AC Milan: 5 Reasons Why Title Retention Looks Tough

Last season, Massimiliano Allegri's AC Milan were crowned Italian Serie A champions. With Internazionale having retained more or less the same squad from a dominant Jose Mourinho-influenced period, this turned out to be a very impressive feat.

But then when you look at their squad, it transpires they do possess some of the very best players in the world.

So have they been experiencing some elements of a sleeping giant? Well, yes.

Having won Serie A by six points last season, they hadn't been close to glory in several preceding years. The most recent win of Serie A was 2003-'04, and they still haven't won the Coppa Italia since 2002-'03.

So what changed last year?

Its difficult to put your finger on it, but the presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic always helps. He's won the league every year with his club since 2006-'07. Inter suffered, Juventus really suffered and Roma underperformed.

Napoli, Udinese and Lazio stepped up a notch and, since this summer, saw the big guns reinforce. This season promises to be neck-and-neck.

Lets take a look at some of the major reasons why Massimiliano Allegri will face a really tough challenge this year. 

1. Andrea Pirlo Is Gone

AC Milan's devoted midfielder servant and superstar for the last decade has gone.

Coming to the end of his contract, he decided to seek pastures new and sign for Juventus on a free transfer.

He is widely regarded as one of the best Italian players ever to have played and still performs at a high level.

A set-piece specialist with an incredible passing range, he would sit deep in Milan's midfield as a deep-lying playmaker and dictate the game like a true general.

It is one thing to lose him, but to lose him to a rival in Serie A is bad news for Milan.

They have acquired the services of Antonio Nocerino, whom many hope to be the next Italian mediano star (see this article) in addition to the loan of Alberto Aquilani—the defamed Liverpool dropout—in the hope of replacing him.

No matter whom they acquire, however, life will be tougher without Pirlo.

2. Internazionale Remain Intact

Despite a truly turbulent summer, Internazionale's squad is intact, bursting with talent and ready to go.

The biggest talking point is the retention of Manchester United target Wesley Sneijder, but they've made a few additions that give them the edge in terms of personnel quality.

Having lost Samuel Eto'o to an eyebrow-raising deal, signing Diego Forlan as a replacement is as good as it gets.

The Copa America 2011 winner will slot in alongside Diego Milito, and once again Inter have formidable firepower.

A few other signings of note look good for Inter, as Andrea Poli and Mauro Zarate both look astute loan deals, while youngsters Jonathan and Alvarez are excellent recruits with high potential.

3. Napoli Rising

Aurelio De Laurentiis' Napoli had a stunning season last time around and have done several things right this summer.

Not only are they in the group stage of the Champions League, they have kept star players on board, having convinced them the future is bright.

In addition to loaning Goran Pandev and signing Gokhan Inler, they have retained the services of Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

A very impressive job done by head coach Walter Mazzarri, whose side represents a very real threat this season. 

4. A Resurgent Roma

AS Roma have recruited promising young manager Luis Enrique to head the team, and while there are no results to judge him on yet, he has produced a seriously impressive summer of transfer activity.

Bojan Krkic. Simon Kjaer. Miralem Pjanic. Fernando Gago. Maarten Stekelenberg. Jose Angel.

This is not your average transfer window's dealings, and the former Barcelona B coach has impressed with his ability to spot some talent and negotiate a deal.

Young managers are always intriguing to watch. Since Enrique, a former Barcelona hero, has been under the shadow of Pep Guardiola for three years, it remains to be seen if he's picked up any tips.

5. Resurrection of the Old Lady

After suffering a seriously disappointing season last term, Juventus will be out to regain some pride.

Having finished seventh and therefore possessing no European football to worry about this season, they can focus solely on the league.

Antonio Conte is another promising young manager I will watch with intrigue. He has also made some good dealings.

Andrea Pirlo has already been mentioned, but add to him the likes of Eljero Elia, Mirko Vucinic, Arturo Vidal and Fabio Quagliarella—well, your seeing a pretty decent team being formed.

Still in possession of the formidable Giorgio Chiellini and versatile star Claudio Marchisio, the new signings (should they adapt and gel efficiently) will make the Old Lady a real force again.