In a rare bright spot amidst a difficult season, AC Milan put the brakes on would-be Serie A champions Juventus' title coronation. Against the odds, Milan beat their arch-rivals from Turin 4-2. This was a victory made even more impressive by the fact that the Rossoneri overcame a 2-0 deficit to do so. Zlatan Ibrahimović, Franck Kessié, Rafael Leão, and Ante Rebić all scored within an 18-minute goalscoring explosion to give Milan the win. Milan also overtook Roma in the chase for an automatic spot in next season's Europa League.
This season has not been an easy one for Milan by any means. Before the season even began, they were disqualified from this season's Europa League due to financial violations which they had committed. This was then followed by an off-season transfer window in which they spent large sums of money; however, in spite of the large transfer fees paid, the team was not significantly improved. Milan also experienced the departures of key pieces such as Tiémoué Bakayoko, Patrick Cutrone, and Riccardo Montolivo, among others.
A slow start to the season followed, resulting in the firing of head coach Marco Giampaolo. He was replaced by Stefano Pioli. However, Milan would remain far adrift of the Champions League spots throughout the season. There was also discord in the front office when chief football officer and former San Siro fan favourite Zvonimir Boban was unceremoniously fired. His dismissal came on the back of scathing remarks made against the club's CEO, Ivan Gazidis.
To top it all off, the club's home province of Lombardy was among the most affected areas in the world during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic. The most notable name associated with AC Milan to contract the disease was club legend and current technical director Paolo Maldini. His son Daniel, who is currently a Milan player himself, was also a victim.
However, despite all the adverse circumstances which have taken place, this most recent victory can be used by Milan as something of a roadmap for their current team towards regaining their former glory.
When compared to previous matches this season, Milan played with a great deal more vigour and aggression against Juve. Is it possible that part of the reason for this lay in the fact that they were playing against a historic rival? Perhaps, but that doesn't discount the fact that their approach to this match starkly differed from their approach to prior matches. During the second half in particular, Milan throttled the Bianconeri with an avalanche of rapid-fire attacks and a high tempo of play. They also picked up four yellow cards to Juve's one; however, one will easily live with that outcome if the other outcomes are generally positive, as they were in this case. Rebić and Kessié in particular flourished against Juve; this approach might serve Milan well going forward as well.
Another factor which has caused an uptick in Milan's recent level of play has been the arrival of Ibrahimović at the San Siro. In January 2020, the Swedish veteran returned to Milan for a second stint. During his previous time there between 2010 and 2012, Ibrahimović had two of the best seasons of his remarkable career. Ibrahimović scored 42 league goals in 61 appearances and helped Milan win the Serie A title in 2011.
It's true that eight years and one torn ACL later, Ibrahimović is no longer close to the athletic marvel who once struck fear into the hearts of almost all opposing defenders. However, "Ibra"'s veteran presence and experience has helped galvanize this team and elevated its overall performance. Should the 38-year-old Ibrahimović choose to call time on his career at the end of this season, it might even be in Milan's best interest to retain his services, whether in a coaching, advisory, or any other role within the club.
AC Milan can rightly regard themselves as one of the most storied football clubs on the planet. However, this club has become a fallen giant which is currently experiencing its most difficult stretch in many years. Nevertheless, there is clearly a blueprint for them to return to the top. The only question remaining is if it will come to fruition and restore AC Milan to its place as one of the world's leading football clubs.
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