When Associazione Calcio Milan are at their best, so is football.
It feels as if centuries have passed since AC Milan‘s prestigious red-and-black stripes were relevant; winning Serie A in 2010/11, their five-year decline (marginal at first, then dramatic) has coincided with Juventus‘ rise to prominence and, in turn, something of an economic nightmare at the San Siro.
Only Real Madrid (10) have more European Cup/Champions League crowns than Milan’s seven, but recent years have made that history a stark reminder of how far they have fallen, not necessarily a beacon of hope.
Despite their present regression, though, the Rossoneri could be in the midst of a slight resurgence.
After losing four of their opening seven matches this season, manager Sinisa Mihajlovic has rebounded. In Milan’s last 15 Serie A fixtures, they have lost just two—both 1-0 losses to Juventus and Bologna. In 19th place after the first match, the former superclub are now sixth, and six points from Champions league qualification (just two from the Europa League).
Napoli and Juventus are in a competition for the Scudetto all their own, but the next four cubs (Fiorentina, Inter Milan, AS Roma and AC Milan) are playing a venerable game of musical chairs for the last Champions League place.
Fiorentina, Inter and Roma have led Serie A during this campaign for a collective of 14 matchdays, but they were either overtaken by the top two or simply imploded.
Barring a rampant Juve, Milan are arguably Italy’s in-form club, meaning the misery of others could lead to their fortune.
For nearly three seasons that formula has been reversed—other clubs have used Milan’s valley against them. Football, however, is a cyclical sport, so it stands to reason the San Siro‘s red half will return, many just weren’t expecting 2015/16 to be the season.
Handling Roberto Mancini’s Inter 3-0 in the Milan derby, Mihajlovic‘s men dismantled their in-town rivals with relative ease.
An Alex header, Carlos Bacca volley and M’Baye Niang finish—combined with a competent defensive performance—displayed the club’s growth since the season opener. The 3-0 result was Milan’s best overall performance in 2015/16, and it should foster confidence moving forward.
Milan’s next three league fixtures—the latter two at home—come against the current 14th (Palermo), 15th (Udinese) and 16th (Genoa) sides in the division. Nine points before their trip to Naples on 21 February would likely have the Rossoneri already in the Europa League places, with Napoli their largest test since losing to Juve on 21 November.
If the current pattern persists over the next three months, and Milan find themselves in the top three, the scope of world football will shift.
A massive club with staying power—and supposedly using their finances in a more responsible fashion—2016 might be the improbable, yet welcome, year Milan return to the precipice of European prominence.
Boasting legendary names (too many to list) from eras past, the current edition cannot compete with their former firepower, nor silverware output, but the carrot of Champions League football tends to attract world-class names who can start the process of continental domination.
If Mihajlovic gets the Rossoneri into the Champions League, the rest will take care of itself (provided ownership stewards the club responsibly).
AC Milan’s 3-0 trouncing of Inter is comforting in that regard, but there is still a mountain of food left to eat from this particular plate: namely 16 Serie A fixtures and 48 possible points.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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INTER CLUB PAVIA "C'E' SOLO L'INTER" 