Week 35’s 3-3 tie versus Genoa extended Milan’s winless streak to six matches. It cemented the need for a new coach. Leading 3-2 Pioli opted to bring on Thiaw in Chukwueze’s place, the fact that the German’s own goal tied the score minutes later highlighted the issue. This type of sub also further confirmed the necessity for new thinking. If a new coach, Porto’s Sergio Conceicao being the latest ‘hot’ candidate, brings that remains to be seen. If not his tactics the Portuguese coach’s temperament is at least questionable.

It is are somewhat surprising, if reports are to be true, that Pioli will use a much changed starting 11. Opting for a possible 4-3-3 without Calabria, Theo, Tomori and Leao is even more so. Kalulu, Thiaw, Gabbia and Florenzi in front of Sportiello is the predicted back line. Musah, Reijnders and Bennacer forming a middle three is at least good to try and against a 15th placed team perhaps might yield a positive outcome. Sports papers go on to report a possible front three of Chukwueze, Giroud and Pulisic. The latter American has not often played the left wing during his Milan career. Loftus-Cheek, Maignan and Kjaer remain on the injured list but may be all ready for week 37.

Cagliari have not won in four games and sit only three points above the relegation spot occupied by Udinese.

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Week 34’s match against Juventus was not a great advertisement for Italian nor did Milan shine in any shape for form. The 0-0 draw was widely noted as a boring uneventful match. The 2023-2024 season is ending in a sort of anticlimactic way with only second pace to play for. Juventus can catch Milan and take over second spot but it won’t matter all that much. Next season’s new Champions League format has already guaranteed the Serie A five spots, up from four, and even if that was in question the danger would be lower.

The rest of the season’s biggest drama is likely to be the search for Piuoli’s successor. So far mostly unimpressive names have mentioned but it is too early to be sure if the choice will be high profile or not. A lot will depend on Gerry Cardinale’s ambition and willingness.

In the warm up for the aforementioned Juveutus match Maignan injured himself and Sportiello deputized well. The Italian will start again versus Genoa. Calabria will serve the second of his two match ban but since Hernandez is back from suspension Pioli won’t have to use Musah at the back. Florenzi and Hernandez will play alongside Tomori and Gabbia. It looks like bennacer and Reijnders will be used the rest of the way with Adi on the bench. Loftus- CHeek is not 100% and this will move Pulisic to the attacking midfield role and Chukwueze to the wing. Leao will start on the left with the departing Giroud playing up front in one of his final Milan games.

Genoa feature the familiar name of Messias on their squad but the Brazilian is out injured. Il Grifone are coached by Gilardino of course and despite his team being only 12th in the standings he is gaining fans for his coaching.

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The derby unfolded as some feared. Milan looked unconvincing at best and the tactics, notably starting Leao as a more central striker, did not work as many expected too. Some late urgency added little to the saddening and even humiliating sight of Inter winning the Scudetto in front of Milan fans. Pioli’s future brought into more question has perhaps been sealed now. Some of the supposed replacement choices look to be questionable but that’s for later.

The manner in which the derby ended exposed another Milan weakness. Theo got involved with Denzel Dumfries again and will be suspended for this week 34 match at Juventus. Calabria’ elbow hit on Davide Frattesi was reckless and has handed the right back a two game suspension. To top it off Tomori’s yellow makes him the third player to miss this clash with the third placed team. Kjaer and Kalulu’s absence means that Gabbia and Thiaw are the only two available center backs. Florenzi and Musah are set to play left and right back respectively. Terracciano remains an option at full back. Bennacer and Reijnders will start in front the back four. Leao, Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic will start behind Giroud. The latter is on his way to LAFC of the MLS and his departure will kick the search for a new (young) striker into high gear.

Juventus are going their own version of league struggles with only one Serie A win since the beginning of March. However the gap between the two teams is only five points and if Milan want to keep the second place race secure points are needed.

