Addio 2014. Benvenuto 2015

2014 was a rough year for Milan. We sacked two managers, one of whom is a club legend and the other helped bring the Rossoneri a Scudetto title in his first year managing Milan.We saw the departure of Mario Balotelli this past summer which was a sad way to cut ties with a potential long relationship together. 2014 wasn't friendly for us, at least until the latter part of the year.

Milan currently are playing well in December, with wins against Udinese and Napoli, a draw against the second best club in Italy in Roma and recently winning the Dubai FC trophy in Dubai against Real Madrid 4-2. Looking at Milan right now, 2015 could be special.

As for our account, we have come a long way over the course of 2014. We have connected with almost 2,500 followers on Twitter and have worked with Italian Football Daily and Rossoneri TV as well, which has been a real treat. In 2015, we hope that Milan can get back into the Champions League and reestablish themselves as a European giant once again.

On behalf of the A.C. Milan Brothers, we would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. We thank you for continually showing your support in what we do. To the first followers we connected with, thank you for staying with us. To those who joined us in 2014, benvenuto! May Milan achieve greatness once again and allow us, as a global Milan family, to share in the success together. Cheers to 2015 and Forza Milan!

A Niang-Muriel swap deal between Milan and Udinese?

According to multiple sources around Europe, Milan and Udinese are discussing a potential swap deal for two players perhaps looking to make a change. The 20 year old Milan forward M'Baye Niang would move to Udinese while Luis Muriel would head to the San Siro as the Rossoneri continue to try and solve the issues up top. 

Niang has been with Milan for a few years already and was considered to be a future starter with Milan upon arrival. However, the lack of minutes for Niang has given Milan fans the indication that perhaps he isn't expected to be a part of the club for much longer. There is little doubt about his ability. Niang has speed, size and raw talent that managers would love to get in their squad. Despite his lack of playing time, he still has good value for a team looking for a player to develop.

Muriel is a different story. The 23 year old Colombian international has always received praise for his ability. However, questions surrounding his weight have caused issues with his managers. In 2012,

former Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin told La Gazzetta dello Sport that "if he wants to talk with me, he should lose 5 pounds." So this isn't the first time that Muriel has been criticized for his lack of preparation and conditioning. 

Most Milan supporters would be opposed to any deal bringing Muriel to Milan given his issues. However, the Rossoneri has good history in dealing with players with question marks not including talent, with the most recent player being Adel Taarabt. Many, including myself, questioned the move for a few reasons. However, Taarabt understood that he was playing for one of the biggest clubs in Europe and he made the most of it. I'm not saying that Muriel will come here and definitely perform but its worth noting that he is only 23 and still hasn't touched his ceiling. 

Muriel has great ability and in 2012, he showcased that. The Colombian was awarded Serie A Young Footballer of the Year for 2012, sharing the honor with Stephan El Shaarawy. If I'm Adriano Galliani, I would definitely consider bringing in Muriel while he is a potential buy-low option with upside. This could be a player that shows his worth with Milan, his first big stage club. 

Each player's agent has reportedly denied any deal. However, that certainly doesn't rule out any move between the two clubs looking to address needs this January transfer window. Newcastle United is also reportedly interested in Niang so keep your eyes on any news surrounding him this January. 

Latest: Alessio Cerci-Fernando Torres swap deal.

 For the past few weeks, there have been ongoing talks about a potential Cerci for Torres swap deal between Atletico Madrid and A.C. Milan. On Christmas Eve, talks began to heat up as Milan and Atletico Madrid reportedly agreed to the deal that would send Italian attacker Alessio Cerci to Milan and Fernando Torres back to his very first club, Atletico Madrid. 

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the deal would be an 18 month loan for both players. Each club paying the wage load for their current player. Milan would have to pay the wages for Torres while Madrid would do the same for Cerci, however, there have been talks about Torres possibly restructuring his wage pay to make the deal easier but this is a mere rumor in the deal.

Also according to Di Marzio, Atletico Madrid are exploring options to find a team for Mexican striker Raul Jimenez which is important in making this deal happen for financial reasons. Regardless of what happens with Cerci, the Madrid party desires a reunion with their former number 9, "El Niño. "

It appears that Milan and Atletico Madrid have agreed to the deal as well as Fernando Torres. The "yes" from Cerci is all that needs to be made to finalize this deal but it appears that Cerci can either accept a loan deal to Milan or he will stay at the Spanish club, ruling out a potential move to Inter Milan.

The deal has not been finalized just yet so stay tuned on Twitter to the reliable sources for more news on this potential deal as well as others throughout the entire January transfer window. We will continue to update this blog post to bring you the latest news on the deal.

Source: Gianluca Di Marzio's Twitter account, @DiMarzio. gianlucadimarzio.com

UPDATE(as of 12/27/14)

According to Sky and Milan Channel, Alessio Cerci has agreed to the 18 month loan move to Milan. Cerci's "yes" was the final step in completing the Cerci-Torres swap deal between Milan and Atletico Madrid. Here are some of the details on the entire move, according to Milanello (@Milanello).

-Milan have announced that they have signed Torres in a permanent deal from Chelsea
-Cerci is expected to arrive in Dubai tomorrow (Dec. 28th). He could get his unofficial Milan debut against Real Madrid on Tuesday
-Cerci is expected to sign the contract with Milan later tonight or tomorrow. He's on his way to Madrid now (Sky)
-Cerci will most likely undergo the medical tests on January 2nd at Milanello and at the Madonnina clinic

Fernando Torres has made a permanent move to Milan, which will then see him loaned out for 18 months. The former £50mil man will return back to his boyhood club where he stamped his name into world football as an elite striker. He ends his Milan tenure with just 1 goal in 10 Serie A matches. On January 5th, 2015, Torres will make the permanent move to Milan before being loaned to Atletico Madrid.

Cerci is expected to finalize his move to Milan next week and could have his Milan Serie A debut against Sassuolo on the 6th of January.

More details should continue to follow regarding the disbursement of wages of each player and how they will be paid.

Q&A: Daniel Gutman (@muntarinho)

Daniel Gutman is a passionate fan of football, spanning across Europe. He follows and covers Serie A, Eredivisie and the Premier League. A Chief Milan correspondent for Italian Football Daily, columnist for @football_oranje, @StuySpectator and owner of inoffthecrossbar.com (@IOTCdotcom), Daniel does a ton of work discussing the beautiful game.  He was kind enough to answer some questions for me. Here were his responses.


Q: I enjoy hearing how people gravitate to a club they wind up loving. How did you begin supporting Milan?

A: "My dad was a Milan fan for a good chunk of his life and I suppose he got me into supporting the club when I was young. Although I suppose that PES 2006 (Pro Evolution Soccer) got me to love Milan rather than just calcio as a whole. That team was immense and I think I understood why I was so attracted to the club whilst playing exclusively as Milan during my time with PES. Gattuso, Pippo, Kaka, Costacurta. What a group of players that was. That was the point of no return for me, and the rest, as they say, is history."

Q: You cover an array of different football, from Dutch to Italian. Which league do you enjoy covering the most and why?

A: "Definitely Serie A, although the Eredivisie is a very close second. Eredivisie is infinitely more exciting and entertaining to watch, and every year there is an influx of young talent starring in the place of those who left. Serie A is a tad less interesting when it comes to the title race because, as much as it pains me to say it, Juventus are going to be top for God knows how many more years. Roma are also pretty much set in their position, as no club has shown a capability to challenge for 2nd. However, the race for 3rd is almost as exciting as the title race in a non-one-sided league. I suppose it could be linked to the Premiership race last season between Chelsea, City, and Liverpool, except there are 5-6 teams fighting for 3rd instead of the 3 title challengers in England."

Q: You are a consistent contributor to Italian Football Daily, among other sites. How does being a valuable member of the staff make watching football that much more enjoyable?

A: "It has given me a new way to watch calcio. Doing things like player ratings or match reviews has forced me to pay a lot more attention to individual players and the details of their performances. I had done this before starting with IFD but working with the site has definitely increased both my knowledge of calcio and has helped me watch matches in a more intelligent way."

Q: For Milan, what do you see Inzaghi and the men (and woman) upstairs doing this January to bolster the squad?

