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August 15, 2024
New AC Milan coach Paulo Fonseca faces a significant challenge in bridging the 19-point gap to Inter. What can we expect from the Rossoneri in the 2024/25 season? Here’s the complete preview
AC Milan’s primary goal for the 2024/25 Men’s Serie A season is to bounce back after a challenging campaign under Stefano Pioli. Last year, the team struggled to mount a credible title challenge, exited the Champions League in the group stage, and missed the opportunity to reach the Europa League semi-finals after losing to AS Roma.
Following a second consecutive trophyless season, Pioli was dismissed and replaced by Paulo Fonseca, who joined from Lille after weeks of speculation, including names like Julen Lopetegui, Roberto De Zerbi, and Antonio Conte.
Fonseca is expected to implement changes across the board, beginning with the team’s playing philosophy. The former Roma manager favors a possession-based style, aiming to cultivate a squad comfortable on the ball rather than relying on counterattacks. His main challenge will be integrating Milan’s new signings swiftly and effectively.
Milan’s transfer strategy this summer could have been more straightforward. Initially, the club focused on signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. Still, his move fell through due to his agent’s hefty demands. As a result, the Rossoneri pivoted to Alvaro Morata, who returned to Serie A for a reasonable €13 million.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic now serving as an advisor to the ownership and management, the focus shifted to strengthening the defense. Strahinja Pavlovic was brought in from Red Bull Salzburg to solidify Fonseca’s backline. Additionally, after extended negotiations, Milan secured a deal for Tottenham’s Emerson Royal, who is anticipated to be the coach’s preferred right-back.
Aside from Olivier Giroud’s departure, there have been no significant exits. In fact, Milan is reportedly exploring several options to bolster their midfield depth in the closing weeks of the transfer window.
While AC Milan’s tactical approach is expected to evolve under Fonseca, he is likely to maintain the 4-2-3-1 formation that Pioli used.
Key players such as Theo Hernandez, Christian Pulisic, and Rafael Leão are expected to remain central to the squad. Still, the Portuguese manager will prioritize integrating the new signings.
Emerson Royal is anticipated to replace Davide Calabria at right-back, offering enhanced quality in build-up play and attacking contributions. Meanwhile, Strahinja Pavlovic is set to become a regular starter alongside Fikayo Tomori in defense.
After impressive performances during pre-season, Samuel Chukwueze is poised for increased playing time compared to last season. However, he will face tough competition for a spot in the attacking trio behind Alvaro Morata.
As it stands, AC Milan’s predicted first-choice line-up for the 2024/25 season is as follows: Maignan; Emerson Royal (Calabria); Pavlovic, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Reijnders, Bennacer; Pulisic (Chukwueze); Loftus-Cheek, Leão; Morata.
After making his Serie A debut as AC Milan’s head coach against Torino on August 17 at the Stadio San Siro, Fonseca will face a challenging third matchday with an away game against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on August 31, just before the international break.
However, that match’s significance pales compared to the Derby della Madonnina, scheduled for September 21/22. This marks the third consecutive season that this high-stakes encounter falls on the same matchday. Given Milan’s struggles against Inter, having lost five straight matches in 2023 and one in 2024, this derby presents immense pressure for Fonseca and the players.
Following the derby, Milan will host more crucial fixtures, taking on Juventus on October 30 and Napoli on November 24 (dates to be confirmed). An away match against Juventus in late January will serve as a significant test for the team in the second half of the season.
The return fixture against Simone Inzaghi’s Inter will occur in early February, another critical month for Milan derbies in recent years.
Later in the season, Fonseca’s squad will visit Napoli’s Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on the last weekend of March. They will conclude their campaign with a home match against Monza on May 25, 2025.
As Fonseca implements his changes, time will reveal which players benefit the most from his approach. However, several stand out as particularly well-suited to his offensive style.
Strahinja Pavlovic and Fikayo Tomori possess intense physicality and excellent man-to-man marking skills, making them ideal for a team focused on aggressive play and quick ball recovery.
After a season of ups and downs, Tijjani Reijnders could thrive under Fonseca’s emphasis on maintaining possession. With a year to adjust, the Dutch midfielder is poised for significant development this season.
The speed and Samuel Chukwueze are special assets for the Rossoneri, especially with Alvaro Morata’s relentless movement opening spaces for them. Chukwueze has enjoyed a stellar pre-season, and like Reijnders, he has the potential to elevate his game this year.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Latest Football News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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