AC Milan

AC Milan have made an inauspicious start to the 2019-20 Serie A season under new manager Marco Giampaolo. 

After one loss and one win in August, they opened September with a 1-0 win at Hellas Verona before three consecutive defeats to Inter Milan, Torino and Fiorentina.

As a result, they now sit 16th in the Serie A table, just one point clear of the relegation spots:

AC Milan currently sit in 16th place 6 games through the Serie A season. pic.twitter.com/IF8oioj0Sq

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 29, 2019

AC Milan have lost four of the first six Serie A games for the first time since 1938-39

😳 pic.twitter.com/AZvNjc8CxH

— GOAL (@goal) September 29, 2019

          

AC Milan's Top September Stats

Goals: Krzysztof Piatek 2, Rafael Leao 1

Assists: Theo Hernandez 1 

Red Cards: Mateo Musacchio 1, Pepe Reina 1, Davide Calabria 1

Goals Conceded: 7

         

A look at the headline statistics from Milan's four games in September, and overall this season, makes for grim reading for Rossoneri fans:

After six rounds in Serie A, #ACMilan rank

1st in no. of red cards (3)
2nd in no. of yellow cards (18)
3rd in players dispossessed (64)
4th in percentage of shots from outside box (51%)
Last in goals from open play (2)
Last in shots on target (16)
(all figures via @WhoScored) pic.twitter.com/8MncPRTweD

— Adam Digby (@Adz77) September 30, 2019

They have scored as many goals as they have received red cards this month, and two of them have come from the penalty spot.

As a result of penalties scored against Verona and Torino, Polish forward Krzysztof Piatek is Milan's top goalscorer so far this season.

Meanwhile, Rafael Leao's fine goal in Sunday's 3-1 home defeat to Fiorentina represented Milan's only success from open play in the whole month:

There was one positive tonight for #ACMilan fans: Rafael Leao's debut goal. #MilanFiorentina #SerieA pic.twitter.com/P2e26mP3cC

— Football Italia (@footballitalia) September 29, 2019

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been far from the worst player for Milan this term and saved a Federico Chiesa penalty to limit the damage against Fiorentina.

In Thursday's 2-1 defeat at Torino, though, he was some way from his best.

However, the 20-year-old goalkeeper cannot shoulder the blame for Milan's current malaise given the players in front of him can barely muster a goal between them.

Giampaolo is working with a young squad:

23 years, 224 days - Tonight's is the second youngest starting XI for Milan in Serie A since 1994/95, after the one in Crotone-Milan in August 2017 (23 years and 159 days). Future. #TorinoMilan

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) September 26, 2019

And it is one that is lacking discipline, with Milan's three red cards and 18 yellows the worst record of any club in Serie A this term.

To make matters even worse, their city rivals, Inter, are flying high at the top of the table having won six games in six.

Lying in store for Milan in October are Serie A matches against Genoa, Lecce, Roma and SPAL.

If results do not pick up, Giampaolo may find himself out of a job come November. 

Former AC Milan chief executive officer Adriano Galliani has said he'd sign Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi and defended the player's wife, Wanda Nara, whom he feels is subject to football's "machismo."

It's not common for players at the San Siro to transfer directly from one of Milan's giants to the other, but Galliani hopes an exception may be made for Icardi.

He recently spoke to Corriere della Sera (h/t Goal's Michael Plant) and criticised football's macho mentality for the way Nara—Icardi's agent, as well as his wife—is often treated in the media:

“The Icardi saga has been amplified by the machismo that governs the world of football. Whenever Wanda Nara opens her mouth, a hurricane is unleashed. 

“Yet if great agents like Mino Raiola or Jorge Mendes behaved in the same way, no one would complain.

“Icardi, however, is a very good striker. If I could, I’d take him right away.”

Former Nerazzurri captain Icardi, 26, looks to be on his way out of the San Siro this summer. It's understood the player's contract negotiations have rumbled on for months now, while Romelu Lukaku recently joined Inter as his expected replacement.