A: "Realistically? Not much. I suppose that Vangioni lad who's been linked to the club since the summer will join, but that raises the question of what to do with our fullbacks. There would be too many, and the possibilities I see are either Armero's loan gets terminated or a sale of De Sciglio. Beyond that, I can see us going for a player whose contract expires in 2015 because they'd be fairly cheap."

Q: Finally, you back Liverpool as well in the Premier League. Is this Mario Balotelli's final big club?

A: "Balotelli is an interesting case. I think that it is a bit too early to judge him on his time with Liverpool because nobody is really performing outstanding on the team. As for his behavior, I think he is at the end of the road. More nonsense like his Instagram post or some other regrettable action could well mean that no big club will want to sign him. He is very close to turning into a less technically gifted (Antonio) Cassano."

Again, I just want to thank Daniel for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for this fan blog post. If you don't follow Daniel on Twitter, please do so. He works hard to bring his views and thoughts to the forefront of football. Give him a follow, @muntarinho.

Q&A: Adamo Ritacco (@AdamoRitacco)

Adamo Ritacco is a panelist on Rossoneri TV on a consistent basis. He does a good amount of work on there, shedding light on all things surrounding the Rossoneri. As a passionate fan of the game, Adamo was kind enough to answer some questions for me. Here is my Q&A with the man himself.





Q. I ask everybody. Let's hear your story on how you became a Milanista. Why this club over others?

A: "I'll admit it, I nearly became a Romanista, mainly due to the fact that Francesco Totti has been my idol since I could remember, but something about the red and black of Milan shouted out to me. I couldn't resist. It wasn't even due to all of the legendary players they had at the time, more so, the connection I felt when I first saw them walk onto the pitch."

Q. It's very early in his managerial career, but what traits do you see in Pippo Inzaghi that you can compare to past/present managers?

A: "The thing I like about Inzaghi is that he thrives off the unity/confidence of the squad. something Milan have been missing in recent years. Not that Milan is a complete unit at the moment, but he's guiding them to the right path. The key will be to find consistency within the squad as a whole. I'm willing to give him time."

Q. In your eyes, who has been the top performer for Milan in 2014?

A: "In my opinion, it's got to be Menez for the amount of important goals he's scored for the club. There's a bunch of other mentions I could make but he stands out for me."

Q. You contribute on a weekly basis to Rossoneri TV and occasionally Italian Football Daily. How does your work impact football for you?

A: " I feel that it gives people something to look forward to, as well as being something they can rely on either as a source or for a sense of entertainment. I love working within football as it's always been my dream, and hopefully I can make it to another level."

Q. Finally, I want a quick prediction from you. Does Milan make Champions League this season? And is it contingent on what they do/don't do in the January mercato?

A: "It's definitely a possibility. There are plenty of teams fighting for the position, which makes it an even tougher objective to obtain. I can see them making Europe at the very least."


Once again, I just want to thank Adamo for taking the time to answer some questions for a string of fan blog posts we are doing for the AC Milan Brothers account. If you don't follow Adamo on Twitter, please do so, @AdamoRitacco.

Q&A: Gio, from Rossoneri TV

If you follow Milan and you enjoy being involved in the large Rossoneri community that has evolved on Twitter, then you definitely know what super-account, Rossoneri TV, is all about. Rossoneri TV has amassed a large following on Twitter with over 2,000 followers. Gio, the account manager, also takes to Youtube, which he uses to share match previews/reviews, fan reactions and breaking news surrounding the Rossoneri among other things.

Over the past several weeks, my brother and I have been frequent guests on his Youtube videos and he truly has found a unique way to bring the entire Milan universe together with his work.

Because he has welcomed the AC Milan Bros (@ACMilanBros) numerous times on his post match reviews, he decided to take some time to  answer a few questions for me.


Q: How did you become a Milan fan? What attracted you to this club as opposed to other clubs in Europe?

A: " I became a Milan fan at the age of 9. My Italian decent definitely played a part in me choosing Milan over other clubs. At the time, Inzaghi, Maldini, Gattuso and Nesta were the players that I enjoyed watching the most. Shortly after, I developed a love for the entire team. I consider myself very lucky to have witnessed some great club achievements such as the 2003 and 2007 Champions League title wins.

Q: As for Milan, if you had to pinpoint the three primary areas of concern for the current squad, what would they be and why?

A: "I think the three primary areas of concern for the current squad are reinforcing the defense, getting some technical midfielders, and getting rid of the waste. As far as reinforcing the defense, Milan took small steps this summer, however we are still lacking something. I always strongly believe that defenses make you win championships. Technical midfielders are another must in our current squad. I think we're pretty set as far as defensive midfielders go, however we need players that could make the defensive-attacking transition as smooth as possible. Finally, there is a list of players that are just taking up space at Milan and must leave. A mild cleanup was done throughout the summer, however the club must keep getting rid of the junk in the next transfer windows."

Q: How long do you think it will take for Milan to be back into the Champions League as a legitimate threat?

A: "I think right now the focus is getting back into the Champions League. We need to return being competitive in Serie A before we can call ourselves a legitimate threat in Europe. Without money being spent and without the appropriate players to challenge on all fronts, we will never be a legitimate threat again. When the club changes their current philosophy and demonstrates to the fans what they're truly capable of, then we can start talking.

Q: Long term, do you feel Pippo Inzaghi is the right man for the managerial job? And do you feel he is the one to lead us to a Champions League run?

A: "Pippo Inzaghi has the right qualities in my opinion to hold the manager job at Milan. For a club that currently has many problems and has to do without top players (unlike the top teams), I feel that he is doing a pretty good job. I believe fans are over-criticizing him at times when the results don't come. No one should expect any coach to perform miracles at Milan right now. I sincerely hope he stays at the club for a long time. It would be wild to see him win the Champions League as a manager after having witnessed him winning it as a player twice."

Q: Lastly, Milan take on Roma this Saturday, which is the last match of the year. Predictions? 

A: "Roma is a very strong team of course with qualities in every sector. They're currently battling with Juventus for the Serie A title and they will want to keep up the pace with them. It will be a tough match at the Olimpico on Saturday, but I don't write off our chances. Christmas could come early for us Milanisti. After a win against Napoli, our morale is high enough to capture a result against Roma."

If you do not follow Rossoneri TV on Twitter, please do so, @RossoneriTV. Also, be sure to subscribe to his Youtube channel as he covers everything one would need to know regarding Milan. Here is the link to his Youtube channel: (www.rossoneritv.com) Forza Milan!

Match Review: Milan v Udinese

Milan faced off against Udinese at the San Siro yesterday, a match with rather important implications. Milan, after drawing 1-1 to Inter the previous match, needed 3 points. Of course, that has been the case for weeks now as the Rossoneri have been prone to dropping points with below average draws against clubs they should handle. The result of this match ended in a 2-0 win for Milan, with both goals coming from Jeremy Menez. Here is how the match went.

Milan fielded a 4-3-3 formation that looked as follows: (Diego Lopez; Armero, Rami, Mexes, Bonera; Bonaventura, Essien, Van Ginkel; El Shaarawy, Menez, Honda) This formation included a few new faces like Van Ginkel and Armero, who both made their first starts for the club.

In the first half, Milan controlled possession and it wasn't really a contest. Milan created numerous chances to take the lead and run away with this match very early on but nothing seemed to fall their way. Still, the club continued to generate chances in hopes of getting that decisive goal which we thought came from Rami, who headed a ball into the net. The goal was not granted despite it appearing to fully cross the line. Later, it was shown to have been the correct call. The 1st half ended 0-0 despite the dominance by Milan.

The 2nd half wasn't nearly as dominant for Milan. Udinese began to control possession more and it seemed that Milan would really be in for another disappointing result. In the 54', Essien received a yellow card which would come into play later on. Despite this, Milan kept Antonio Di Natale in check as the defense was stellar and allowed Diego Lopez to break virtually no sweat in goal. The match would turn in Milan's favor in the 62' when Honda was pulled down by Domizzi in the box which resulted in a controversial penalty and red card decision. Honda appeared to have touched the ball with his hand prior to the foul but regardless, both calls stood. Menez put in the penalty easily, giving Milan the 1-0 lead.

