AC Milan Season Review: A Rollercoaster Ride So Far

As we approach the business end of the season, it’s time to take a deep dive into AC Milan’s campaign so far. From new signings to managerial changes, from thrilling highs to frustrating lows, it’s been a season of mixed emotions for the Rossoneri faithful. Let’s break it all down, with a sprinkle of my own opinions (because, let’s be honest, that’s what makes football discussions fun).

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The Signings: Hits, Misses, and Question Marks

Milan made a flurry of signings this season, some of which have worked out, while others… well, let’s just say they’ve left us scratching our heads.

- Youssouf Fofana: Started slow, but boy has he picked up his game. The man is a machine in midfield now, breaking up play and working his socks off. A solid signing, and one that’s proving his worth.

- Tammy Abraham: On loan and doing a decent job as a backup striker. He’s come up with some crucial goals and works hard for the team. I wouldn’t mind keeping him around next season, but only as a backup option.

- Strahinja Pavlovic: Aerial threat? Check. Starting XI material? Check. This guy has been a rock at the back and a great addition to the squad.

- Emerson Royal: Oh, where do I start? Tottenham fans laughed at us when we signed him, and now I see why. The man is a liability. Plain and simple. Every time he’s on the pitch, I’m nervous. Not a fan.

- Kyle Walker: Age is just a number, right? Walker might be getting older, but his pace is still a game-changer in Serie A. Defensively solid (a rarity for modern full-backs) and a leader at the back. Exactly what Milan needed. Some say he’s the greatest right-back in Premier League history, maybe it’s his English-ness ha ha.

- Alvaro Morata: Five league goals by the winter break? Not good enough. Especially when you compare him to Kolo Muani, who’s banged in five goals in just three games for Juve. Maybe it’s personal issues but whatever the reason, he’s been a disappointment. G;ad to see him loaned out.

- Santi Gimenez: From what I’ve seen on YouTube (yes, I’m scouting players on YouTube now), he looks like a gem. Seven league goals for Feyenoord and five in the Champions League, including a brace against Bayern. Let’s see if he can bring that form to Milan.

- Joao Felix: I’m 50/50 on this one. On paper, he’s a fantastic player with incredible dribbling skills. But why didn’t Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, or Barcelona keep him? There’s a question mark there, but I’m optimistic. I think he can thrive at Milan.

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The Managers: Fonseca Out, Conceicao In

Coming into the season, expectations were unclear. Could Milan challenge for the title? Or was that too much to ask with a new manager, a new system, and a host of new signings?

- Fonseca: The fans turned on him quickly. No clear tactics, no clear strategy, and worst of all, he couldn’t get the best out of Rafael Leao. Sure, there were some big wins (beating Inter and Real Madrid), but when you’re dropping points against the likes of Parma and Cagliari, it’s not good enough. He was sacked, and rightly so.

- Conceicao: Hired midway through the season, and what a start he had! Winning the Super Cup against Juve and Inter (coming from 2-0 down against Inter, no less) was the highlight of the season. His cigar-smoking, dance-move celebrations in the dressing room were pure class.

oomph oomph

But since then, performances have dipped. Losses to Juve and Dinamo, and scraping wins against relegation-threatened teams like Parma and Como, show there’s still a lot of work to do.

The "So-Called Rivals": Milan’s Struggle to Keep Up

Let’s talk about the so-called rivals, shall we? Because let’s be honest, Milan haven’t been good enough this season to even call them proper rivals. We’re out here fighting for 7th place while they’re busy living their best lives at the top of the table. But hey, let’s break it down anyway.

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Inter: The Arch-Nemesis (and Their Judas Players)

Inter, the self-proclaimed "Kings of Milan," are sitting pretty at the top of the table. They’ve got a better squad, a better manager, and, unfortunately, a better season so far. But let’s not forget, they’re also the team that has Hakan Calhanoglu, the ultimate Judas. The man left Milan for Inter, and now he’s out here pretending he’s the second coming of Pirlo. Please!!! Inter might be good, but they’re not likeable. Not even a little bit. They’re the kind of team that celebrates a 1-0 win like they’ve just won the Champions League. Small club energy, if you ask me.

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Napoli: Conte, Lukaku, and the Badge-Kissing Saga

Then there’s Napoli, who brought in Antonio Conte, the serial winner with a temper shorter than my patience during a VAR check. Conte knows how to win Serie A, and he’s got Romelu Lukaku leading the line. Ah, Lukaku. The man who loves every club he’s played for so much that he’s kissed the badge at every single one. Chelsea, Inter, United, Anderlecht—you name it, he’s kissed it. It’s like he’s collecting badges like Pokémon. But love him or hate him, the man is a goal machine (especially under Daddy Conte). He’s probably going to finish the season as top scorer, and I hate that I have to admit that.

