4 Biggest Reasons for AC Milan Optimism

Milan is in line to finish this season third place in the standings. A forgettable first half of the Serie A campaign is the reason why they aren't giving Juventus a more competitive run at the top for the Scudetto.

However, optimism shrouds Milan as the Rossoneri have a renewed faith in the organization, as a clear rebuilding project is underway.

Here are the top four reasons for Milan's optimism.

A Young, World-Class Attack

Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy will continue building their chemistry together as one of the hottest young duos in world football, while youngster M'Baye Niang is still fine-tuning his craft.

Apart from these three stars, poacher Giampaolo Pazzini gives Milan a different look up front. New signing Riccardo Saponara from Empoli will join the team in the summer and can play as a right winger, as well as behind the strikers.

This is by far the strongest part of Milan's starting XI and will only continue improving with time.

Same Formation Throughout the Milan Ranks

The 4-3-3 formation has been instilled throughout the Milan youth ranks at the Milanello. Their youth sector will only play with this formation, as well as the pulcini.

This move ensures a standard for tactics for a team desperately trying to revive a youth sector which has produced some of the finest footballers we've ever seen.

Youth

It's that simple.  Look across the squad and you'll see one of the youngest sides in all of Italy. More importantly, these players are either world-renowned or getting there. 

Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy, and M'Baye Niang make up 60 years between them, and the recent teenager Mattia De Sciglio is one of the most promising defenders in Italy.

Apart from this, creative midfielder Bryan Cristante was given a five-year contract and looks to be another creative force aside from Riccardo Montolivo in the center of the park.

See why Milanisti are getting excited?

Marketable Superstars

Perhaps this reason isn't directly linked to actual play on the pitch, but it surely does help with the way Milan is known and received worldwide.

Since Mario Balotelli was labeled as one of TIME Magazine's 100 most influential people in the world, it's easy to see what a good thing this can be for the Rossoneri.

Super Mario is by far one of the most recognized and known faces in world football, and his name being associated with a Milan shirt not only sells kits, but attracts a new generation of fans.

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