In the 71', Essien would commit his second yellow card offense and it was now a 10-on-10 match for the remaining 20'+. But Milan would add a 2nd goal and one that seemingly sealed the win. Bonaventura fed Menez who made a great individual effort to put himself in scoring position for the goal.

Finally, Pippo used his 3rd and final sub, which brought on captain Riccardo Montolivo for Marco van Ginkel. It was Montolivo's first appearance in a professional match since the devastating injury ahead of the World Cup. He played a few minutes which was a nice finishing touch for Milan's 2-0 win over Udinese.

There were several solid performances for Milan, including Menez, Honda, van Ginkel, Essien and Mexes. However, the ones that stood out the most for me were: Menez, van Ginkel and Mexes. Menez of course scored the two goals, giving him 7 on the year already. van Ginkel started his 1st match and didn't disappoint. Confident on the ball and was at the center of many build ups. Lastly, Mexes turned in yet another solid outing. He seemed to be the leader in the back and as a unit, the back line was organized and prevented Lopez from having to get his gloves dirty. Again, many were solid and this list could include more than three top performers.

Milan have Genoa next Sunday, December 7th followed by Napoli and Roma to end the first half of the season.

Preview: Milan vs Inter

After the current international break for Euro Qualifying concludes, Milan will take on their most hated rival, Inter, in the newest chapter of the historic "Derby della Madonnina."

As it stands, Milan is ahead of Inter in the league table but only by a narrow margin. Milan is in 7th with 17 pts while Inter is in 9th with 16 pts. Of course, there is more than half a season of fixtures left but like Milan, Inter can't afford to drop points and fall deeper.





So how is each team playing and what is their current form? Below is a small review of both Milan and Inter as well a preview of the upcoming Derby della Madonnina.

Inter's last 5 matches w/ result:
Oct 19 v Napoli- 2-2 draw
Oct 26 v Cesean- 1-0 win
Oct 29 v Sampdoria- 1-0 win
Nov 1 v Parma- 2-0 loss
Nov 9 v Hellas Verona- 2-2 draw

Form: D/W/W/L/D


Milan's last 5 matches w/result:
Oct 19 v Hellas Verona- 3-1 win
Oct 26 v Fiorentina- 1-1 draw
Oct 29 v Cagliari- 1-1 draw
Nov 2 v Palermo- 2-0 loss
Nov 8 v Sampdoria- 2-2 draw

Form: W/D/D/L/D

Inter have 8 pts out of their last five matches while Milan have 6 pts. Each team could really use three points here as it would be big in moving back into one of the Europa League spots.

Preview:

With Nigel de Jong a question mark to play in the derby after sustaining a hamstring injury, I expect Inzaghi to strongly consider a different formation, perhaps one that is more offensive minded. He could maybe look at a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 with a centre attacking midfielder instead of a defensive midfielder, which is what they currently use with de Jong in the starting squad. Here is what the squad could look like with a 4-3-3 attack (again, STRICTLY an idea):

Lopez; De Sciglio, Rami, Zapata, Abate; Muntari, Bonaventura, Poli; El Shaarawy, Menez, Honda

The key players for Milan against Inter, in my opinion, are: Stephan El Shaarawy, Adil Rami and Andrea Poli. Obviously, Milan need Stephan to hit his stride and start scoring on a regular basis. His goal against Sampdoria on the counter attack was an encouraging sign for Milan fans. Adil Rami will need to be at his best for Milan if Alex cannot start. Inter have some good attacking players that will need to be contained and it will be up to Rami to anchor down the defense on set pieces, which has hurt Milan for quite some time. Finally, there is Andrea Poli who, if he starts, could be an x-factor for Inzaghi. Poli has always been a fiery player and one that shows the adored "grinta." If de Jong is unable to play, Poli will have to bring the energy and turn in a gritty performance in the midfield. Regardless of formation, I believe Poli will start and this could be the game he solidifies himself as a mainstay in Inzaghi's squad moving forward.

Milan need a good performance here, which is what they have been lacking since defeating Chievo and Hellas Verona in consecutive matches in October. A win would be huge for Milan especially in a game of this magnitude and with the next group of matches leading up to the winter break being pretty challenging.

Let's hope Nigel de Jong is fit and ready to go for Milan. He scored the decisive goal the last time these two clubs met back in May so his inclusion could mean the difference here. Forza Milan.

Milan in 4th after 9 weeks.

After each team in Serie A finished 9 weeks of matches, Milan is tied with Lazio on 16 pts but sits in 4th instead of 3rd due to goal differential.
Here are the standings of the top 6 teams in Serie A thus far:

1. Juventus- 22 pts
2. Roma- 22 pts
3. Lazio- 16 pts
4. Milan- 16 pts
5. Sampdoria- 16 pts
6. Udinese- 16 pts

As you can see, we are in for yet another tight race for European qualification. Juventus and Roma remain the favorites to battle it out for the Scudetto. However, the race for the 3rd and final Champions League spot as well as the two Europa League spots (4-5) could be a back and forth war until the end of the season.

Of course, Milan, under Inzaghi, are off to a better start compared to the last two seasons. We have seen quality play from the team's leading scorer, Keisuke Honda, and Ignazio Abate among other good performers. However, issues remain in the midfield for Milan as they still lack a creative presence. Stephan El Shaarawy still hasn't scored a goal yet this season but one positive is that he is fit and its only a matter of time until he gets into a scoring rhythm.

Additionally, Fernando Torres has only supplied one goal for Milan thus far, which arrived in his first start for Milan. Inzaghi has given Menez more time in the false 9 role so its still difficult to say what we can expect from Torres. Giacomo Bonaventura and Jeremy Menez have combined for 5 total goals which is a nice return. Still, unless Milan get production from El Shaarawy and Torres or perhaps Pazzini, staying in 4th place will be a challenge.

Despite being in 4th place, Milan have yet to get into a rhythm as a squad. Against some of the more easier opponents, they continue to earn just one point which could really hurt down the stretch. Sure, the point isn't bad but Milan have yet to play Roma, Inter, Sampdoria and Udinese. The positive to take from this all is that Inzaghi has yet to get the best of his squad. With the return of Montolivo and hopefully a more productive El Shaarawy, there is no doubt that this club could get back into a European tournament.

Top Performers Through 4 Matches

Milan has revamped the squad from last season and have added some key players to the squad as new manager Pippo Inzaghi looks to restore order to Milan and bring the Rossoneri back to the Champions League. Through 4 matches (Lazio, Parma, Juventus, Empoli), there have been some standout performers for the club that have surprised us all. Here are the top three players for Milan through four weeks of play in the 2014/15 Serie A season:

1. Jérémy Menez: Menez arrived from PSG this past summer for free. The move was questioned by many Milan supporters as issues surrounding the Frenchmen's work ethic and energy remained. Inzaghi was impressed with Menez in the friendly matches leading up to match day one so he decided to  start him in the false 9 position. In his first match v Lazio, he earned and scored a penalty goal to help seal a 3-1 victory for Inzaghi. Against Parma, he scored his second penalty and earned a brace by scoring a superb back heel goal in a 5-4 win. In four matches, Menez has 3 goals and has impressed everyone. Expect him to be a major contributor for Milan the rest of the way.

2. Keisuke Honda: Honda arrived for free last January from CSKA Moscow and was immediately expect to be a big contributor. People began to debate about whether he would be best suited as a right-midfielder/winger or a central midfielder behind the striker. In the second half of last season, Honda failed to live up to the immediate high expectations placed on him. It was unfair for a guy to be asked to be his normal self after changing to a completely different environment in Italy. This season, he has improved dramatically for Milan, playing out wide. Through four matches, he has scored 3 goals while assisting 1. Honda has looked far more comfortable this season, playing out wide while cutting in at times to score which he did v Empoli. Honda has given Inzaghi a quality talent on the right, a strong left footed free kick taker and perhaps a good scoring threat. This is the Honda we expected and he has shown why we coveted him so much.

