AC Milan was once the dominant force in Italian football but faced years of decline before returning to glory. Discover the journey of the Rossoneri from downfall to redemption in Serie A.

The Fall and Rise of AC Milan in Serie A

AC Milan is one of the most successful and historic clubs in football history. The Rossoneri have won multiple Serie A titles, Champions League trophies, and have produced some of the greatest players ever. However, their journey has not always been smooth.

After years of dominance, Milan went through a decade of struggles, missing out on European football, suffering financial issues, and losing their competitive edge. But in recent years, the club has made a remarkable comeback, winning Serie A in 2021-22 and re-establishing themselves among the top teams in Italy.

How did AC Milan fall so hard, and how did they rise again? Let’s dive into their story of decline and revival.

1. AC Milan’s Golden Era: Dominance in Italy and Europe

A. The Berlusconi Era and Total Domination (1986-2011)

AC Milan’s greatest period began when Silvio Berlusconi took over the club in 1986. He transformed Milan into a superclub, investing in top players and hiring legendary managers.

Milan’s success in this era was incredible:

• Eight Serie A titles (1987-2011)
• Five UEFA Champions League titles (1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007)
• Superstars like Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, Kaka, and Andriy Shevchenko

Milan was the best club in the world. They dominated Serie A, won multiple Champions League titles, and played beautiful football under Arrigo Sacchi and Carlo Ancelotti.

B. The 2007 Champions League Victory: The Last Glory

Milan’s last great moment before their downfall came in 2007, when they defeated Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final, with Filippo Inzaghi scoring twice.

This was AC Milan’s seventh Champions League title, proving their status as European royalty. But nobody knew that this would be their last major trophy for a long time.

2. The Fall of AC Milan (2012-2020): Financial Crisis and Mediocrity

A. The Departure of Legends and Financial Struggles

After winning Serie A in 2011, Milan’s decline began. The club started selling key players due to financial problems.

• 2012: Sold Zlatan Ibrahimović and Thiago Silva to PSG
• 2013: Alessandro Nesta, Gennaro Gattuso, and Clarence Seedorf retired
• 2017: Sold Gianluigi Donnarumma to PSG and lost more top players

Without their star players, Milan lost their dominance. They struggled to replace these legends, signing cheap or average players instead of world-class talents.

B. Missing Out on Champions League Football

From 2014 to 2020, Milan failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for six consecutive seasons.

Their league finishes were disappointing:

• 2014-15: 10th place
• 2015-16: 7th place
• 2016-17: 6th place
• 2017-18: 6th place
• 2018-19: 5th place
• 2019-20: 6th place

For a club with seven Champions League titles, this was a shocking fall. Milan was no longer feared in Italy or Europe.

C. The Managerial Chaos

During this dark period, Milan went through multiple managerial changes, hiring and firing coaches almost every season.

• Massimiliano Allegri (2010-2014)
• Clarence Seedorf (2014)
• Filippo Inzaghi (2014-2015)
• Sinisa Mihajlovic (2015-2016)
• Vincenzo Montella (2016-2017)
• Gennaro Gattuso (2017-2019)
• Marco Giampaolo (2019)
• Stefano Pioli (2019-present)

Without stability, the team never had time to build a proper playing style.

D. Financial Fair Play (FFP) Sanctions

Milan’s ownership problems also contributed to their downfall. In 2017, Chinese businessman Yonghong Li bought the club but failed to provide financial security. Milan was later taken over by Elliott Management, an American investment group.

UEFA banned Milan from European competitions in 2019 due to Financial Fair Play violations, making the club’s situation even worse.

3. The Rise of AC Milan: The Road to Redemption (2020-Present)

A. Stefano Pioli and the Return to Champions League (2021)

In 2019, Milan appointed Stefano Pioli as manager. At first, fans were skeptical, but Pioli slowly built a strong, disciplined team.

With key signings like Theo Hernández, Ismaël Bennacer, and Simon Kjær, Milan finished second in Serie A in 2020-21, securing their first Champions League qualification in seven years.

B. Zlatan’s Return: The Leadership Milan Needed

One of the biggest turning points was the return of Zlatan Ibrahimović in January 2020.

At 39 years old, Zlatan was still a world-class striker and, more importantly, a leader. His winning mentality inspired young players like Rafael Leão and Sandro Tonali.

C. The 2021-22 Serie A Title: Milan’s Comeback is Complete

The 2021-22 season was Milan’s greatest comeback story. They fought against Inter Milan and Napoli for the title, and on the final day of the season, they became Serie A champions for the first time in 11 years.

Key players in the title-winning season:

• Rafael Leão – The best player in the squad, winning Serie A MVP.
• Mike Maignan – A top goalkeeper who replaced Donnarumma.
• Theo Hernández – One of the best left-backs in the world.
• Fikayo Tomori – A rock in defense.
• Olivier Giroud – Scored key goals in big matches.

With young talent and experienced leaders, Milan returned to the top of Italian football.

4. What’s Next for AC Milan?

A. Can Milan Dominate Serie A Again?

Milan has a young and talented squad, but maintaining dominance will be difficult. Teams like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Napoli are also strong competitors.

B. Champions League Ambitions

Milan is back in the Champions League, but can they win their eighth title? The club still needs more world-class signings to compete with teams like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.

C. New Owners, New Future

In 2022, Milan was sold to RedBird Capital, an American investment group. This could mean more financial stability and better transfers.

Final Thoughts: AC Milan is Back Where They Belong

AC Milan’s fall and rise is one of football’s greatest stories. From being European champions to mid-table mediocrity and then returning to the top, the Rossoneri have proven their resilience.

Now, the question is:
Can AC Milan stay at the top and dominate Serie A again?

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