Sportswriter Richard Hall said during a recent appearance on Love Sport Radio that all signs are pointing towards Icardi leaving the Nerazzurri:

🗣️ "They can’t make it any clearer Lukaku's come to replace him"@RichHall80 from @footballitalia thinks it's only a matter of time before Mauro Icardi leaves Inter Milan.

📞 WhatsApp - 0208 70 20 558
📲 Listen - https://t.co/XWhRQgRLH7 pic.twitter.com/24wBQgPboi

— Love Sport Radio (@lovesportradio) August 13, 2019

Galliani, 75, served as Milan vice-chairman and CEO from 1986 to 2017, helping the Rossoneri win five UEFA Champions League crowns and eight Serie A titles during that reign. 

Icardi hasn't been involved in Antonio Conte's plans since he took over at Inter this summer. There's a little less than two weeks left in the summer transfer window for most of Europe's top leagues.

Inter have their supposed replacement in Lukaku, though finding a suitor for his predecessor remains the dilemma. Icardi has scored 64 goals in the past three seasons, yet he remains marooned at Inter with an uncertain season ahead.

Former Inter and AS Roma director Walter Sabatini recently suggested Nara is preventing Icardi from reaching his potential and said he'd "find a boyfriend for Wanda" if he controlled the striker's fate.

Journalist Sacha Pisani recently highlighted the ongoing interest reported from each of Italy's major clubs:

All eyes on Icardi now.

Roma want Mauro, while Napoli are still interested in bringing him to Stadio San Paolo.

Juventus also monitoring situation.

This transfer market needs Icardi to swap Inter for AC Milan 🤭 pic.twitter.com/sVB3fEVVqH

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) August 9, 2019

Nara, 32, has long held a high-profile position in Italian football media. Her name first rose to prominence when she left ex-husband Maxi Lopez—with whom she has three sons—for his former Sampdoria team-mate, Icardi.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has hinted in the past that he had trouble negotiating Icardi's situation with Nara, per Goal:

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis on Icardi rumours:

“It is colossal, enormous stupidity. I met Wanda Nara three years ago and I have no intention of ever meeting her again. That meeting was enough. Also because Icardi is not a player Napoli need at the moment.”

😬 pic.twitter.com/Igkmb8AKBp

— GOAL (@goal) July 11, 2019

Galliani's recent remarks hit out at sexist undertones that exist in football. Nara may be a controversial figure, but it could also be true she's unfairly maligned in her role as an agent because of the fact she's a woman.

The Rossoneri could face a monumental challenge in convincing their fiercest rivals to sell even an unwanted asset, though Inter's willingness to sell Icardi might make a late deal possible.

Former AC Milan chief executive officer Marco Fassone has said Cristiano Ronaldo was open to joining the Rossoneri before he completed a €112 million transfer to Juventus last summer.

Ronaldo's arrival from Real Madrid strengthened Juventus' grip on Serie A as they ran to an eighth successive Scudetto last season. However, Fassone told Sportitalia (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani) the Portuguese also considered Milan.

The former club chief said: "The president wanted Cristiano Ronaldo, but the figures told us this was inadvisable. Ronaldo was open to evaluating the opportunity, as Milan are a famous club and there was enthusiasm around us. However, we never went beyond some internal calculations and seeing if he was potentially open to it."

Ex-Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli said Ronaldo was close to joining the Rossoneri prior to completing his Juventus transfer, per Pisani's report.

However, the former ownership—led by Chinese businessman Li Yonghong—blocked the move just before hedge fund Elliott Management took control of the club in July 2018.

Ronaldo, 34, enjoyed a successful first campaign in Italy and scored a hat-trick against old rivals Atletico Madrid to secure a famous comeback in the UEFA Champions League round of 16:

One year ago today... Juventus announced the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid 7️⃣

⚽️ 28 goals
🅰️ 10 assists
🏆 1 Serie A title

Not a bad first season... Be you just know he wants more.pic.twitter.com/0lxSgO2MSW

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 10, 2019

Milan came fifth in Serie A to register their best league finish since 2013, and form noticeably improved after striker Krzysztof Piatek joined the club from Genoa in January.