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A winning run has been interrupted by two European losses to Roma and a mediocre tie versus relegation candidates Sassuolo. These results have soured the Pioli stay expectations to the point that his summer departure is all but confirmed. On the eve of a derby where Inter can clinch the Scudetto with a win it seems that Milan are already close to choosing Pioli’s successor. Many names have already floated by the media, most not exciting, but it would be a surprise if a selection is indeed imminent as claimed by a few.

As for this game itself it is important that the players themselves realize that allowing Inter a celebration on Milan’s turf, this being a home game, would be nothing short of humiliating. Pioli’s mostly predictable line up and formation may not hold much of a surprise for Simone Inzaghi’s Inter and that has proven stubborn, naive and dangerous. Recent derbies have been one of the main showcases of Pioli’s weaknesses as coach.

There is a central defender shortage as Thiaw managed to get a yellow cards suspension at Sassuolo. Kalulu is still out and Kjaer is struggling with a knock. This leaves Gabbia and Tomori as certain starters. Simic would be an option but he is doing well with the primavera and has led Abate’s men to the UEFA Youth League final – where they will meet Olympiacos. Maignan is in goal and Calabria and Hernandez will be the full backs. Some uncertainty exists in the midfield as Bennacer has a chance to start despite less than good form. Adli could start and his passion for the cause has been greater than most. Reijnders is the other likely starter. Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao plus Giroud should be the starting front line leaving no space for Chukwueze. The latter has been gaining momentum but it remains to be seen if Pioli is willing to tweak his starting 11.

Inter, as mentioned on their way to the title, are a relatively healthy squad with only Juan Cuadrado on the sidelines. The Colombian is set to leave Inter at the end of the season.

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Following the 3-0 win versus Lecce the winning run was interrupted in the Europa League quarter finals first leg 0-1 loss to Roma. The Daniele De Rossi led visitors faced a mediocre looking Milan and the new Roma coach out managed Pioli. The team showed late urgency which featured a poor Giroud miss and of course a catalog of refereeing question marks. VAR and on the pitch decisions remain as controversial as ever.

Late in the week it has been announced that Maignan will miss this week 32 match due to fatigue and Sportiello will hop into the starting spot. Florenzi will allow Calabria some rest and start with Kjaer and Tomori. It is possible that there will be further rotation as Terracciano has a chance to start as well giving Theo a day off. Adli, Musah and Reijnders should start in the middle but further changes are expected on the wings and upfront. Jovic, Okafor and Chukwueze are set to make up a much changed starting 11. Previous heavy rotation games have not been produced the needed result and this may give some caution to Pioli. The coach’s future seems to be with Milan but rumours and reports are just that and it is hoped management will make a more objective analysis of the season overall in the summer.

Sassuolo have had a disappointing season sitting in the relegation spots and will miss two famous names for Milan fans. Both Domenico Berardi and Samu Castillejo are among the players missing this match.

Juventus has dropped a further two points leading up to this match. The Turin derby has ended in a scoreless tie and so a win versus the lowly Sassuolo further solidifies second spot, +8 from third place Juventus, heading into the derby della madonnina and the final weeks of the season.

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Every win brings the team closer to keeping Pioli for next season. The coach’s fate seemed almost certain a few weeks ago but a winning run dating back to over a month has resurrected the idea of Pioli staying. While management may be being convinced the same can not be said of the fans, A MilanMania poll is less forgiving of the coach and the need for new ideas and tactics. Time will tell and the winning needs to continue.

In just over two week it is time for another derby and Inter fans are salivating over the idea of clinching the Scudetto at the derby. Inter are runaway leaders but the aforementioned winning run has Milan advancing towards second place. Lecce in the 13th spot and Sassuolo in 19th present two big chances for further points to increase the distance from the faltering Juventus.

