In a nutshell, AC Milan have started the 2015-16 season poorly. Seven games in season and they have managed just three wins so far, resulting in four losses.
Heading into the latest international break off two straight defeats, they will be looking to bounce back and find some much needed form next weekend. The first three games of the season saw them go down to Fiorentina before a resilient showing against Empoli saw a 2-1 win, yet this was followed up with lacklustre showing in the Derby della Madonnina where they were beaten 1-0 by Inter.
Outside90’s Thomas Haining-Rutherford looks at which aspects of life around the club need to be fixed in order to set the ship back on course before the New Year.
Mental Strength Lacking
A key problem Milan has had for the past few seasons has been their lack of mental strength and instability in games. It had looked as though they had turned the corner on this upon return from the first international break with a 3-2 victory over Palermo, where they had a response for both goals opposition almost immediately. Carlos Bacca was showing promise and form at the beginning of the season, Giacomo Bonaventura was a menace in the midfield and showed his own goalscoring abilities, while Mattia De Sciglio displayed the potential he was touted to possess.
The acquisitions of Bacca, Luiz Adriano and Bertolacci were meant to provide the kind of stability that Milan want and need, with a look toward playing Champions League games. So far though, this season appears to be just as inconsistent as the last. The midfield is lacking creatively in most of the games, with Bonaventura leading the way but not having much help.
Fast forward to the second international break and the Rossoneri currently sit 11th on the table with just nine points. While they are still within reach of fourth spot, only five behind, Fiorentina are firing on all cylinders at the top of the table on 18 points already. The return of Mario Balotelli has so far not produced the results that are badly needed, he is yet to find the form that saw him net 26 goals in 43 games with his first Milan stint.
READ MORE: Serie A – What We Learned – AC Milan 0 Napoli 4
New Coach New Start?
Siniša Mihajlović is the fourth manager at the San Siro since 2014 and his appointment was hoped to bring a sense of stability to the mental strength of the team. With the preseason additions and the loaning of Balotelli, fans of the Rosseneri could be forgiven for thinking they had a team that could challenge for the Serie A title, or at the very least a top three spot, instead of sitting 11th on the table. Mihajlović will be hoping he can gel the squad working together this season and get the results he needs, the already under pressure coach will be unjustly targeted by the media for the soft performance of the team. If the players do not pick themselves up, they may find themselves with coach number five before the season is done.
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Fire Up All Cylinders
For the men from Milan to mount a charge up the ladder and restart the season after the international break, they are going to need some key players to find some consistency in their games. Bonaventura, Bacca and Adriano are just a few players that need to recharge and start taking control, instead of going missing throughout games. Carlos Bacca joined from Sevilla this season and has three goals in seven outings, however, has dropped form in recent weeks.
Bonaventura, who has been with the team since 2014, is showing excellent form already and appears to be assist-happy, always wanting to link-up with Bacca up front. Adriano signed from Shakhtar this year but is yet to show his worth, only recording one goal in seven appearances. Success for Milan this season will be centered on the midfield and forwards forming a threatening partnership, not the abysmal performance they showed against Napoli which saw them succumb to a brutal 4-0 loss at home. Defensively they should be sound, with Matiia De Sciglio, Davide Calabria, Alessio Romagnoli and Cristian Zapata all excellent players and Rodrigo Ely and Alex providing sturdy alternatives. Yet they have not been able to provide the defensive cover needed this season.
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Crucial Three
The next three games for Milan will be crucial with matches against Torino, Sassuolo and Chievo – all teams above them on the table. If they can win these next three games, perhaps the fortunes of Mihajlović and the team will turn around and we may see a charge up the ladder from the Rossoneri. Conversely, a continuing of the halfhearted performances that have been seen each game so far, where they seemingly only play one half of a match may see them all the way at the bottom if they are not careful. Reigning champions Juventus have done worse than Milan this season, but are creeping back up and sit a point behind them. The race is on between the two teams as to who can finish off worse, fans of the Rossoneri will be hoping it is not them, but they will need luck and good fortune on their side for it not to be.
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