3. Ignazio Abate: Abate has been with a Milan for several years now and has seemingly been the number one option at right-back. However, last season, he had a down year as did the entire club. Rumors began to swirl around about a possible departure from Milan but he has remained for at least one more season. His contract expires this June so his great run of form this season will surely appeal to many teams across Europe. Abate has always been a suspect crosser at a position that desperately cries for that ability. His ability to move forward and back to defend with sprinter pace has always been appreciated but his poor ability to swing in consistent crosses has left Milan fans questioning his stay. This year, he looks like a rejuvenated player for Inzaghi. He still has great speed and his work rate is just as good. Abate has improved dramatically as a crosser through four matches which is great for Menez, Torres and Pazzini who are the top three number 9 options. The 27 year old Italian international has arguably been the club's most improved player as he has finally learned to cross with consistency. In four matches, Abate has 4 assists (leads the team). Factor in his quickness, effort and ability to now provide good service on the right flank, Abate has been reborn. Milan will surely want to offer him a contract and keep him away from reported suitor, Juventus.

New "Kid" On The Block: The impact of Jérémy Ménez

The arrival of Jérémy Ménez to Milan for free this past June was, at the time, a questionable move for Galliani. Questions surrounding his work ethic and the impact he would provide swirled throughout the summer. But with 3 goals in 2 Serie A matches (both wins), Ménez is all ears, asking "and you were saying?"

Mnez arrived to Milan this past June for free in the hopes of lighting a fire under the rear of his career which seemingly started to decline a bit. PSG didn't have a place for him and when Pippo Inzaghi and management met with the player, Ménez instantly felt Milan was the right place to go to prove to the world that at age 27, he can still be a dynamic player. Of course, Milan had a few wingers already penciled in to be given ample time so Ménez would have to prove his worth both in training and in friendly matches leading up to the Serie A campaign. Ménez showcased himself at the summer tournament, International Champions Cup. This was his "tryout" for Pippo to see how much he could be relied on this season being as Milan lacked the amount of quality wingers needed for Inzaghi's 4-3-3 formation. Despite the club underachieving at the ICC as a whole, Ménez showed determination and energy which were two of the main concerns with him coming in. Still, most Milan fans wouldn't think much of just a few decent performances in friendly matches with little meaning. Milan is in a downfall and unless the club starts winning, individual performance don't really mean much. Postitive results are what Milan fans desire. Simple. We all wanted quality play in games with meaning and with the Rossoneri opening up the season with three tough opponents, one being the Juventus, this is the stage.

Match day one arrived and Milan opened up the season v Lazio. Ménez got the nod from Pippo to start up front in the false 9 position, a spot he typically doesn't play. Throughout the game, we saw the "grinta" and passion of not just Ménez but the entire squad. Pippo appeared to have instilled a different type of motivation into this squad that we haven't seen in some time. The club looked genuinely thrilled to be playing for Pippo and Milan. Ménez earned a penalty and scored it with ease, netting his first goal in his debut for the club. The result was a 3-1 win for Milan and Ménez, being asked to play out of position, performed extremely well and was Man of the Match in the eyes of most Milan supporters. At this time, Milan fans witnessed just a glimpse of what this player could provide.

On match day two v Parma, Ménez again played as a false 9 due to Torres not being active for the match. Again, it was the Frenchman providing the spark in the attack and even at times dropping into the midfield to retrieve passes. He was doing it all for Milan and the confidence Pippo instilled into Ménez paid dividends. He earned another penalty and punched it in but it was his second goal that caught the attention of not just Pippo, Milan and Serie A but also Europe. Ménez took advantage of a
poor back pass by the Parma defender to Mirante and he took a delicate touch brilliance to beat the keeper before finishing off the play with a nifty, out of nowhere back heel goal that had the manager erupting on the sideline. Milan hung on to beat Parma 5-4, earning 6 points in two matches.

Through two Serie A matches with Milan, Jérémy Ménez has netted 3 goals from the false 9 position. Yes, you read that correctly but in case you don't believe me, rub your eyes and read again. 3 goals in 2 games and he has instantly earned the confidence of Pippo. His motivation to score, the drive he shows up and down the pitch and his immediate love for the crest has ignited the Milan fans already. With a huge contest this weekend v Juventus, Ménez will surely get the nod to start regardless of whether or not both El Shaarawy and Fernando Torres are fit. Currently, Ménez is clicking on all cylinders and if this is what he will bring to Milan week in and week out, he will no doubt be the best signing Milan had of the summer.

"El Niño" Rossoneri-bound?

If you haven't heard, Milan have sold their best player in Mario Balotelli earlier this week to Liverpool as the Italian signed a contract with the Anfield tenant. Balotelli made a €20M move (£16M) and in the blink of an eye, Milan were faced with the tough challenge of replacing a player who scored the most goals and had the most assists last year for a poor side that finished 8th in the Serie A league table. With the departure of Mario, who will be the main man up top for Inzaghi?

Several names have been mentioned by multiple reports throughout the week including Roma's Mattia Destro, Liverpool's Fabio Borini and the now frontrunner to fill the vacant centre-forward role, Chelsea's Fernando Torres. After Destro's asking price exceeded what Milan wanted to dish out, he was ruled out. Borini, although a player Milan liked, wasn't considered a player the club was convinced with as he has been disappointing with both Liverpool and Sunderland who he played for last season on loan. So, Fernando Torres is the favorite to be Milan's number 9, also the number he wore for Liverpool when he was in the best form of his career. Let's discuss Milan's potential new signing.

Fernando Torres ( now 30 years old) has been nothing short of a disappointment since arriving to Chelsea in January 2011 for a record £50M fee from Liverpool. At the time of the move, "El Niño was 26 and despite the major leg injury he suffered around the time of the World Cup 2010, he was still one of the world's best at his position. There is no need to go into detail how bad he has been at Chelsea. All you need to know is that he has scored a grand total of 20 league goals in 110 matches. That is about 1 goal every 5.5 matches which isn't exactly impressive when you factor in his past scoring rate. What is perhaps more shocking is that he is still with Chelsea, particularly because they are a rich club who don't hesitate to go out and spend to reinforce the squad. Now that Demba Ba has been sold to Besiktas, Drogba has returned from Galatasaray and the big arrival of Diego Costa as the main hit man, Torres has finally been shown the door as he is no longer an option for Mourinho.

Of course, Milan need a striker and Chelsea want to allow one to leave. Seems like a match made in heaven for Berlusconi and Galliani right? Fernando Torres has become Galliani's top target for the number 9 role and talks have ignited between Chelsea and Milan officials as they both look to come to an agreement for the Spaniard to make a move to San Siro before the summer transfer window shuts. Let's just say Milanisti aren't too fond of this news and based on the current form and wages of the player, who would be?

Torres has reportedly agreed to make a move to Milan but only on a permanent basis, not a loan. Also, his extraordinarily high wage pay has put a snag in a deal to Milan as well as the contract length demands by the player. Torres currently earns about €6M/yr but it appears he could be set to take a pay cut of around 50% to join Milan if Chelsea agree to pay the severance package to cover the wages he is reducing. Torres' agent, Chelsea and Milan officials are to meet tomorrow to negotiate and fine tune the deal. According to Sky, Milan have offered Fernando Torres a 3 year contract worth €3.5M + bonuses per year.

Aside from the business view of the whole negotiation, Milanisti have taken to social media, Twitter in particular, to express their dissatisfaction with Torres as the replacement. After selling the club's best player for less than par value for a player of Mario's age and ability, fans feel that Torres isn't the man to help Milan win matches. Of course, we feel the same. Torres is a player we respect simply because he gives it his all on the pitch and he will take the field with no issues about work rate. However, most feel that he has little to give a club and he is far past his Liverpool days when he was one of the world's most prolific scoring threats. At the moment, we are disappointed in the reality that Torres could be leading the attack come opening match day v Lazio but Milan fans are veterans when it comes to questionable moves. However, once (or if) he becomes an official player of Milan, I will welcome him to the squad with optimism and open arms which is what all Milanisti should do as well. Remember, club first over player. Put your disgust aside and wish for the success and positive results of the club.

The Italian transfer window shuts on September 1st, 2014 so stay tuned to Twitter in the coming days as Milan could find a deal with Chelsea that would bring Fernando Torres to the Rossoneri. Forza Milan.

