Eighth, tenth, seventh, sixth, sixth, fifth. These are Milan’s placings from 2013/2014 until October 2019. Then Stefano Pioli arrived. Having taken over as AC Milan coach after the disastrous spell of Marco Giampaolo who after the first seven matchdays had collected 9 points (only three victories) and after going through an initial period of settling in, the Parma coach, from after the lockdown onwards, has done change pace for the Rossoneri.
Career at Milan
The season following that of the pandemic, in its first full year with the Rossoneri, Milan were winter champions: in the second part of the season Inter would go out at a distance but the Rossoneri would return to the Champions League for the first time in seven years. A goal pursued for a long time by the club. The following year the European experience did not go very well, in a very tough group, but Milan won their nineteenth championship, the first since 2011. This is the most beautiful pearl of Pioli’s experience with Milan, so much so that Stefano got a tattoo of his tricolor on the skin. The following year, last year, the Champions League semi-final rosette, reached by the club for the first time since 2007: a goal made bitter by the elimination at the hands of Inter (who in any case did not lift the Cup) but exhilarating in the matches against Tottenham and Napoli. This year a new second place but a European flop, especially in the Europa League.
The latest lineup
Today, the (deserved) salute from San Siro to Stefano Pioli against Salernitana, trying to end his adventure with the Rossoneri in the best possible way. Maignan was injured in training on Thursday, dislocating the little finger of his left hand after a save. The European Championship is not at risk but he will be replaced by Marco Sportiello, as in the last four days. The defensive line will be the starting one with Calabria and Theo on the wings, Tomori in the centre: alongside the Englishman there should be Matteo Gabbia. In midfield the three-man line is proposed again with Bennacer, Reijnders and Musah. In attack the wingers will be Pulisic and Leao. The sole striker, for the last time at San Siro and eager to leave with a goal, Olivier Giroud.