In the summer transfer window, Milan were among the most active clubs on the market.
Following last season’s modest 10th place finish, the Rossoneri not only resorted to the change of coach but they also spent big to assemble a competitive side to challenge for a top-three position.
However, reality is proving to be a totally different thing as Milan only managed a paltry nine points from the first available 21 so far.
It seems the side do not have half measures – either they win (vs Empoli 2-1, Palermo 3-2 and Udinese 3-2) – or lose (vs Fiorentina 0-2, Inter 0-1, Genoa 0-1 and Napoli 0-4).
In their first seven outings, Milan never kept a clean sheet and with 13 goals against, they have the second worst defensive record in the Serie A. Only newcomers Carpi conceded more goals than Milan – 16.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side failed to score in all their four defeats and their three wins came against modest opponents who currently lie in the bottom half of the table.
If these figures are anything to go by, then it seems crystal clear that the much-travelled Mihajlovic has yet to find his feet and the ideal players for the right positions.
Defensive-wise Milan leave much to be desired. The midfield is not offering adequate protection to the rearguard which is being exposed on too many an occasion. That is why Milan have a suspect, and not solid, backline.
New signings Alessio Romagnoli, Andrea Bertolacci, Juraj Kucka, Luiz Adriano, Mario Balotelli and Carlos Bacca have yet to leave their mark.
Colombian international striker Bacca scored three goals in seven appearances whereas Adriano only managed one in seven outings. The headlines-hitting return of Balotelli did not leave as bad an impact as many had predicted though his contribution has been minimal.
Perhaps the biggest disappointments came from Romagnoli and Bertolacci.
In summer, Milan forked out €40m to sign them from Roma.
But, strangely, both have not lived up to expectations, in particular Romagnoli, touted by many as the new Alessandro Nesta.
Last year, while playing for Mihajlovic’s Sampdoria, Romagnoli established himself as one of the best defenders in the league.
But this season, the former Italy U-21 defender has been a pale shadow of himself, failing to justify why Milan paid Roma so handsomely to acquire his signature.
In many aspects, the fiery Mihajlovic is also proving to be a let-down on the San Siro bench.
Many expected the former Serbia midfielder-cum-defender to be the right coach to transform Milan’s fortunes. But reality is proving otherwise as Mihajlovic has yet to find the right equilibrium for his side.
Time to recover
I think Milan should give their coach enough time to find remedies to the team’s maladies, in-cluding a blunt attack – just eight goals in seven games.
After all, an initial bumpy period of transition until the new players settle in was always a possibility for a team with so many news faces.
For sure, Milan now need to tackle a game at a time and not set over-ambitious targets that could add pressure on the coach and players. At present, Milan are nine points adrift of early pace-setters Fiorentina and six behind third-placed Lazio.
With 31 games to go, they surely have ample time to recover lost ground.
If, by the time the January transfer window gets underway, Milan are still be in touch with the main contenders, they might have an extra incentive to add one or two players to Mihajlovic’s squad.
Milan are down but not out. Mihajlovic has a combative character and he will not throw in the towel very easily.
The squad is strong but the team is way off where they want to be. Whether the club and fans are ready to give Mihajlovic more time to prove that the team can do well this season, however, is a different matter altogether.