Monthly Archive: March 2025

The international break might have brought time and rest (for those not called up to nation team duty) but the behind the scenes activity seems to have been in full force. Talk of future changes had already started earlier as Milan continued to falter in the Serie A. Conceicao could almost be described as a lame duck with his job on offer to Conte, De Zerbi and perhaps others. Player movement and a move to a more Italian Milan has been in circulation as well. All as rumours of course.

Is a top four and Champions League place and money completely out of the picture. Irish Free Bets is one place to wager on the chances. It is hoped not but Milan sit six points behind that objective and more importantly five places behind. The financial riches of qualification for Europe will have a lot to say for Milan’s summer transfers of course but keep being overstated magnifying the crisis atmosphere. The trip to Napoli will provide another glimpse as to where the team stands late in this 2024-2025 Serie A season.

The unpredictable lineups of this season are looking to continue and it is impossible to know which two central defenders will start for example. Latest word is Thiaw and Gabbia will start with Walker and Theo. The same could be said about the midfield pivots. Fofana hasn’t always convinced but he and Bondo provide the best options. Joao Felix’s underwhelming Milan career and Reijnder’s opposite trajectory are allowing the latter to hold on the more advanced midfield spot along side Pulisic and Leao. Gimenez has cooled off from his very good start and risks not being a starter for this match. Abraham will be the beneficiary. His and many others’ status will be decided in the summer as Milan look for yet more changes.

Napoli have ceded first place to Inter in recent weeks. Conte’s men have four draws in their last seven matches.

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As AC Milan goes through a tremendous shift, reports indicate that nine players could potentially leave the club during summer transfer. AC Milan is one of the oldest and most prestigious clubs in Europe, and although they are used to dramatic changes, such an overhaul indicates a major strategic shift that could change Milan’s future.

AC Milan fans should prepare for an unprecedented Rossoneri squad in the coming months, even though whether this is a strategy Milan needs or a reckless risk is still debatable.

A New Vision Amidst Uncertainty

Milan’s management seems to take drastic measures towards restructuring the organization as they pause on the release of key personnel. While some personnel moves are expected due to contract negotiations and overall performance, others seem to be controversial and beg the question of what exactly is this club’s grand scheme.

Achieving a balance between financial security and competitive goals is challenging, particularly in a league where any mistake can result in losing ground to other competitors. Surprisingly, the transformation of management in sport has shifted in comparison to other segments, such as entertainment and even gambling.

Like sports teams who refresh their rosters, firms in the online casino industry have to refresh their platforms to keep up with the changing preferences of the clients. This correlation indicates that whether in sports, digital entertainment or any other like field, the issue of remaining relevant is a significant concern that needs to be addressed.

Who’s Likely to Leave?

Among the candidates for the unknown but highly probable rumors of elimination are the older players, whose contracts come to an end soonest. As much as they gave in terms of service and served the club as great gallant figures, the focus for Milan seems like they are in need of a more youthful and agile squad.

Those who have previously not met targets might also be considered surplus to requirements, and their exits viewed as essential sacrifices in furthering progress. However, parting ways with renowned figures is always a risk.

Will the new additions yield swift results, or will the club need to endure tough times while new players learn the ropes? This is a question that goes beyond supporters; it also exists in the halls of power in Milan. Like every other field that is outcome-driven, football requires tough decisions, those that may advance or throw the team into a state of regret.

A Tactical and Financial Dilemma

The financial aspect of this squad overhaul cannot be overlooked. With UEFA financial regulations getting tighter, Milan, just like several other clubs, must be careful to invest in good-quality players while still trying to follow the rules.

In addition to the Departures, there are many new signings that are able to propose salary caps, but these changes carry with them the risk of breaking good chemistry within the team. Finally, Milan, under Sergio, has been playing tough ball and Milan has some specific attributes that are needed to make this possible.

Having too many people leave can be quite dangerous due to the time it takes to build a new core and therefore, it could mean no core and very inconsistent performance. This is a risk and one that puts the club directors in a tough position if Milan is to continue performing well as a club.

Potential Signings and the Future of Milan

Although some of the comings and goings at Milan might seem complicated to you, there is more space for new talent. The scouting department of the club will have to find suitable players who can be easily blended within the existing team.  

There are rumors that the club is monitoring some young stars from Europe’s leading leagues with specific emphasis on the midfield and forward positions. This restructuring could also involve some degree of delegation from the club’s lower divisions.

It has always been Milan’s objective to consider their academy’s exports, which even means coming up with sustainable solutions and strategies for the shortage of quality within the club’s infrastructure.

The Emotional Weight of Change

For the average layman, whether it is a yes or no to renew a contract, a player leaving is much more painful to digest. Change is emotionally charged and with strong sentiments. Players who for so long have put in the work or those known as gentle heroes sometimes do one thing that no one expects: leave.

And unlike a contract or other statistics, loyalty to the game runs deeper and is much more complex. No matter how painful losing strikers during the proposed departure of Milan may seem, it has the possibility of giving room to new and winning characters plus scorers.

Conclusion

The team’s future offers promise, but AC Milan’s fate now rests in their own hands, and change is never easy, so success is not guaranteed.

Nevertheless, post a long absence, the fans will notice differences in the team, so whether they accept them or not, Milan is moving forward. Milan understands the changes and the risks undertaken, but it seems that the most proficient and drastic action has been achieved.