Elliott Management's takeover of Milan is a sign of the financial troubles they've experienced in recent years. Ronaldo's arrival could have given their revenue a welcome boost, though Juventus benefit from being a publicly traded entity in this scenario:

Since Ronaldo joined Juventus, the club has become worth more than €1bn.

And he hasn't even scored a goal yet 💰 pic.twitter.com/ABmXx4UBfM

— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 25, 2018

Economist Michelangelo Verna told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia) in July 2018 that Juventus would make €50 million per year in increased revenue based on the player's €30 million-per-year net salary.

Business Insider's Alan Dawson wrote last year that the Bianconeri sold €60 million worth of Ronaldo jerseys in the first 24 hours following his move from Madrid. They can expect his name to sell well annually, though not nearly as successfully as it did immediately after his transfer.

Milan once boasted the talents of Brazilian legends Ronaldo (2007-08) and Ronaldinho (2008-11), but their attempts to sign the third iconic namesake fell short.

AC Milan confirmed the signing of Rafael Leao from Lille on Thursday.

News came via the club's Twitter account that the deal had been done, with the 20-year-old agreeing a five-year contract:

Official Statement: Rafael Leão ➡ https://t.co/4mJ10QES6C

Comunicato Ufficiale: Rafael Leão ➡ https://t.co/cRBwOeel8F pic.twitter.com/uREr8CS3QD

— AC Milan (@acmilan) August 1, 2019

Per Football Italia, the Serie A side will pay an initial €30 million to sign the Portugal youth international, with add-ons to follow.

Leao emerged as one of the brightest prospects in French football in the 2018-19 campaign, as he excelled for a Lille side that managed to secure an unexpected runners-up finish in Ligue 1.

He made 24 appearances in the French top flight in total, netting eight goals and laying on three assists in the process. Leao operated primarily as a centre-forward, helping to form an excellent attacking unit alongside Nicolas Pepe and Jonathan Bamba.

Leao has also made five appearances for the Portugal under-21 side, although as of yet, he's not found the net at that level.

French football journalist Jeremy Smith thinks the deal taking the youngster to Milan is a good one for all parties:

Milan have confirmed their signing of Rafael Leao from Lille.
Great talent - pity we didn't get to see more of him in Ligue 1. But too good an offer for him and Lille to refuse. https://t.co/cZCIL5AQHL

— Jeremy Smith (@jeremysmith98) August 1, 2019

Leao will add a different dimension to what is shaping up to be a vibrant offensive lineup in the 2019-20 season for the Rossoneri.

The new Milan man is dynamic on the ball and always seeks to be positive in possession. Leao has also showcased strong penalty-box instincts in his short career so far, as he's able to finish with both feet and is capable in the air, too.

Per OptaPaolo, for his age, Leao was one of the most productive players in Europe last season: 

1999 - Rafael #Leão is one of the three players born after 1/1/1999 to have scored 8+ goals in the top-5 European Leagues 2018/19, with Jadon Sancho and Kai Havertz. Future. pic.twitter.com/TUxFPmOEvS

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) July 27, 2019

Milan manager Marco Giampaolo now has an abundance of attacking quality to call upon. It'll be intriguing to see if he decides to field Leao in tandem with big-money January signing Krzysztof Piatek, or if the latest acquisition will be expected to make an impression from the bench initially.

In Leao, the Rossoneri have managed to secure one of the most exciting rising stars in European football. But given he's still just 20 years old, a spell of transition should be expected in a more challenging league and at a more high-profile club.

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is hoping the club can qualify for the UEFA Champions League next season after missing out by one point in 2018/19.

The Rossoneri finished fifth in Serie A on 68 points, while Atalanta and Inter Milan each accrued 69.

The 20-year-old told Milan TV (h/t Goal's Stephen Creek):

"It's upsetting that we won't be in Europe this year but as our coach and director said, we can now focus on returning to the Champions League, where the club deserves to be.

"We were qualified for the Champions League with just 10 minutes to go but we all know how it ended.

