Monthly Archive: July 2015

Today the draw was made and the 2015-2016 fixture list released. The 2015-2016 Serie A season starts the weekend of August 22 and ends on May 15th.
Milan open the season at Fiorentina and end it at Roma. The first derby is on week 3, September 13th, and the return at the end of January. Week 13, November 22nd, features Milan at Juve with the return being in April. Milan play both first time Serie A teams Carpi and Frosinone in December, on the 6th and 20th of the month respectively.

A deal that came quickly in the last few days is the somewhat surprising sale of Stephan El Shaarawy to Monaco. Monaco made it official today that the he is joining them. The details of the transfer seem to an initial loan of €2-3 million and a mandatory buyout that adds another €13-15 if El Shaarawy plays 15 games for the Ligue 1 team.

Milan has a large squad and with other attacking buys this summer and squad size restrictions coming next summer outgoing transfers are inevitable. However, selling El Shaarawy is likely a mistake. Many have already said that he is injury prone and getting upwards of €18 million for him is a good move. This remains to be seen, when healthy he has shown flashes and this was also true in the last few games of the 2014-2015 season. There is also a likelihood that Hachim Mastour will follow El Shaarawy out of Milan.

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FORZA MILAN

Updated July 8 2015
After delays and doubts the foundation (Fondazione Fiera) administering the land in the Portello district of Milan declared Milan’s offer the winner. Milan had offered more for the land lease and raised their offer recently for the 50 year agreement required. The team can soon begin to start building the stadium in the area that is near the Casa Milan team headquarters. The target of having it ready for the 2018-19 season seems ambitious but if the money and clearance hurdles are overcome it looks possible.

The new AC Milan stadium

Milan have unveiled plans to build a new 48000 capacity “urban” stadium in the Portello area of Milan. The hope – if all land issues are soon resolved – is to have it ready for the 2018-19 season. Arup, the firm also responsible for Munich’s Allianz Arena among others, is working with the team to make a modern stadium that fits well with its urban surroundings.

More details have been released about the stadium. It has a block look, pitch level is below ground and sound absorbing technology will be used to minimize the noise impact on the city. Environmental considerations will also be a priority with solar panels and rainwater collection a centerpoint of the design. Being inside the city it will be easily accessible via public transit. The total cost is going to be around €300 million including the commercial buildings around the stadium.

Jose Mauri will add depth and options to Milan’s midfield

Jose Mauri’s arrival was made official after clearing red tape and a medical today. The 19 year old Argentina born central midfielder is Milan’s fourth official signing after Bertolacci, Bacca and Luiz Adriano. Mauri has played for the Italian under 17 side and holds an Italian passport. He has signed for four years.

Luiz Adriano arrived from Shakhtar Donetsk last week

The next transfer target is likely to be a central defender with Mexes still unsigned and not a certainty to remain. Lots of noise is being made about Roma’s Alessio Romagnoli who played at Sampdoria under Sinisa Mihajlovic on loan from the capital. The 20 year remains a possibility but other targets should be pursued because Rodrigo Ely, Alex, Cristian Zaccardo and Cristian Zapata (plus Paletta! thanks to commenter greggraffinci) are the only recognized central defenders on the roster as of today.

Sinisa Mihajlovic was officially presented as coach. The press conference, available below in English, started by Silvio Berlusconi being optimistic about the future with the new Asian investment. He thanked the eight players that have left the team, so far. Bonera, Bocchetti, Rami, Muntari, Essien, van Ginkel, Destro and Pazzini make way for a new era that starts this summer and more departures will come sooner or later. There was also talk of the stadium which Berlusconi said is moving forward emphasising a team like Milan needs its own modern one.

Sinisa Mihajlovic talked about trying to win every game and making opponents fear Milan. He mentioned Stephan El Shaarawy as a possibility behind the forwards in an attacking midfield role. The same also for Menez, Bonaventura and Cerci, all of whom can play different roles in his opinion.

The 2015-2016 Milan squad as it stands has been posted on the official site as has been the coaching staff, confirming the end of Mauro Tassotti’s 14 year role as assistant coach.

The 28 year old Colombian will arrive soon for a Milan medical.

Official confirmation that Colombian Carlos Bacca has signed for Milan arrived via the official site. It is subject to a medical. Reports say he has signed for four years and Milan paid his €30 million release clause to Sevilla to get the forward. Bacca arrives from scoring two goals in the Europa Cup final won by Sevilla in May. He had an almost 1 goal every 2 games ratio while at Sevilla.
In other news Brazilian Luiz Adriano could be close to joining from Shakhtar Donetsk and until recently Parma player Jose Mauri is almost a Milan player as well.
As always arrivals, departures and much more talk on the forum.