UPDATED: (as of 08/29/14)

According to Sky Sports, Milan have reached an agreement with both Chelsea and Fernando Torres. Torres reportedly won't receive any severance package. The length of Torres' contract with Milan will be for 2 years with a reported annual pay of €3.5M. Torres is believed to be arriving to Milan on a free transfer but it has not been confirmed so stay tuned to the usual reliable sources on Twitter (Di Marzio, Amoyal, Milanello etc)

Milan Channel are also reporting that Torres could undergo the medical tests tomorrow in Milano. The player should arrive tomorrow morning in Milano to take the medicals, the first at La Madonnina clinic and the second at the Milanello training ground, via @Milanello.

Is There Time To Save The Summer?

Late last summer, Milan made some major moves at the end of August, adding and subtracting from the squad. Milan sold Kevin Prince Boateng to Schalke but of course, Kaká returned back to Milan for what would be his final season with the Rossoneri. But with Milan supporters pleading for a revamped squad that can contend, can Galliani and the Berlusconi's save this disappointing summer transfer window?

Earlier this week, Milan were busy trying to regain the respect from the Milan faithful as they made some key subtractions with a few additions as well. Kevin Constant was sold to Trabzonspor for a fee north of €2mil and to fill the void, Pablo Armero has been brought in from Udinese on a season loan. Perhaps the most important move was the deal to send Robinho on loan for the season to Santos which could help get the ball rolling for Milan to address some areas of need this summer. Milan are also in heavy talks to bring in Real Madrid keeper Diego Lopez. Lopez is a player Milan surely need as Abbiati is nearing the end of his career and Agazzi already showing to be a disappointment in just a few friendly matches. Diego Lopez is a very good goalkeeper who would be welcomed with open arms unless of course his wage demands exceed what Milan is willing to pay.

The three areas Milan need to address before their first league match v Lazio on August 31st are the midfield, goalkeeping and of course, right wing. Milan appear to be getting close to securing Lopez but what about the midfield and right wing? Let's take a look.

Starting with the midfield, its quite clear that an upgrade is needed. The projected 3 midfielders to start for Inzaghi are Poli, de Jong and Saponara. Of course, Cristante and Muntari are options with Montolivo not expected to return until the winter months. In all honesty, I doubt this area gets addressed. Inzaghi will have to get creative and understand how his former Primavera players fit into the squad.

As for the right wing, Milan remain a suitor for Alessio Cerci with Atletico Madrid also courting him. With Robinho out, the time is now to pursue Cerci as he is the prototypical option to play right wing in Inzaghi's 4-3-3 formation. However, Niang has been showing signs of quality in the past few weeks particularly in the match v Chivas earlier this week where he scored the first Milan goal of a 3-0 win for the Rossoneri. The Frenchman is still a young 19 years of age and his better years are certainly ahead of him but perhaps this year isn't the year to become a starter for Milan. Honda is also an option outside although most would say he is playing out of position. Milan could also look to bring back Adel Taarabt who played well under Seedorf last season when he made the loan move to Milano.

Here is the bottom line: Cerci needs to be acquired. He is left footed and has tremendous pace which is just one of his many skills. Robinho is out on loan, making the move more likely. But will Milan dish out the €18-20mil for Cerci? Will they look to match the asking price for Taarabt? Or will they find the solutions from within the current squad? The final month of the transfer window could either be disappointing or enjoyable. Stay tuned. Forza Milan.

Grazie di tutto, Kaká.

When we heard the news that Kaká was coming back to Milan, we couldn't believe that one of our all-time favorite players was returning home where he should be, in the red and black jersey. The moment he stepped onto the pitch, flashbacks filled our heads, flashbacks from when he patrolled the midfield with such poise and grace. Although it wasn't the greatest of seasons for Milan this year (Milanisti would agree), there were bright spots. We got to see a legend grace the pitch one more time. Kaká scored his 100th goal in his Milan career on January 7th, 2014 vs Atalanta. He would later on finish the match with a brace.

  As we watched the matches on TV at home or with other fellow Milanisti at Legends (Bar in New York City), we couldn't help but notice exactly how many Kaká #22 jerseys there were. It was truly amazing. That showed the love and respect that we as Milan fans have for Kaká.

   I'm sure we have all heard by now that Kaká has agreed to a move to Orlando City SC and will be loaned out to São Paulo FC in Brazil, where it all started. Upon his arrival in Orlando, Florida, the airport was flooded with fans in support of Kaká. It was absolutely astounding to see how much love and support he has, especially in the United States where soccer is not nearly as popular as it is abroad.

We truly are happy for Kaká to go back to Brazil where his soccer career began so that São Paulo fans can get one more chance to see him and his brilliance. We are also very excited for the Orlando City fans because they can see what a great player and class act Kaká truly is.

In closing, Kaká is starting a new chapter in his career with Orlando City after his loan spell with São Paulo comes to an end. São Paulo supporters get to enjoy Kaká and say "our boy is returning home." Orlando City fans see Kaká as "We get to see a legend play in the United States." However, for the Milanisti, we see Kaká as the model soccer player that kids look up to. Not only on the pitch, but off. He will always be remembered in our hearts as the man who wore the number #22 on his back and more importantly, the Milan crest on the front.

Good luck Kaká on the rest of your career. We love you...


Grazie di tutto, Kaká.

Alex and Menez already in. Is Rami next?

Earlier this month, Brazilian international and former PSG defender Alex joined Milan on a free transfer after his contract expired with the Parisian club. The 31 year old arrives to Milan looking to add to his trophy case after winning the Ligue 1 title the past few seasons. The move is beginning to grow on us as Alex has been a solid contributor to Chelsea and most recently PSG. Alex gives Milan a formidable central defender who was given the nickname "The Tank." A big-bodied, physical defender like Alex who will hopefully partner up alongside Adil Rami next season in Inzaghi's starting squad, could be a key addition to an otherwise lackluster defensive unit for Milan.

In addition to Alex joining, his former teammate has decided to make the move with him. The French winger Menez has also joined Milan on a free transfer from PSG. The 27 year old arrives to Milan where he hopes to somewhat revive his career, similar to what Adel Taarabt did when he arrived at the San Siro on loan last Janaury. Jeremy Menez, winger, joins Milan as perhaps a reinforcement in the event Taarabt does not return. Taarabt and Milan are currently negotiating a permanent move for the Moroccan. However, the fee appears to be too much for Galliani's liking so the move is something that should be monitored throughout the next month. Menez has ability but sometimes he appears lazy and not motivated. Sounds familiar to Taarabt right? With free transfers, the risk in taking in such players as Menez is minimal with the exception of the player's wages under the contract agreement.Alex isn't the player I'm worried about, its Menez but I was wrong about Taarabt so hopefully I'm wrong here too about Menez.

With Galliani getting an early start on the rebuilding process for next season after bringing in Alex and Menez, is Rami next? Rami had a tremendous loan spell with Milan after joining in January from Valencia. His buyout option is €7mil and if Galliani wants to retain Rami, that would have to be matched unless of course Galliani doesn't want to come across with that money and decides to renegotiate the terms of the move. According to several sources, Galliani appears to be sitting around €3.5-4mil for Rami which would be an absolute steal for Milan given the scarcity of quality central defenders available on the market. Keep in mind, David Luiz moved to PSG with a record breaking fee of around €48mil so securing Rami for about 1/12th of that fee would be huge for Milan given their unwillingness to spend. Stay tuned.

Seedorf out, Inzaghi in

Clarence Seedorf has been relieved of his managerial duties just 5 months into his coaching career as Milan replace one former player with another, Pippo Inzaghi. Inzaghi was named as the new Milan manager this week when it was made official by the club. Inzaghi's contract will be a two year deal with an annual salary of €700.000. 

The news angered many Milan fans as the ongoing fight to keep Seedorf on for next season came up short. Milan will continue to pay Seedorf the remainder of his wages. But of course, Seedorf wasn't fired with class by Milan, according to some reports.

News came out earlier this week that Galliani and the Berlusconi's fired Seedorf via e-mail and failed to provide a "thank you" for Clarence's services.  Additionally, it was also reported that Seedorf was dismissed from the club's Hall of Fame, according to the official web page of the club.

