Week 36: Milan – Sampdoria

Exit from the Champions League at the hands of a city rival leaves a bitter taste. With top 4 at serious risk this season is on the verge of a big regression. Pioli, but not solely he, must face the consequences and perhaps be let go. The summer may necessitate big changes but will Milan spend or just follow a elongated series of bargain hunts. Leao may, finally, be set for a long stay at Milan but there is plenty more to fix and improve.

Week 36 has Milan hosting Sampdoria, a team already relegated. Will this mean this is an easy match? History says otherwise. Any chance of securing a Champions League spot rests on beating Sampdoria, and Juve and Verona in the coming weeks as well.

Bennacer, post knee surgery, is the only – long term – absentee. Ibra is of course out as well. There is little quality for Pioli to rely on up front. Giroud will get a start as the fate of Origi is almost sealed. He may not be a Milan player come September. He will rank as one of the bigger disappointments. Diaz, Leao and possibly Messias will play behind the Frenchman. Krunic and Tonali are almost certain starting pivots in front of Theo, Thiaw, Tomori and Calabria. Maignan has done extremely well in the midst of this 2023 crisis and should be Milan’s player of season. His long midseason absence is the only thing that could count against him.

Dejan Stankovic’s men are about to conclude a disastrous season which has been tumultuous on and off the pitch. The team’s Serie B future looks bleak and a quick Serie A return is not the most expected outcome. Ownership questions are anything but settled.

There is always more about this match and others on the forums.