Massimiliano Allegri Aims To Revive AC Milan With New Team Spirit And Ambition

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Massimiliano Allegri's return to AC Milan has been described as revitalising by defender Matteo Gabbia. After finishing eighth in Serie A last season, Allegri is tasked with rebuilding the team. His previous success includes winning the Scudetto in 2010-11 during his first tenure. Gabbia likened Allegri's impact to a "breath of oxygen" for the club, which has been echoed by other players during their pre-season tour in Asia.

The atmosphere within the team has notably improved, according to Portuguese winger Rafael Leao. He expressed confidence that Milan will function as a cohesive unit this year, highlighting the presence of key players who can make significant contributions. However, he emphasised that the team's spirit is its greatest asset.

Milan's pre-season results have been promising, with only a narrow 1-0 defeat to Arsenal marring an otherwise successful tour. They secured impressive victories, including a 4-2 win against Premier League champions Liverpool and a commanding 9-0 triumph over Perth Glory from Australia.

Following last season's underwhelming performance, Milan made significant changes to their squad. Notable departures include star midfielder Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City and exits of Theo Hernandez, Emerson Royal, and Luka Jovic. In response, Milan focused on youth recruitment.

New additions include midfielder Samuele Ricci from Torino for €23 million and Pervis Estupinan from Brighton for approximately €17 million (£14.7 million). These signings reflect Milan's strategy to rejuvenate their squad with young talent.

A notable exception to Milan's youth-focused recruitment is the acquisition of 40-year-old Croatian midfielder Luka Modric on a free transfer from Real Madrid. Modric is expected to mentor younger players while bringing his wealth of experience and winning mentality to the team.

Modric shared his vision for Milan: "We remember Milan as one of the best teams in the world. We must not be content just with a mediocre season or qualifying for the Champions League." He stressed the importance of humility and hard work in restoring Milan to its former glory.

Modric emphasised his competitive nature and desire to contribute positively: "The minimum objective is to qualify for the Champions League, but Milan must also fight to win trophies." He believes this ambition should be shared by everyone associated with the club.

Upcoming Serie A Campaign

Milan will begin their Serie A campaign on August 23rd against Cremonese at San Siro. Allegri aims to translate their pre-season optimism into tangible success throughout the season. The focus remains on achieving Champions League qualification while striving for silverware.