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Juve: The Old Lady and Her New Tricks

Juventus, the most successful team in Serie A history, are doing what they do best: being annoyingly good. They’ve got Thiago Motta, the young, talented manager Milan wanted but didn’t get (because, let’s face it, who would choose us over Juve right now?). Motta has turned Juve into a well-oiled defensive machine, and their young squad is firing on all cylinders. Meanwhile, Milan are out here struggling to beat Parma. It’s embarrassing, really. But hey, at least we’ve got history on our side… right?

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The Rest: Roma, Lazio, and the Also-Rans

Let’s not forget Roma and Lazio, who are both having decent seasons but let’s be real—they’re not real rivals. Roma are too busy being inconsistent, and Lazio are… well, Lazio. They’re like that one friend who shows up to the party uninvited but doesn’t really make an impact. Sure, they’re there, but does anyone actually care?

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The Harsh Reality: Milan Aren’t in the Conversation

The sad truth is, Milan haven’t been good enough to call any of these teams proper rivals this season. We’re out here dropping points to Parma and Cagliari while they’re battling for the title. It’s like showing up to a sword fight with a spoon. Sure, you’re in the fight, but you’re not exactly a threat.

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The League Campaign: A Mixed Bag

Currently sitting in 7th, outside the European spots, is farcical for a club of Milan’s stature. Dropping points against smaller teams and being outplayed at home by lesser opposition tells the story of the season. The aim was always to make the top 4 or 5 for a Champions League spot, but right now, that looks like a tough ask.

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The Players: Stars, Flops, and Everything in Between

- Theo Hernandez: On his day, he’s one of the best full-backs in the world. But this season? He’s playing like he doesn’t want to be here. If you asked me today, I’d say get him out of my club. After costing Milan in the champions league by getting sent off, its clear to see why Milan have not renewed his contract yet while renewing other important players.

- Rafael Leao: An on/off season for our star man. Two Portuguese managers should’ve been able to get the best out of him, but Fonseca failed miserably. Leao has had some great moments, but to be world-class, you need consistency. He’s not there yet.

- Tijani Reijnders: Our best player this season, hands down. One of the best midfielders in the league, with added goals to his game, exceptional dribbling, and a passing range that makes us forget about Tonali. A joy to watch.

- Christian Pulisic: Captain America has been a revelation. Joint top scorer with Reijnders, he’s proving all the Chelsea fans wrong who called him a “leftover.” Take that, Blues fans!

-Magic Mike Maignan: A couple of years ago, I would’ve confidently declared Mike Maignan as the best goalkeeper in the world. The man was a wall, a magician, a one-man rescue operation for Milan. But let’s be real—things haven’t been the same since that racism debacle where he wanted to walk off the pitch and rightfully so. Racism is a problem in football but more so in the Italian game. It was a moment that shook him, and unfortunately, mistakes have started creeping into his game. Take the recent match against Feyenoord, for example. A costly error in the first leg robbed Milan of a crucial advantage. It’s frustrating to watch, especially when you know just how good he can be. But here’s the thing: despite the dip in form, Maignan is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His shot-stopping ability, his command of the box, and his distribution are still top-tier. He’s the kind of keeper who can single-handedly win you games, and let’s not forget how influential he is to this team. He’s a leader, a calming presence at the back, and someone who sets the standard for everyone else. When Maignan is on his game, Milan are a different team.

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Note to self: If Maignan reads this, please don’t let Feyenoord happen again. My heart can’t take it.

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The Future: What’s Next for Milan?

Despite the ups and downs, there’s reason for optimism. The recent tweaks in style and formation, along with the arrivals of Felix, Walker, and Gimenez, have shown promise. I think Milan will sneak into the Champions League next season and I thought they were a  dark horse in the competition this year...Shows what I know. But if we’re being realistic, our best shot at silverware is the Coppa Italia.

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Final Thoughts

It’s been a rollercoaster of a season, but that’s what makes supporting Milan so special (and stressful). The highs have been high, and the lows have been… well, let’s not talk about those. But with a bit of luck and some more consistency, there’s still hope for this team. Forza Milan!

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Note: All opinions are my own, and if you disagree, feel free to fight me in the comments.