First, if the news about Seedorf being fired from an e-mail is confirmed, Milan will have lost a ton of respect from fans. Second, a simple "thank you" would have sufficed. The class act retired from a game he loved with all his heart just to manage a club free falling. Third, to remove Seedorf from anything Milan-related speaks volumes about how disrespectful management truly is. But should we be surprised by the way they treated Seedorf, a legend of the club? They did the same to Ambrosini when he departed from Milan for Fiorentina as well as Maldini. 

Now that the Seedorf saga has officially ended, it's time to welcome in another novice manager (at least at the first team level) in Filippo Inzaghi. Inzaghi managed the Primavera side last year and has always been a candidate to manage Milan. However, it comes at time where the club is not in a major European tournament and when the club is no longer a dangerous side. Inzaghi comes into Milan in similar fashion to how Seedorf took over and one thing is certain, it won't be easy. 

Inzaghi will surely shake up the squad and the tactics for next season. Some players will be added and some will be sold in order to suit Pippo's game plan. With Alex and Menez already confirmed, it appears Inzaghi will be asked to field a squad that has a minimal amount of money pumped into it. Both Alex and Menez arrived on free transfers as their contracts expired with PSG. Rami and Taarabt's loan deals are still being negotiated by Milan as they look to retain them for....wait a minute....cheap. 

One manager out and another in. We welcome Super Pippo with open arms and we hope he can bring Milan back to being a major European side. Forza Milan. 

Milan: A Club Being Destroyed By Management

According to several reports this past week, Milan Primavera manager Fillipo Inzaghi is set to take over the managerial role for Milan, replacing Clarence Seedorf.  It has not been confirmed but it appears to be made official once Seedorf's severance package can be agreed upon.

This move is negative in the eyes of  many Milan fans as they want Seedorf to be given a fair trial. A legend of the club and one who hung up his boots to serve Milan when they were in turmoil this past January deserves a lot better. Because Seedorf doesn't obey every direction sent from upper management, he is being pointed to the door. They want a puppet but Clarence shouldn't be treated like one. What hurts is that it forces us to root against Pippo becoming a manager. We adore Inzaghi and appreciate what he has given to Milan. However, we don't want him to take over the managerial role at Milan because a club legend like Seedorf simply deserves a fair chance to prove himself.

Many have expressed their concern for a lack of direction and have become irritated with the treatment of club legends like Maldini, Ambrosini and now Seedorf. As a result, a social media revolt has erupted and many have made it clear that they will not attend the upcoming ICC matches this summer as well as refraining from purchasing club merchandise for next season.

As owners of the Milan Brothers Twitter and Instagram accounts, we have decided to not attend the International Champions Cup match this summer at Citi Field between Milan and Olympiacos. In addition, we will not purchase any more kits if Mario Balotelli, Mattia De Sciglio or Stephan El Shaarawy are sold this summer. This is a legitimate stance against management and what they are doing to a club that once dominated the soccer world. If you agree with us and will support our stance against the current direction of the club, please spread the word.


Thank you for your continuous support of our account.

Who is Hachim Mastour and is he ready for first-team football?

Hachim Mastour Player Profile:
Date of Birth: June 15, 1998 (15 years old)
Place of Birth: Reggio Emilia, Italy
Nationality: Italy
Height: 175cm
Weight: 63kg
Position(s): FWD, CAM
Squad Number: 98

Hachim Mastour is an Italian-Moroccan player, who was called up to the first team May 13, 2014   but did not get into Milan's final match of the season v Sassuolo despite speculation that he would become the youngest player ever to play for Milan at age 15, surpassing the great Paolo Maldini who debuted at age 16.

Milan acquired Mastour back in the summer of 2012 at the age of 14 for €500,000. According to Goal.com, Inter, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Juventus and Manchester City were among the clubs Milan had to battle to obtain the wonder kid prodigy. Shockingly, Milan beat out many elite clubs to get Mastour in their system which is exciting for Milan fans everywhere.

Less than two years since arriving to Milan, Mastour was called up to the first team in a move that shocked everyone as he is still a very raw talent. His skill and ability is off the charts and his potential is sky high but is Hachim Mastour ready to play first tier, top flight football in Italy for Milan? Let's break it down.

Mastour, aged 15, can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, two positions Milan have a handful of. Mastour would have to battle El Shaarawy, Kaka, Honda, Robinho, Saponara, Cristante and Taarabt, if he stays, in order to get minutes for Milan. Being as he is an extremely raw talent who hasn't played more than two matches with Inzaghi's Primavera side (U-20), its hard to imagine he would make an immediate impact for Milan regardless of who manages the club next season. Sure, we have all seen the Youtube clips of his brilliance with the ball at his feet, his pitch awareness to attack and juggling drills with Neymar. However, he is making a drastic leap from Allievi Nazionali (U-16) to top-flight European football and at a time where Milan is no longer the powerhouse side they once were.

The bottom line is that while Hachim Mastour has incredible ability, will sell tickets and can generate excitement for Milan fans, he should not be playing for the first team next season. Mastour needs at least one, maybe two full seasons with the Primavera before being called up. This is El Shaarawy, Cristante and Saponara's time. Mastour will get his chance with Milan sooner rather than later but let's not push this kid too soon. He is very important to the future of Milan and he shouldn't be rushed. Hachim Mastour, we are very excited to have you at Milan and we look forward to having you be a huge star for the Rossoneri for years to come. Forza Hachi!


References:
Goal.com

Io Sto Con Seedorf

"Io Sto Con Seedorf" has been the battle cry for many Milan fans across Twitter thanks in large part to AC Milan Club NY/NJ (@ACMilanNYC) , who have not been afraid to speak out about how Seedorf has been treated by Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani. Seedorf, a former Milan legend, replaced Massimiliano Allegri this past January as manager of Milan. Finally, the Milan fans were granted their wish. A new manager with a fresh start and mind. What we didn't wish for would come just a few months after he took over.

Clarence Seedorf's job is in question when, if you ask 99% of Milanisti,  it shouldn't be given the little time he has spent with the club. Clarence, once favorited by Silvio and company, has been betrayed by the club he has given so much to, particularly when he announced his retirement from his playing career to aid a Milan team in need. Seedorf has managed just over 20 matches in all competitions for Milan and out of those matches, he has a win percentage around .500. For a first time manager and one who hasn't even been a manager for 6 months, I'd say that's impressive. 10 wins, 2 draws, 6 losses in Serie A apparently isn't good enough for the first time manager of a club who has invested virtually no money into a renovation of the squad.

We all know and are aware of the treatment our beloved manager is receiving from management. Many of us have documented our support for Clarence as the right man moving forward but as loyal fans, we can only do so much. We will continue to protest against this harsh treatment and we will continue to rally around Seedorf because he deserves a fair chance to be a success with the team he loves deeply. This is a call to action. A call to all Milan fans and calcio supporters, who feel this lack of respect to a world class gentleman is wrong, to be heard. Our club can't and won't return to European elite status with a management who has no direction for the club. This isn't acceptable and you can count on us being heard.

     "IO STO CON SEEDORF"

A.C. Mi-loan: How Rami and Taarabt have impacted Milan

Loans, loans, loans. If Milan had a club dictionary, the word would be in bold. Galliani is known, as of late, for being a "picker." The players other clubs don't want or need become Galliani's treasure. A club not sitting on a pile of cash needs these moves to work simply because the big time talents demand money Milan simply don't have (or do they?)

Two players that have made the most of their loan moves to Milan are Adil Rami and Adel Taarabt. Both players have been practically full-time starters for Seedorf since their arrival this past winter. But why have they had success? Here's why.

Let's start with Adil Rami. The 28 year old French international arrived on loan from Valencia after having a fallout with the club. The center back has been a rock for Milan ever since he arrived, having been a dominant defender while scoring a few key goals as well. A posing presence and one who is good in the air on set-pieces,  Rami has easily been the best center back on the squad. Milan's defensive issues have been well documented for months but he has been a positive. Seedorf will continue to pencil in Rami as a starter for the remainder of the season.

