7M - How can Montella finish the rebuilding process in AC Milan?

Posted Saturday, January 07, 2017 by 7M Sport

After several years of mediocrity, it has been an impressive start for AC Milan under Vincenzo Montella this season. They ended 2016 on a high note as their penalty shoot-out victory over Serie A leaders Juventus for the Italian Super Cup saw them end a barren run without silverware over five years. Moreover, Milan will start the New Year in 5th place in the league table after the winter break, just two points behind the top three with a game to go. We haven't seen the Rossoneri fit in where they belong for a long time.

Since Massimiliano Allegri's departure in 2014, Milan welcomed four managers in the last two chaotic years. Clarence Seedorf, Filippo Inzaghi, Sinisa Mihajlovic and Cristian Brocchi, none of these players-turned-coaches can clean the mess and lasted over one season. And now, the Roma legendary striker - Vincenzo Montella seems to be the right person to lead his former rivals back to the right path.

So what exactly should Montella do so as to make the next 12 months a resounding success and even put the Serie A giants back to the pedestal?

Qualification to the Champions League at least

Milan have failed to qualify for Europe for three successive seasons. But now they look to secure qualification for the Champions League if they are able to build on their early success through the first half of the campaign.

With their young players though, some people doubting Milan's depth and quality to compete with Roma and Napoli across an entire season to topple one of them and seal qualification under the circumstance that Juventus seemingly set to clinch the top place once again.

Nevertheless, the current 5th team in Serie A have shown enough in the past few months to suggest that they will be serious contenders, and it would be a huge success for Montella to take his squad back to Europe's top flight after just one season in charge.

Montella has to continue to implement his philosophy

Building on the somewhat positive work of Sinisa Mihajlovic last season, Montella who previously had spells with Sampdoria, Fiorentina, Catania and Roma has carried on the process of making Milan a stronger team, while giving his side a more expansive style of play.

In the offense, the Milan full-backs push high, while the outside central midfielders will fall back, and they will make consistent use of specific passing patterns. Furthermore, their buildup revolves around short and patient circulation between the two center-backs and the midfielders. The Rossoneri will have time to find their attacking structure by using this method correctly, then they shift the oppositions' defensive shape from side to side and create space that could be exploited.

In the defense, Montella's Milan generally operate in a medium block. Since his appointment, it has been clear that the head coach instructs his team to use a low-intensity middle press. This combination allows that the space between their own defensive and midfield lines is relatively small. This vertical density is able to reduce the space to the oppositions when trying to play in and around the final third.

Compared to his predecessors, Montella instills a great amount of calmness and clarity on both ends. Still, he has a long way to go, but so far so good.

New contracts for key youngsters and new-comers

There is an excellent group of young talents at Montella's disposal, with the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alessio Romagnoli, Manuel Locatelli, Davide Calabria, and Suso proving their ability so far this season. Thus many top European clubs have taken notice of their performances. Milan have to keep this new generation of great talents intact by rewarding new deals to them.

On the other hand, the team is far too young. That isn't enough to achieve Serie A success when their direct rivals are way more experienced than them. In fact, none of these current players are Montella's initial choices, because this line-up was inherited from Mihajlovic. Undoubtedly, Montella will have more money to spend after the completion of Sino-Europe Sports takeover in March. Then he might attempt to emulate Inter Milan to bring in some stars who are really his favorites.

Only time will tell how big of a success Montella can bring to the San Siro.

(7M/Russell)