A Progress Report on AC Milan's Squad Entering March International Break

March has not been kind to AC Milan. No one month has this season, really.

A win here and there is not enough for a club vying for a European spot, but that is exactly what Milan have accomplished. They have not won more than two games at a time, and their only Serie A victories in 2015 have come up against the relegation sides.

Currently in eighth place, the Rossoneri have just 10 games left to make a push. They are eight points behind the last European spot. They have this international break to gather their composure.

Just five Milan players have been called up to their national teams, so most of the team will have the time to train together, play a friendly (against Reggiana on Wednesday) and rest up.

Each part of the team has something to fix, not least coach Filippo Inzaghi. Let's assess each position ahead of the international window.

Goalkeeper

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Diego Lopez has started 11 of 12 games in 2015, reclaiming his starting spot from backup Christian Abbiati. The 33-year-old has been one of Milan's most consistent performers. He averages more than three saves per game, and those saves are usually not so easy.

"

Diego Lopez at Madrid: Had picnics every game. Diego Lopez at Milan: Fighting and holding on to dear life. -NS

— Milan Brothers (@ACMilanBros) March 16, 2015"

Life for Lopez at the back is busier at Milan. The defence concedes 14.2 shots per game, according to WhoScored, giving the Spaniard a much harder time than he had at Real Madrid the season before.

He is not the reason why Milan have dropped points in recent matches. If anything, he has kept Milan from losing even more.

Defenders

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The defence has been an issue all season. Despite trying out 12 different centre-back partnerships, Inzaghi still has not found the right defensive combination.

Injuries to Alex and Adil Rami and a suspension to Philippe Mexes have disrupted any chance of finding a good rhythm. Still, no matter who is at the back, they make the same mistakes. Milan can't defend against set pieces or headers or counterattacks—or hold a lead, for that matter.

Still, they don't give up a truckload of goals. They are ninth in goals allowed with 35 in Serie A. It is not a complete disaster. But most of the strikes they give up are preventable, and that is all the more maddening.

Midfielders

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Injuries have also wreaked havoc on the midfielders. Their most important engine, Nigel De Jong, has missed several games over the past two months, and his absence is always noticeable.

But Riccardo Montolivo has lost even more games. He is the team's biggest creative reserve. Milan struggle to find goals in open play without him on form.

Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien are also in and out of the lineup, although they tend to surrender key chances when they are on the field. Muntari alone has cost Milan three goals with turnovers (including a penalty) in his last two appearances for the club.

Two other players have emerged from the rubble. Marco Van Ginkel is finally looking comfortable in midfield, playing passes from a withdrawn position while also pushing forward when the chance comes.

Andrea Poli, too, is now a permanent fixture in the midfield three, and he is among Milan's most-used outfield players.

Forwards

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Mattia Destro may lead the attack, but Jeremy Menez is the one scoring. The Frenchman has 15 goals on the season—half of them penalties and half of them highlights.

The 24-year-old Destro was supposed to offer a bigger presence in the penalty area, but he has not been able to get enough touches on the ball. He has only 1.4 shots per game with Milan, according to WhoScored. He is not a consistent threat, and he has admitted that he is still adapting to the team.

The biggest worry is Keisuke Honda. The Japanese has not been the same since returning from the Asian Cup. Too slow on the ball and too easily dispossessed, Honda has lost that killer touch that allowed him to score six goals in the opening quarter of the season. He has lost his way under Inzaghi.

Coach

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Coach Inzaghi has not injected any confidence into his team, and Milan's performances show it. They have dropped 21 points this season from winning positions—by far the largest total in Serie A. They are too fragile with the lead.

Inzaghi has said that he sees "their hunger, the work and the spirit" in training, but it is obvious that this team hits the field unprepared. The players repeat the same mistakes for a reason.

His selections are also confusing. Youngsters like Suso continue to ride the bench, and a lot of his substitutions come late in the game. It is poor game management, and it is the reason why Milan are not higher in the standings.