As for Taarabt, where do I begin. Like many of the Milan supporters, I had my doubts about Taarabt's arrival, having heard many negative comments about his attitude, work ethic and ability to be a team player. However, he has silenced the critics by providing flare that has been lacking from Milan especially since El Shaarawy has been sidelined for months. Having played mostly as a left-midfielder in a 4-2-3-1 formation, the 24 year old Moroccan has shown skill, technique and drive. He has also scored 3 goals for Milan, which has been another positive. He will continue to get the nod from Seedorf as his confidence is high.

But of course, can Milan retain Rami, Taarabt or both permanently when their loan moves expire this June? Rami's buy-back option is €7mil but Milan want to secure his services for €4mil. Taarabt's agent, according to a Goal.com article , has stated that the player will most likely seal a permanent move to Milan for around €4mil. Barring any snags in the negotiations, expect Galliani to keep Taarabt here for the mentioned fee. As for Rami, its a bit more complicated. The player has stated his intent to stay at Milan but agreeing on a fee to keep him here could get tricky. His performance has many clubs watching, one reportedly being Manchester United, who will lose Vidic this summer to Inter.

Rami and Taarabt have expressed their desire to stay at Milan and the Rossoneri want them back. As we draw closer to the end of the season, we should learn more about each player's place at Milan.

Milan linked to Coentrão. Could De Sciglio be headed to Real Madrid?

Fábio Coentrão, the Portuguese international and current Real Madrid defender, has been linked to Milan for several months now. The 26 year-old doesn't appear to be unsettled with his current situation. However, in the modern era of football, players come and go for reasons sometimes undefined.

Coentrão is a player Milan could surely use as Abate appears to be headed to another club this summer with Lazio interested in the Italian international. Milan has very few options that can be deployed as a left or right-back. Coentrão provides pace, attacking ability on counters and a good amount of experience at one of the world's most successful clubs. A serviceable option for Seedorf to use in multiple formations, Coentrão is the type of player Milan needs going forward to reconstruct a back-line that, in the past, has been full of world-class players. Coentrão would likely have a price tag of around €15-20 million, which leads into the next part of this write-up: Mattia De Sciglio

21 year-old Milan RB/LB Mattia De Sciglio is one of, if not, the best young defender at his position

in Europe. His talent, ability and rise through the Milan youth academy have made him a fan-favorite and a player Milan fans would love to see retire at the club. De Sciglio is expected to be in Prandelli's starting Italian squad this summer for the World Cup and he has certainly earned the spot. However, his performance has caught the attention of Europe as Real Madrid are reportedly set to make a large offer for him this summer.

Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid are heavily interested in acquiring De Sciglio as they are reportedly ready to bid around €20mil for his services. Of course, Milan would love to keep De Sciglio as they see him as the starting LB/RB for years to come. However, money talks and if Galliani receives a lucrative offer for De Sciglio this summer, he could be departing.

Milan like Coentrão and Madrid like De Sciglio. Could a swap +cash deal be in the pipeline? Don't rule out anything. Milan typically don't sell a player that hasn't reached peak value or full potential. (Think El Shaarawy last summer). However, De Sciglio has performed like a veteran in his prime and his value may be at its highest level. In addition, Seedorf has started looking for talent he wants to bring in this summer and Davide Santon remains a potential target so perhaps management has already thought about this scenario?

Do I want Milan to sell De Sciglio? Of course not. Is it out of the question to say he could be sold this summer? No. Read with caution.....and a tissue.

Recap: Milan v Chievo

On Saturday, Milan defeated Chievo Verona 3-0 at the San Siro. It was a special day and not just for the result. Kaka played in his 300th career match for Milan, wearing the captain's armband in the process. Let's just say it was special day for a special Milan player.

Seedorf fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation that looked like this: Abbiati; Emanuelson, Zaccardo, Rami, Bonera; De Jong, Muntari; Taarabt, Kaka, Honda; Balotelli

The whistle blew and Milan came out of the gate playing an up-tempo style of calcio, bringing it to Chievo. It didn't take long for the Rossoneri to strike as Mario Balotelli scored a one-time goal in the 4th minute thanks to a beautiful ball played in by Rami. 13 goals in 23 games. Bad season? Hmmmm.  

Milan seemed to continue to push the intensity as they doubled their lead inside the 30th minute mark. Honda swung in a ball to Kaka in the box. The Brazilian settled it with his chest calmly and put it by Agazzi for the goal. A special moment for Kaka, who embraced the San Siro's appreciation. Milan were clicking on all cylinders. Abbiati and the defense weren't truly tested through 45 minutes as Milan went into the locker room with a nice 2-0 lead.

The second half began and Milan maintained control of the flow of the match. Chievo really didn't threaten aside from a few spurts of pressure. In the 54th minute, it was Kaka, who scored to earn himself the brace in front of the home crowd. It was one of those days for Kaka and Milan as they cruised to a 3-0 victory.

For Milan, Kaka stole the show, earning MOTM honors for his double. Balotelli also played a very good match, almost adding to his stat sheet with an assist but Honda spoiled a sitter in front of the net. Honda has received some criticism for his disappointing play on the right side but v Chievo, he didn't disappoint. The Japanese playmaker set up Kaka's first goal, was heavily involved in build-up plays, trekked back to defend and appeared to gain confidence as the match progressed.

Back-to-back clean sheet wins for Milan. Yes, you read that correctly. You didn't just see a wild Mesbah appear. A much needed 6 pts for Seedorf and Milan appear to be back on track. The next three opponents include Genoa, Catania and Livorno. I smell 9 pts. Forza Milan.

Stephan El Shaarawy: What His Return Means To Milan

Where art thou "Il Faraone?" The 21 year old Italian forward has been sidelined for pretty much the entire season with multiple injuries. El Shaarawy has appeared in only 7 total matches in all competitions for Milan this year after a very good campaign last year, carrying the club the first half of the season before his performance took a hit. After netting 19 goals in all competitions last season, El Shaarawy has scored just one goal this season, which came against PSV back in late August. Injuries have plagued him this season but his return to the club has already begun as he has started training. Seedorf should have him deployed into the squad by mid April, but how will he be used? What can he provide? Let's take a look at how he fits into the current squad.

Allegri, and now Seedorf, have used the 4-2-3-1 formation this season as oppose to the traditional 4-3-3 and 4-3-1-2 formations of past Milan sides. El Shaarawy is typically used as a left winger in a more attack-based formation in the 4-3-3 but in a 4-2-3-1, he is an attacking midfielder on the left side. He loves to cross inside onto his strong foot and test the keeper. An exceptional dribbler with good pace down the left flank to trek back defensively as well. This is where he is at his best.

Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to be back mid-April when Milan take on Catania April 13th or Torino on the 19th. I expect Seedorf to play him as a LAM or a LW depending on how they line up. How many minutes he gets is a question mark. Taarabt, Kaka and Honda have been the three attacking midfielders behind Balotelli or Pazzini as of late. Fitness has been an issue. With El Shaarawy returning, Seedorf should look to give Kaka a breather as a CAM and shift Honda to the position as suggested by many. Stephan's return provides depth and versatility for the attacking midfield rotation. The issue could be finding minutes for Saponara and Cristante however.

Here are just a few of the possible attacking midfield formations that could be used:

El Shaarawy- Kaka- Honda
El Shaarawy- Honda- Taarabt
El Shaarawy-Kaka- Poli
El Shaarawy- Honda- Poli

Sure, his return gives Milan another attacking threat who can put the ball in the net. However, it also gives Seedorf more depth because it allows players to shift to the bench and come on late in matches to provide a fresh spark.

From an attacking standpoint, El Shaarawy will be a vital component. His knack for scoring is desperately needed, especially for a side who has created many scoring chances but lacked the clinical finishing technique needed to win matches against Juventus and Atletico Madrid in the first leg. El Shaarawy's return to the side will be a breath of fresh air for Milan fans everywhere as he is not only a young star, but also a fan favorite and one who has expressed his love and devotion to the Rossoneri when he publicly stated his desire to stay at the club long-term. We can't wait to have you back Stephan!

Milan's Mock Summer Transfer Wish List

With the Serie A summer transfer window set to open for business this July, Milan should look (more like BETTER look) to add to the squad and at the same time, downsize from the current roster. Milan fans have been discussing possible summer moves prior to the hiring of new manager Clarence Seedorf and the talk continues as we approach the final months of what has been a miserable campaign for the Rossoneri.