Theoi returns from a one game suspension however Loftus-Cheek goes into the same. The latter’s absence has made for a rethink of the front line and it is likely that Pulisic moves to the attacking role bind the striker. His right wing spot will be taken by the seemingly improving Chukwueze. Leao will of course continue on the left. There were whispers of a Giroud rest, in favour of Jovic, but it seems that the Frenchman will start. A busy schedule including the Europa League quarter finals versus Roma await and rotation may be on the cards. Pioli will have to be cautious however as recent rotation or experiments have mostly backfired.

Adli and Reijnders will likely keep the pivot spots with Gabbia and Tomori the favorites for the middle of defense. Calabria, Theo and Maignan round out the starting 11.

Luca Gotti is now in charge of Lecce after Roberto D’Aversa was dismissed from his position after a headbutting incident last month in the game versus Verona.

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As the March international break ends league campaigns enter the home stretch. Milan have grabbed the second spot from Juventus for now and can hope to finish the season on a relative high with perhaps a Europa League trophy too. The form has put into doubt Pioli’s presumed future as well. The coach is still thought to be on his way out in the summer but there may be a chance of things turning if this current form lasts into May.

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First stop on the aforementioned home stretch is Fiorentina. I Viola have not really delivered on any promise this season and are closer to midtable than the top spots. The hosts will be without Bonaventura for the same reason that Milan will be without Theo. Yellows accumulation suspension. The injury situation is relatively mild however with Kalulu and Pobega on the sidelines.

Theo’s absence forces Florenzi back into the line up. Calabria being the other trusted full back means that the center back spots are the uncertain ones with Tomori and Gabbia perhaps ahead of Thiaw and the not 100% ready Kjaer. A similar situation is set for midfield with Reijnders lining up with Adli but Bennacer could be available fit to start in place of the latter. The front four seem more certain with Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao all on good form with Giroud as the center forward. The latter is all but certain to be playing his final games for Milan as he heads to Major League Soccer and the bright lights of Los Angeles in the summer. The 37 year old has so far contributed 46 goals for the Milan cause as a number 9 since his arrival in 2021.

Whilst without the suspended Bonaventura Fiorentina do feature one somewhat forgotten long time Milan target Andrea Belotti. The forward’s name would be all over the papers as a Giroud replacement but as he enters his 30s Milan have moved on to younger targets. Perhaps Lille’s Jonathan David? Perhaps Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee? What about RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko or Sporting’s surely now very expensive Victor Gyokeres? As always Milan will be linked to a multitude of realistic and not so realistic names.

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Rotation hasn’t always made for good Milan outcomes and despite some need for it – with more European and domestic matches coming after the international break – Pioli opted to sit Giroud for Okafor and keep the rest of the team intact. Kalulu did get a post injury start however. Maignan’s midweek injury scare was not and he started as well.

Milan’s oft dominant left side caused the most trouble early on and Verona could have been behind early on. An Okafor volley was saved well by Lorenzo Montipo’s fingertips as Milan threatened more with Verona rarely able to venture forward.

Pulisic’s hard shot surprised the Verona keeper but hit the crossbar as the quarter point of the match still had Milan with the bulk of the ball with 70% possession stats. As the 30 minute mark was approaching Verona managed to threaten the Milan goal and see more of the ball. Tomori got a yellow for stopping the on rushing Tijjani Noslin. The Dutch winger, who arrived to the Serie A this past January, showcasing his speed.

Milan missed chances with Okafor and Reijnders shooting wide and high with theirs but Verona made more forays into the Milan zone and Maignan became busier as half time approached. The breakthrough arrived courtesy of Theo as he did all from a Leao pass and beat two defenders and the keeper. In the aftermath he received a yellow to miss the next match, for reasons mostly known to the referee.

Gabbia replaced Kalulu at half time. The latter may have hurt his knee in a collision earlier in the first half. Dani Silva replaced Suat Serdar for the hosts. Pawel Dawidowicz’s mistake allowed Okafor to run on the goal, his shot was punched out to the feet of Pulisic who made it to 2-0.

