Football Season Guide

After an 8 year absence from the top 2 in Serie A, last season Milan managed reached the runner up spot on the very last day of the campaign. It was a notable result considering the limitations of the squad coach Stefano Pioli had to deal with. He was confirmed at the helm of the team for the new season, but he will have to make do with a partly renewed group. In fact, during the summer, the management tried to strengthen the squad while limiting expenditure. Key player in goalkeeper Donnarumma was released, as was another important starter in attacking midfielder Calhanoglu. More players could also be leaving the club, come the right offer. Milan offloaded players who left no mark on the season at all in Mandzukic and Meité, or in the case of Hauge and Dalot who wanted more playing time elsewhere. The new man between the sticks will be Maignan, who was a protagonist with the new French champions, Lille. Moreover, Milan made sure that centre-back Tomori and holding midfielder Tonali remained at the club, turning their loans into permanent deals. Besides them, they also signed a valid alternative to Hernandez at left-back in Ballo-Touré and an experienced forward, Giroud, to provide an alternative to the worn-out and almost 40-year-old Ibrahimovic as the lone striker. Milan are still on the hunt for more quality for the midfield and more valid alternatives to the attacking midfielders together with one more forward to provide more depth in the squad.