"We were all disappointed but it has to be a boost for us to achieve our goal this year."

Milan finished the season with four consecutive wins, including a 3-2 victory against SPAL on the final day.

Inter looked set to draw their final match and finish behind their city rivals when Empoli's Hamed Traore scored in the 76th minute, but Radja Nainggolan netted a second goal for the Nerazzurri five minutes later to secure a top-four finish.

Milan were set to play in the UEFA Europa League, but they will be banned from European competition next season for breaching UEFA's financial fair play regulations, per Tariq Panja of the New York Times:

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1144575684729344000

The Rossoneri have a long and storied history in Europe's elite club competition, and only Real Madrid have won more than their seven titles.

However, their most recent Champions League appearance was in the 2013/14 season.

Every other team who finished in Serie A's top eight last season will be involved in European competition next term, so Milan should be fresher than their rivals in the battle to finish in the top four.

If the league is as close as it was last season, that freshness could swing the race in the Rossoneri's favour.

AC Milan's chief football officer Zvominir Boban has discussed the transfer rumours involving star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, saying the Italy international will stay at the San Siro "for the moment." 

Boban spoke to Calciomercato (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic), admitting things could change in the future: "[Milan director Paolo] Maldini said that we are happy to have probably the best goalkeeper in the world, surely the best talent in the world in that role. For the moment, he remains. He can change, but it is not said that he will leave."

Per Kalinic, Paris Saint-Germain are among the clubs interested in the 20-year-old. Corriere dello Sport (h/t TalkSport) also linked Manchester United to the youngster.

Boban, who spent the bulk of his career with the club as a player, became chief football officer of the Rossoneri last month:

Despite his young age, Donnarumma has been Milan's No. 1 option in goal for some time. He made his debut in the 2015-16 campaign at the age of 16, quickly surpassing Diego Lopez and Christian Abbiati in the pecking order.

Initially a fan favourite, the relationship between the goalkeeper and supporters has soured over the years. He was showered with fake money during a match with the Italian under-21 squad in 2017 while in the middle of a contract dispute with the Rossoneri.

Donnarumma has been a solid force for Milan, but they have struggled on and off the pitch of late.

Last month, they were officially banned from the upcoming UEFA Europa League for a breach of financial fair play regulations, per sports writer James Horncastle:

Belated CAS ruling announces Milan are excluded from participating in the UEFA Club Competitions of the 2019/20 season. Roma hop into the group stages. Torino must prepare for the preliminaries pic.twitter.com/X96IIZAEGL

— James Horncastle OMRI (@JamesHorncastle) June 28, 2019

The financial issues that have plagued the club mean the Rossoneri need to sell in order to balance the books, and Donnarumma is one of their most valuable assets. Clubs in need of a new goalkeeper would be investing in an established star who is still just 20 years old and has ample room to grow as a player.

Milan appear desperate to keep hold of their 'keeper, however, and Donnarumma has reportedly told the ownership he wants to stay. Per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), he is even willing to sign a new contract at a lower annual salary in order to help rebuild the squad.

PSG's best offer for Donnarumma was reportedly a package of cash plus Alphonse Areola, which was rejected by the Rossoneri. Milan have another star prospect in Alessandro Plizzari.

United have less of a direct need for Donnarumma than PSG, who parted with Gianluigi Buffon after just one season. Things could change if David De Gea opts to leave, however, and he'll be a free agent at the end of next season, per Transfermarkt.

AC Milan have been banned from participating in the UEFA Europa League next season for breaching financial fair play regulations. 

Football writer James Horncastle relayed the decision made by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on Friday:

Belated CAS ruling announces Milan are excluded from participating in the UEFA Club Competitions of the 2019/20 season. Roma hop into the group stages. Torino must prepare for the preliminaries pic.twitter.com/X96IIZAEGL

— James Horncastle OMRI (@JamesHorncastle) June 28, 2019

UEFA hit the Rossoneri with a two-year ban in 2018 for FFP breaches, but the club successfully appealed and took part in the Europa League last season.