Signs of Milan letting off a bit started to creep in and Verona proceeded to make a triple sub. Stefan Mitrovic replaced Darko Lazovic, Karol Swiderski replaced Michael Folorunsho and Giangiacomo Magnani replaced Pawel Dawidowicz. The aforementioned Noslin opened the scoring with a hard shot for Verona not from the wings but the top of the box into the left corner.

Giroud and Musah came on for Pulisic and Loftus-Cheek right after that goal. At the 70^th minutefed in by Giroud it was Leao who missed wide left one on one with the Verona keeper. Chukwueze replaced Okafor for the final 16 minutes of regular time. Soon afterRuben Vinagre replaced Juan David Cabal for Verona.

Milan made it 3-1 when a Bennacer corner was headed on and volleyed into the far corner by Chukwueze. The latter scored his first Serie A goal of the season. The final sub has Kjaer coming on for Tomori. Noslin made another attempt from far but it was wide, the 24 years old could be one to watch. As the 90^th minute approached Chukwueze had a half chance but shot low and just wide and Swiderski had a hard shot stopped by Maignan. The latter seemed uncomfortable after that stop.

The game ended 3-1. Juventus had dropped points earlier in the day. Milan now had a three point cushion in the fight for second place.

Milan's summer 2024 transfer market top priority is? (Choose up to two)

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• A center back
• A midfielder
• A fullback

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As always a lot has been rumoured already about what Milan needs and can do to strengthen during the upcoming 2024 summer transfer window.

The season has highlighted some more obvious weaknesses.

A young striker is always desirable especially with Giroud older and a possible departure in the cards, possibly to the MLS, any way. Jovic has deputized well, sometimes, but a team like Milan needs more, to play on several fronts especially.

Many fans and commentators alike believe a Kessie type midfielder is missing from the current Milan. A strong player that can carry the ball between zones would help against weaker and stronger opposition and tactics. Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Bennacer, Musah, Adli anbd Pobega have shown varied form and not exactly used consistently by Pioli. The team should look to make an improvement in the middle.

Kjaer is aging, Gabbia, Kalulu, Thiaw, Tomori and even Hernandez have also shown differing form during the current season playing in the back. The team as a whole has conceded a far too high number of 32 goals (after 28 matches at time of writing). Injuries have disrupted enough to provide needed clarity but depth and more are needed in the back too.

The full back position is intriuguing. The team has Hernandez and little more in the left back back spot but various rumours and moves have pointed at the right back spot. Neither Calabria nor Florenzi are world beaters but for example but at least they are available bodies, yet when the chance arrived Milan moved swiftly for Terracciano. The young Verona born and player is versatile but his main position is right back.

Cardinale, sitting along side senior advisor Ibra, has recently again claimed that he wants changes and wants Milan to challenge more and sooner. The summer will be one indicator at the possible ambitions. A possible and likely new coach will be another pointer too.

Fifty two points after 24 rounds is a very good return yet Milan sit in third place with a poor defensive record and questionable tactics from a coach who might not survive beyond the summer. Beating Napoli 1-0 propelled Milan to within striking distance of second place, and with Juventus’ week 25 tie versus Verona a chance to jump one place higher. A convincing European win albeit in the less respected and not as highly viewed Europa League also highlighted the week before travelling to Monza.

Thiaw returned from injury versus Rennes and is a candidate to start. Kjaer had stepped in the last few week but the aging Dane should not be risked with too many games and had momentarily lapses in his recent starts. There are some indications that with another European night coming four days after meeting Monza there might be a small rotation in the squad with Okafor and Jovic getting starts. The latter certainly deserves the chance as the unofficial Giroud backup has done well. Bennacer could hop back to a starting position as well. Gabbia has impressed since his loan return and will keep playing while Tomori (and Kalulu) are out. Calabria came off with a knock versus Napoli with Florenzi ready to step in.

Monza have hovered midtable and have just one win in last five.

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