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Scouting AC Milan Transfer Target Milan Badelj
- Updated: August 3, 2016
AC Milan’s future remains unclear. Club president Silvio Berlusconi has spent much of the past few months in negotiations with a Chinese consortium over a potential takeover, though there has been no resolution yet.
The prolonged discussions, which have experienced several delays, are now threatening to skewer any potential transfer-market activity the Rossoneri may wish to undertake. This could undermine the rebuilding process being steered by head coach Vincenzo Montella.
While the takeover talks continue, Milan will have to self-finance any signings they make. And one target they have been repeatedly linked to is Fiorentina’s Milan Badelj.
So far this summer, the club’s additions have been in defence and up front; Argentinian left-back Leonel Vangioni and striker Gianluca Lapadula have arrived from River Plate and Pescara, respectively. With the midfield still in need of reinforcement, the Croat could be just the tonic.
For his part, Montella has not taken issue with the lack of transfer activity, telling reporters (h/t Football Italia): “We have clear ideas, I am in direct contact with the club. We know where we have to strengthen. I am not worried, I work with the players that I have available. I can’t lose time with hypothetical situations.”
The 42-year-old has now overseen three friendlies as Milan coach and has experienced varying results within that period. A 2-1 win over Bordeaux was a positive way to begin pre-season, and there was no shame whatsoever in the following 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich. The most recent fixture, against English Premier League outfit Liverpool, ended in 2-0 defeat.
However, results are not the main purpose of these friendly games. Primarily, Montella is using them to put work done on the training ground into practice. He wants to embed his footballing philosophy to the greatest extent possible before Serie A gets under way again on August 21 with a home game against Torino. And, judging by the team’s performances, there are promising signs in this respect.
In all three friendlies, Milan’s play has been noticeably different in two specific aspects: their approach to possession and in defensive transitions.
In the attacking phase, Montella’s side have shown a clear desire to build moves from the back. Incorporating the goalkeeper, the central defenders and the deep-lying midfielder, they have opted to try to resist pressure through short passes, movements and combinations as opposed to playing direct balls at the first sign of difficulty.
And, when transitioning to the defensive phase, Milan have often attempted to counter-press high up the pitch, getting men around the opposition …
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