Milan Make Stuttering Start to Season Against Sampdoria

In the wake of the opening round of games in Serie A, AC Milan's new signing Riccardo Montolivo admitted that he was surprised to have lost his first league game for the club (via Football Italia). “I would have expected a different result for the first game of the season,” said the native of Caravaggio in Bergamo.

But despite Montolivo's expectations, it won't come as a complete surprise to the Milan faithful. 

The high-profile losses in personnel suffered by the Rossoneri have been well documented in the offseason—not only the transfers of top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and talented defender Thiago Silva, but also the departures of veterans Gattuso, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Nesta, Zambrotta et al—and there has been some scepticism that those drafted in to replace them are not of the same calibre. 

Nevertheless, a start to the season at the San Siro against a Sampdoria who are not the attacking force they were two seasons ago held the possibility of easing tensions a little. Having lost the game, failed to score and already lost ground to main rivals Inter and Juventus, any previous apprehension at Milanello will have increased tenfold. 

The main impact of this result, however, is not the loss itself—Manchester United lost their first game, but few expect them to be out of contention for major honours—but more this Milan side's lack of potency in front of goal.  

Last year saw an increased reliance on Ibrahimovic's 35 goals to drag out a result where one was not merited, and while it would be unfair to expect the same kind of contribution from either El-Shaaraway or Pazzini, Milan will have to be more varied in their play if these goals are to be spread around the team. 

The upside, as it has been for much of the past year, is the continuing progression of Kevin-Prince Boateng. He will need to make an extra step again this year if he's to become the world-class player Milan need, but he looked the most likely to save Il Diavolo in the dying moments of the game. His contribution will be key this year—with or without a certain Ricky Kaka.