They were due to participate in the competition again next season after missing out on a UEFA Champions League berth with a fifth-placed finish in Serie A.

Sixth-placed Roma will take their automatic spot in the group stage, while Torino, who finished seventh, will now take part in qualifying as Italy's second representative in the competition.

Football writer Tariq Panja relayed CAS' full statement:

https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1144556780304969730

The Europa League ban will close off one avenue to the Champions League for the Rossoneri, along with the chance of winning a major trophy.

However, their absence from the competition will also ease their workload dramatically, allowing them to put more focus on their domestic efforts.

The Rossoneri only finished one point behind third-placed Atalanta and fourth-placed Inter Milan. With their rivals occupied by European football, Milan have a promising opportunity to improve on last season's performance.

AC Milan have announced Leonardo will leave his role as sporting director after the club accepted his resignation with immediate effect on Tuesday.

Leonardo, 49, previously served as director of Paris Saint-Germain and joined Milan in July 2018, helping the club place fifth in Serie A this season (their highest league finish since 2013).

The Rossoneri confirmed his departure via their official website. A statement from chief executive officer Ivan Gazidis read:

"Leonardo joined AC Milan in its hour of need a few short weeks before the closing of the summer transfer window. Under very difficult circumstances he put his heart and soul into addressing a highly complicated situation and transmitting his energy and his ambition to the team. I am very grateful to Leonardo for everything he has contributed to our great Club and wish him well in his future endeavours."

The statement concluded that a replacement sporting director will be named "in due course."

Leonardo follows Gennaro Gattuso out of the exit after the former player and manager announced he would also be stepping down. The ex-Rossoneri midfielder had a contract until 2021 but told the club not to pay off the remainder after he failed to get his old club back into the UEFA Champions League, per La Repubblica (h/t Guardian).

Broadcaster Matteo Bonetti appeared uninspired by the prospect of another remodelling process at the San Siro:

The future of Paolo Maldini will be announced later. Ivan Gazidis had a very different outlook on the club, perhaps more realistic given the finances and lack of Champions League. Invest in youth that have a resale value down the line.

— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) May 28, 2019

Leonardo had a leading role in transfer business and was reported as a key proponent in the transfer to trade Leonardo Bonucci back to Juventus in place of Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara.

The ex-midfielder—who represented Milan and Paris Saint-Germain at club level and was capped 55 times for Brazil—also managed Milan for a single season in 2009-10 before he left to coach their fiercest rivals, Inter Milan.

Sportswriter Sacha Pisani said the Milan giants had become too accustomed to appointing personnel with ties to the club in senior positions:

Ex-players Leonardo, Seedorf, Inzaghi & Gattuso have come and gone.

Time for a change & move away from the Milan connection. Fresh input needed.

Simone Inzaghi?
Sarri?
Gasperini?
Di Francesco?
Giampaolo?

— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) May 28, 2019

Milan will hope to retain as much of their 2018-19 squad as possible after failing to qualify for Europe's top-tier competition, with a new sporting director set to take over their recruitment efforts ahead of the summer.

Gennaro Gattuso has announced the decision to step down as AC Milan manager on Tuesday. 

The former Italy international told La Repubblica (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"Deciding to leave Milan's bench is not easy. But it's a decision I had to make. 

"There was not a precise moment in which I made it, it was the sum of these 18 months as coach of a team that for me will never be like the others. Months that I lived with great passion, unforgettable months. 

"Mine is a painful but thoughtful choice. 

"Am I giving up a two-year contract? Yes, because my story with Milan can never be a question of money."

Gattuso had recently told DAZN (h/t Burton) the pressure was getting to him: "I've barely slept in the past 18 months, mentally I'm in pieces."

He makes way after the Rossoneri missed out on UEFA Champions League football.

Milan won each of their last four matches but finished fifth in Serie A on 68 points, one behind third-placed Atalanta and fourth-placed Inter Milan.

The Italian side also exited the UEFA Europa League in the group stage on goal difference, having taken 10 points from their six matches.

