AC Milan’s list of targets for the 2024-25 season is getting shorter by the month, as the disappointing results continue to flow.
As Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) writes this morning, fourth place and therefore qualification for the next Champions League is now just a mirage, while qualification for the other European competitions through the league is anything but easy to achieve.
This, in this final part of the season Milan have practically only one way to earn a spot: to win the Coppa Italia and thus obtain a place in the Europa League 2025-26. For this reason, tomorrow night’s derby against Inter in the first leg carries great importance.
The Rossoneri are undefeated this year against the Nerazzurri (two wins and a draw), but the Milan of the second half of the Napoli game will be needed, and certainly not the one seen in the first half of the game. Otherwise, thinking of being able to advance to the next round becomes pure utopia.
After his inexplicable initial benching at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Rafael Leao will return to the starting line-up and will have to drag the team. Santiago Gimenez should also start, who is certainly not going through an easy period given that he hasn’t scored in a month and a half and missed a penalty in Naples.
If the season ended today, Milan – who are ninth in the standings – would be out of everything, so lifting the Coppa Italia would not only mean winning a trophy, but also and perhaps above all earning a place in the next Europa League. It is not the Champions League, but is better than nothing.
Once the season is over, for the Rossoneri it will then be a summer of reconstruction because this year has been quite disappointing. The first decision to be made will be the new sporting director (Fabio Paratici remains in the front row ahead of Igli Tare), then the new coach will be chosen.
Finally, there will be a strong and competitive squad to build. In short, there is work to be done, but first this season must be finished in the best possible way.