The news cycle has been concentrating on who could be a possible replacement for Conceicao with calls for an ‘Italian revolution’ featuring Allegri perhaps. This of course says a lot about how the team has performed under its second coach of the season. The hope, at least, is that now Conceicao has more time to train with the team and a cohesive and more solid team will finish the season on a high. Top four is eight points and five teams away, a Champions League place looks impossible with expected financial implications but the team has enough talent to grow further and do better.

Week 28’s win at Lecce featured two tight offside goals and a come back. Pulisic had a great hand in the win and is surely the player of the season. With Lecce struggling to score goals for most of the season their two goals allowed highlighted the problems at the back more than most other games. Midweek brought on the idea that a three at the back formation would be tried to find some solidity plus balance but it seems unlikely that any Milan coach would abandon a back four for long, if at all.

Maignan returns from a one game suspension and as mentioned it remains likely that Walker, Thiaw, Gabbia and Theo will be the back four. Tomori is available and Pavlovic is available after his one game red card suspension. Bondo had a positive debut and looks to start with Musah in the middle. The latter American has been another struggling player and his position could be at risk. The initial pseudo-euphoria at the Joao Felix loan deal has mostly soured as the Portuguese has been underwhelming at times. Reijnders, with a recent contract extension, is likely to retain the spot behind Gimenez. Leao, not a regular starter under a second consecutive Portuguese coach, should be back to the first 11. Pulisic should surely start every remaining game this season.

Como are the current it team in the Serie A attracting the rich and the famous to their games. As with Venezia in previous seasons the team looks to capitalize on their location at least. Cesc Fabregas’ reputation as coach is growing and the team may be able to avoid Venezia’s fate and find a more consistent stay in the Serie A.

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A losing streak and ninth place is a team in deep crisis. The atmosphere around the team should be and apparently is at a low point. To hear headlines and rumours that (Italian) coaches are waiting in the wings to take over points to a mess and a lost season. Conceicao has had a bit more training time with the less busy fixture list and claims that he is a ‘increasingly lonely’ with little support from the top will be tested.

There had some reports that a few players will be rested and while it is hard to justify the need for rest it is perhaps a need for the coach to use his authority while it remains. it is now confirmed that Leao will start on the bench for this game away to Lecce. Whether moves like this are necessary or change this and future game outlook remains to be seen. Both Fonseca before him and now Conceicao himself certainly used many changed elevens.

Maignan got himself a one match ban apparently for saying something to the referee last week versus Lazio. Pavlovic is suspended due to red he received versus the same team. Refereeing continues to make its mark to taint the game further and further. VAR meant to improve the game and eliminate mistakes has not contributed much to its cause. One can certainly not deny that controversial decisions remain even with the extra eyes that are supposed to lessen them. Betting with Free Bets UK as to how this or any other game goes will be at the mercy of more than the players themselves.

Sportiello makes his first start in a long while with Thiaw and Gabbia in the middle. Walker and Theo will need to use their experience and speed if the rest of the season is to go as well as it can. Musah and Bondo are starting as pivots as the latter begins his Milan career. Jimenez, Reijnder and Pulisic are behind Gimenez as some early suggestions were that the Mexican would start on the bench with Abraham getting the start.

Marco Giampaolo hosts his former team with Lecce hoping to improve upon his team’s three point distance from the relegation spots.

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Successive 2-1 losses against Torino and Bologna have added pressure on the team. Conceicao’s arrival at the beginning of the calendar, to replace Fonseca, brought with it cautious optimism that the players would work harder and respond on the pitch. The will had seemed to be lacking and lineup changes had sometimes been puzzling but Conceicao has not changed the picture as much as it had been hoped considering the differing and more strict style of the new coach. Not the coach’s name is already being mentioned in exit rumours with the usual and not so usual replacement options being mentioned.

With no Champions League left to play in and the Coppa Italia semifinal versus Inter only in early April the fixture list for March is light. This plus the international break might give time for Conceicao to impose his methods more as one of the issues have been that the new coach has had far too few training days available to him in January and February.

Milan sit in eighth spot and Lazio fifth to start this week 27 matchday. Any remaining chance of a top four spot will fade even more if three points are not gained. Walker returning from injury should be a boost and he will line up with Thiaw, Tomori and Theo. The latter’s disappointing season has led to many summer sale rumours and it remains to be seen if summer 2025 doesn’t require yet another ‘revolution’ or rest. One can also question the reason why Pavlovic is in and out of the line up but at least the coach has options, with Gabbia another as well. Fofana and Reijnders are likely pivots despite the later doing better further up the pitch when given the chance. Pulisic however remains one of the stars of the season and plying him closer to goal is a good choice. Musah has been deployed on the right of midfield and as right winger, not always to good effect. The right side of the team remains a questionable or even weak spot. Leao on left wing needs to show much more than he has but he remains one of the stars of the team and Serie A. Gimenez early days or Milan have promised a lot and his presence and instinct for the goal is a danger to any opposition. Felix looks to be on the bench for this match as the Portuguese has been inconsistent and the early excitement of his loan has somewhat faded.

Alessio Romagnoli and his teammates have had a solid season so far in Marco Baroni’s first season in charge. Lazio’s record at the San Siro has been very poor with only a single win in last 34 visits.

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