ROME — The lacking piece for AC Milan in its decade-long quest to return to glory — and monetary stability — may show to be a 34-year-old striker who hasn’t performed in practically a 12 months.
Mario Mandžukic’s signing this week is tantamount to a press release of title intentions.
Hitherto having maintained that its purpose was returning to the Champions League after a seven-year absence by securing solely a top-four end, Milan now seems firmly set on profitable Serie A.
And standing three factors away from metropolis rival Inter Milan nearing the season’s mid-point, why not?
It’s simply that having exceeded expectations all season — for all of 2020 truly, or since Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned final January — it’s been a gradual course of when it comes to constructing the idea {that a} title run is feasible.
Juventus has dominated Serie A for 9 consecutive seasons and Milan has completed no higher than fifth over the previous seven years.
Whereas hedge-fund proprietor Elliott Administration has for probably the most half prioritized signing youthful gamers on the rise with shiny monetary prospects, Mandžukic is a veteran scorer in search of one final flip within the highlight.
“The historical past of Milan tells us to be formidable and get again to the place we ought to be,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli stated. “His arrival goes in that course. … He’s an additional weapon.”
Mandžukic is aware of Italian soccer, having scored 44 targets in 162 appearances for Juventus earlier than spending final season in Qatar with league champion Al-Duhail. He may carry out as a reserve for the 39-year-old Ibrahimovic or play along with the Swede in a supporting function.
“There can be two of us to scare the opponents now,” Ibrahimovic stated.
Milan can also be reportedly in talks to signal centre again Fikayo Timori from Chelsea and left again Junior Firpo from Barcelona, with midfielder Soualiho Meïté not too long ago loaned in from Torino.
“We’re virtually midway via the league and now the video games are beginning to be harder,” Ibrahimovic stated after scoring each targets in a 2-0 win over Cagliari on Monday. “It is going to be a really powerful season. However now with Mandžukic and Meïté — and I don’t know if others will arrive — we could have extra gamers out there for the coach to rotate in.”
By profitable Serie A, Milan may seize thousands and thousands extra in Champions League cash from UEFA — funds which can be desperately wanted to offer aid from monetary honest play sanctions that resulted in Milan voluntarily withdrawing from final season’s Europa League.
Mandžukic may make his Milan debut towards Atalanta on Saturday, with the crew needing just one level to safe the largely meaningless midway title.
Then he could possibly be of much more use three days later in a derby with Inter within the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
“Wanting on the schedule there can be some rotation as we’ll have to protect power, not run dangers or have too many accidents,” Pioli stated. “Having some further selections is necessary. I’m pleased with the membership’s selection.”
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Andrew Dampf is at https://twitter.com/AndrewDampf
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