On Monza, Tare, Allegri And More
Quickly after the season ended with a 2-0 win versus Monza the team moved to confirm Igli Tare as sporting director and then circumstances quickly developed that made bringing back Allegri a reality. Antonio Conte reversing course at Napoli after seemingly snubbing the idea just as the Gli Azzurri were celebrating winning the 2024-2025 scudetto was one catalyst as was Vincenzo Italiano staying at Bologna. Allegri probably lost his number one choice and accepted a 2+1 year deal at Milan. This comes with the presumption that he has asked for and gotten greater influence in the transfer market. More on the summer possibilities below but first a bit about the week 38 match versus Monza.
Monza’s visit to the San Siro had both teams little to play for. After it was confirmed that a top eight finish wouldn’t mean skipping earlier Coppa Italia rounds the game was rendered as meaningless as a season finale can get. Bologna finishing 9th in the Serie A standings but winning the Coppa meant that they would get something akin to priority seeding for the 2025-2026 Coppa Italia so they would be the team to get a bye until the 1/16 round in December. With such a circumstance having a starting 11 with only one youth product in Bartesaghi was at least surprising. Leao and Theo on the bench was and is perhaps a foreboding for the summer transfer market. A first half with Musah on the right essentially meant playing without a right winger and the balls passed to the right were indeed wasted. Second half changes looked likely and inevitable as Camarda replaced Jovic and Chukwueze came in to provide some right wing presence in place of the aforementioned American midfielder. Camarda’s presence was quickly making a difference and was apparent in the Monza box. With the improved play Gabbia scored a classic header from a corner and later Joao Felix fouled near the top right of the Monza box immediately asked for the ball and his free kick beat Semuel Pizzignacco proving his instincts right. The Portuguese loanee was subsequently subbed off and it looked like his time at Milan is, as expected, at an end. Florenzi was given the last five minutes and is to be another player to say goodbye this summer. The game had a positive second half but Milan with a suspended and departing coach was carrying a lot of questions and was subject to an early (15th minute) walkout by the Curva Sud ultras. The lowest finish in a decade had set the stage for protests starting in front of Casa Milan with doom and gloom across social media and fandom.
The work began as soon as the dreadful 63 points season ended. The rumoured Tare contract talks culminated in the former Lazio chief and apparent Milan fan signing on and getting to work on a coaching choice. Allegri’s availability made his job clearer at least. The former coach accepted while Conceicao’s name was still showing on Milan’s official site.
As is normal for most teams – and it feels in particular Milan – rumours are never ending. One such note that started circulating well before season’s end was the possibility of one big name being sold to regulate team finances especially in light of missing all European action next season. A Tonali-esque sale would seem to apply to Reijnders as he became the subject of Manchester City rumours. The soon to be Kevin De Bruyne-less team are serious about the Dutch Serie A midfielder of the year. His 15 goals for Milan had caught the attention of many and with a good profit on his €20 million 2024 to be had a transfer seems likely if not inevitable. Whether or not Milan can maximize this profit remains to be seen but history doesn’t fill many fans with confidence. Most do and should prefer he stay but the player who only months ago extended his contract should cost €80 million or more.
Reijnders is not the only possible departure. Recent form, whispers and overall body language do not bode well for Theo and Leao. Early Tare and Allegri times seem to indicate that the former could be sold with some leaks that he is demanding a big salary bump supporting the feeling. His most recent form does not work in his favour but they do not work in Milan’s advantage either. Theo’s contact runs out next summer and the threat of another Bosman free transfers looms on Milan more than most teams. However, Leao is said to be wanted by the new sporting director and coach and may yet become the cornerstone of the team.
A Maignan extension seems to be on the agenda as well, seemingly requested by Allegri. Elsewhere on the pitch an Italianization remains on the cards. Torino’s Samuele Ricci being one oft mentioned name. Parma’s Giovanni Leoni is another very young player on the radar. His possible transfer might signal changes at the back.
Recent history has not shown it to be the case but this summer’s changes could signal a move towards promoting Milan’s own youth products and Camarda could be the start with the likes Bartesaghi, Liberali the primary and readier candidates. This would of course match up with the move towards a more Italian Milan. There is lots to work on in the departures department if there is to be any kind of revolution. Another year zero beckons with the likes of Loftus-Cheek, Sottil, Walker and others like Tomori candidates to leave the team.
Allegri’s most recent dour tactics and conduct while at Juventus has not made many Milan fans receptive to the idea of having the former scudetto winner back but his arrival is at least a step in the direction of creating a more predictable team. Where Fonseca and Conceicao failed is where Allegri can restore some semblance of order. Eleven coaches in eleven years is where Milan stand at now and reversing this trend is arguably one of the biggest needs.
This summer the team may take fuller shape earlier and that would be out of the norm for Milan. In any case the team will be contending with official games sooner than most seasons. A Coppa meeting with Bari in August and a World Cup coming next summer set up an early start to the new season.
Forza Milan