Gattuso took the Milan position midway through the 2017-18 campaign following a tough start to the season for the Rossoneri. Despite his limited managerial experience, he was able to get more from the players than predecessor Vincenzo Montella and steered Milan to sixth spot, as well as the Coppa Italia final.

As a result of his fine work, the Italian was handed the job permanently at Milan and signed a contract until 2021.

Despite bringing in the likes of Gonzalo Higuain—who left in January and was replaced by Krzysztof Piatek—Pepe Reina, Mattia Caldara and Samu Castillejo in high-profile summer transfers, the team struggled to find consistency and were held to 11 draws.

Here's a look at his overall record:

Gennaro Gattuso as Milan manager 🔴⚫️

👔 82 matches
✅ 40 wins
🤝 22 draws
❌ 20 defeats pic.twitter.com/fopX6AOQpa

— GOAL (@goal) May 28, 2019

1.81 - AC Milan averaged a 1.81 points/game in Serie A under Gennaro #Gattuso, less only than Juventus (2.44) and Napoli (2.13) over the same period (since 27/11/2017). Ringhio. pic.twitter.com/efhNFMNynK

— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 28, 2019

While the Milan fans will be hopeful a new manager brings in some fresh impetus, the club still have a long way to go before they can be considered one of the major forces in European football again.

For so long, the San Siro outfit have been without direction. On the pitch, they have made numerous costly acquisitions seemingly without a plan of how to get the best out of the new players. In terms of managers, no one has been in place long enough to get a blueprint instilled to aid the team's progression.

Gattuso lit a fire under Milan when he first arrived, although he seemingly lacked the tactical acumen and man-management skills needed to succeed when those flames ceded. Still, whoever replaces the 41-year-old has a massive task on their hands to get the Rossoneri challenging for prizes again.

AC Milan legend Andriy Shevchenko wants to manage the Rossoneri at some point in the future.

The 42-year-old, who has managed the Ukraine national side since 2016, also praised former team-mate and current Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso for his work at the San Siro.

He told DAZN (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani):

"Milan are a club that's a part of my life. However, I'm busy with the Ukrainian national team right now and Gattuso is already doing a great job. 

"Certainly, I'd like to coach Milan one day because I'm very attached to them, the fans and my former team-mates. 

"Maybe it'll be my turn to coach Milan one day."

Shevchenko scored 175 goals in 322 appearances for Milan, with whom he won Serie A, the UEFA Champions League and the Coppa Italia once apiece.

Milan are not the same force they were during his time at the club, though. They most recently won the Scudetto in 2010-11, and their finishes since coming third in the 2012-13 campaign have ranged from 10th to sixth.

Gattuso took charge in December 2017 and guided them to sixth last season. With three matches remaining in this campaign, Milan are fifth, three points off the top four and a Champions League place.

ESPN's Matteo Bonetti observed nerves in their ranks when Lucas Paqueta was sent off during their clash with Bologna on Monday:

The nervousness from Milan players last few rounds has been incredible. Paqueta now sent off

— Matteo Bonetti (@Bonetti) May 6, 2019

Despite his red card, Milan held on for a 2-1 win, while Bologna finished the match with nine men after Nicola Sansone and Mitchell Dijks were both sent off in the 96th minute.

Football writer Matthew Santangelo has been frustrated witnessing Ajax reach the semi-final of the Champions League after the Rossoneri's five-season absence from the competition:

It makes my blood boil seeing other historically big clubs play and succeed in the UEFA Champions League, while my Milan sit on the sidelines....

— Matt Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) May 8, 2019

Gattuso may yet deliver Champions League football, but his side have scored just 49 goals in 35 Serie A matches this season, the worst attacking record in the top six.

Former striker Shevchenko might be able to coax more from the team going forward.

His Ukraine side missed out on 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification after finishing behind Iceland and eventual runners-up Croatia.

However, they achieved promotion from their UEFA Nations League B group and have picked up four points from their first two UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches, including a draw in Portugal.

If he continues to take Ukraine forward and perhaps adds some experience of club management to his CV in the coming years, he would likely be an appealing option at the San Siro.