly have the potential to rise higher, perhaps even compete for the league title, but you have to understand that with such major change, there comes a period of readjustment. Milan may have the players and the coach to compete, but the rebuilding process is still slow. Once the team acclimates, we might just see Milan in a Champions League final again. But who am I to say?