These are exciting times for the fans of AC Milan of Italy with the number of signings they have made this summer. They have signed 10 key players and due to that, everyone in the football world would watch AC Milan keenly to see how their signings will bring the club back to the Zenith of European and Italian football.
The Rosenerri as they are popularly called in Italy seem to be on their way back to the top where they were for many years in the past.
AC Milan used to be one of the top clubs in Europe. They are the second most successful team in Europe with seven UEFA Champions League trophies, after Real Madrid (12). They rose to prominence in the late 80’s when the club was acquired by Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.
His time at the helm saw the signings of the Dutch trio of Marco Van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard in the late 80’s. That Milan team also had the best defence in Europe with Mauro Tasotti, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Costacurta and Franco Baresi. They conquered Italy and Europe. With Arrigo Sacchi as coach, they became the first club to win the Champions League back to back in 1989 and 1990.
Their tradition of making marquee signings continued throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s until the Calciopoli scandal that rocked Italian football in 2006. The scandal saw Juventus demoted to Seria B, that’s the second tier of Italian club football while 15 points were deducted from AC Milan at the start of the season. From there on it was a moment of decline for AC Milan.
They have played three seasons without European football. Last season however, they were able to qualify for the Europa League after finishing sixth in the league.
Despite being seven-time European champions and 18-time Italian champions, they last time Milan won the Italian league was in 2011. Poor record for a club of Milan’s caliber.
However, since the club was sold to Chinese businessman, Li Yonghong, the future has begun to look bright for the Italian giants. Leonardo Bonucci who is arguably the best defender in the world was signed to AC Milan from Juventus in what has been termed the “shock transfer of the summer”. The signing shows that the red half of Milan means business. They have signed 10 players and yet, they aren’t done. The club is still in the market for another marquee striker after signing Andrea Silva from FC Porto who has been hailed by Cristiano Ronaldo as his successor for the Portuguese national team.
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AC Milan has the best free-kick taker in Hakan Çalhanoğlu and one of the best right backs in Andrea Conti. It has also signed Midfield powerhouse Frank Kessie, who is seen as the next Yaya Toure and Lazio’s captain, Lucas Biglia.
They may not be world stars, but these players are well known by football pundits all over the world as quality and promising players. Their quality was put to test when they defeated Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich 4-0 in their pre-season tour in China.
Two new signings impressed on the night, as Frank Kessie and Hakan Çalhanoğlu names were on the score sheet in the 4-0 thrashing of Bayern. Milan fans went wild celebrating what they thought was a revival of the club they love so much.
Despite the signings AC Milan has made, football pundits are of the view that Juventus are still the team to beat in Italy. Time will tell if Milan is up to the task to give Juventus a run for the title.