At the moment, nobody truly knows what will happen to the club, both financially and management wise. There has been speculation these past few weeks about whether team owner Silvio Berlusconi will sell a stake of the club or perhaps the whole cake. Bloomberg Radio reported that Silvio intends to sell the club but his Milan-based company, Fininvest, has put those rumors to bed. Money is an issue for the club. Free transfers and low-cost value moves won't get this club back atop Europe. Whatever the case may be, Milan needs to find sufficient funds for Galliani and Seedorf to rebuild this once dominant side and the summer mercato is a great place to start.

Several names have been linked to Milan since January. However, many players have been funneled out through the rumor mill. Here is a list of possible Milan targets, some previously linked and others recommended from us:

Paris Saint-German center back, Alex, age 31
Botafogo center back Doria, age 19
Newcastle United full-back Davide Santon, age 23
Redbull Salzburg center back Martin Hinteregger, age 21
Everton (on loan from Barcelona) right-winger Gerard Deulofeu, age 20
Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin, age 21
Ajax attacking midfielder Siem de Jong, age 25
Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, age 25
Torino FC right-winger Alessio Cerci, age 26
Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, age 27
Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet, age 17
Paris Saint-Germain Ezequiel Lavezzi, age 28
Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao, age 26

Again, this is a list of players rumored to have been linked to Milan as well as few players we feel should be looked at if certain players are sold, which is probably where Milan need to start. Hopefully, young talents including, but not limited to,  Stephan El Shaarawy, Mario Balotelli, Mattia De Sciglio and Bryan Cristante stay on board as they can be cornerstone players to build around for the present and future.

A Look At Milan And Money

Money talks...loudly. It's powerful and it can buy many things. It's something Milan need to spend this summer. No more games. This is a serious problem.

It feels as if we've been talking about this topic for years. As the team declined since the sales of both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva, many Milan fans feel the club hasn't reinvested from the return. As a business major, you learn a lot about finance and economics among other things. For the sake of staying on topic, I'll select the terms "investment" and "ROI" which means return on investment. Stay with me on this.

In July of 2012, Milan sold both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to the wealthy French club, Paris Saint-Germain for €20 mil and €42 mil respectively. Simple addition here. €62mil. That can really help a team rebuild for the present and future. Prior to selling both of these stars, Milan finished the season second in the league behind Scudetto champion Juventus. The top 6 in the Serie A table :

1. Juventus- 84 pts
2. Milan- 80 pts
3. Udinese- 64 pts
4. Lazio- 62 pts
5. Napoli- 61 pts
6. Inter- 58 pts.......Yes, Milan were 19 pts better than Napoli and 22 better than Inter.

It's quite clear this team didn't slip after winning the Scudetto the year before. Ibrahimovic led Italy in scoring with 28 goals to his name and Silva was and still is, the world's best central defender. The club was in a poor financial state, which is a large reason why both players were sold. Milan needed to cut the deficit and these players would retrieve the largest return to help them do that. However, Milan still had some core players in tact with some young talent on the come up, which was a positive.

Milan did lose several key, yet aging players from the decade in Inzaghi, Nesta, Gattuso, Zambrotta, Van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf the same summer. We all knew the day would come when our older players would set off into the sunset but this actually stamped the end of an era. The players Milan added after losing several key performers that summer included (w/ fee):

Bakaye Traore- free                             Cristian Zapata- loan

Riccardo Montolivo- free                    Giampaolo Pazzini- €7mil+ Antonio Cassano
Gabriel- €500,000                              M'Baye Niang- undisclosed
Francesco Acerbi- €4mil                    Bojan Krkic- loan
Kevin Constant- loan                          Nigel De Jong- €5mil

As you can see, this isn't nearly enough to replace two of the world's elite players. Montolivo, De Jong, Zapata and Pazzini have been solid players for Milan. However, Niang, Constant, Bojan and Acerbi contributed little.

Last January, Milan sold Alexandre Pato to Brazilian side Corinthians for a fee around €15mil. Milan then acquired Mario Balotelli from Manchester City for around €22mil. Even after acquiring a premier talent like Balotelli, Milan, mathematically speaking, still had nearly €35mil left to spend on adding players but it has never occurred.

A team in Italy that did reinvest from selling off a big time talent was Napoli when they sold Edinson Cavani to PSG for around €60mil last summer. Napoli spent no time bolstering their squad as they added Dries Mertens, Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon, Pepe Reina and Raul Albiol. Their ROI has resulted in them currently holding a Champions League spot while Milan sit in 10th. Imagine the position Napoli would be in if they didn't reinvest? Hmmm....

As Milan fans, we all understand the club is undergoing construction and transition is the current phase. However, Galliani and Berlusconi really need to give Clarence Seedorf the funds to go out and field a winning side again. This summer is one of the more significant windows in club history. Free transfers, short-term loans and minor additions won't bring Milan out of the depths of Italy. We saw first-hand what Napoli has done with their funds from a summer sale. It's Milan's turn to do the same this summer. Return the favor Galliani and Berlusconi.

Report Card: Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf has managed 9 matches in total for Milan (1 Coppa Italia, 1 Champions League, 7 Serie A)

Here are the results of each match he managed for Milan, including all competitions:
Jan 19- (H) v Hellas Verona- Win 1-0- Serie A
Jan 22- (H) v Udinese- Loss 2-1- Coppa Italia
Jan 26- (A) v Cagliari- Win 2-1- Serie A
Feb 1- (H) v Torino- Draw 1-1- Serie A
Feb 8- (A) v Napoli- Loss 2-1- Serie A
Feb 14- (H) v Bologna- Win 1-0- Serie A
Feb 19- (H) v Atletico Madrid- Loss 1-0- UCL
Feb 23- (A) v Sampdoria- Win 2-0- Serie A
Mar 2- (H) v Juventus- Loss 2-0- Serie A

Prior to Seedorf's arrival, the team was free falling and headed to a bottom-half league finish, something not associated with Milan. Milan is a club full of legendary footballers who have worn the colors with passion and honor. A rich history that rarely involves embarrassment. Clarence Seedorf has come in and instilled a different mentality and a positive approach to the game.

Coppa Italia

Clarence Seedorf only managed Milan in one cup match and that was in a loss to Udinese, which knocked them out of the tournament. It was only his second match managing the club so I'm not going to really get into it. Its not even a sample size but more of a crumb.

UEFA Champions League

Similar to the Coppa Italia, Seedorf has only managed the one CL match but it was a big one. A Round of 16 first leg match v Atletico Madrid, which resulted in an undeserving 1-0 loss thanks to a late Diego Costa goal. Despite the result, Milan played extremely well, attacking at a level we have rarely seen this season. Kaka nearly scored twice for Milan and Andrea Poli was also denied. If it wasn't for Atletico Madrid's young goalkeeper Courtois denying Milan several times, they probably would have won the match at the San Siro. Sometimes, the "Beautiful Game" isn't so beautiful.  Clarence Seedorf will have to get his club ready for the second leg back in Madrid next Tuesday.

Serie A

The largest serving size. Seedorf has managed 7 Serie A matches for Milan. His record through 7 matches is: 4 Wins, 2 Losses, 1 Draw. A total of 13 pts. For a first time manager, that's pretty solid. Plus, the two losses came against two very good sides in Napoli and Juventus. In the two matches, Milan played above average football and arguably outplayed the opponent despite what the result says. Sure, you would love to have won these matches. However, you must be patient in the development of the club under a new manager. If you watched the matches, you can see improvement and encouraging play from new players Taarabt and Rami. Mario Balotelli and Seedorf have created a relationship that involves trust and a sense of understanding, which is critical for this side. The way Clarence has milked the ability out of some players is exciting going forward.

The Verdict: B+

Clarence Seedorf has managed this squad well and the club is on the rise. A few unlucky moments have taken away points and wins for Milan. The Rossoneri are trending upward. Not being able to finish matches that they have dominated hurts the rating a bit but its an issue we shouldn't be too concerned with moving forward. Milan's upcoming matches are v Udinese Saturday, March 8th and Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, March 11th. Forza Milan.