Revised Expectations for AC Milan for Rest of 2015/16 Season

AC Milan are six points away from a top-three place in Serie A.

Thus, after 24 rounds of fixtures, they remain within reasonable distance of their initial objectives. Despite their inconsistencies and vulnerabilities, it is possible that the Rossoneri may return to Champions League football next season.

Sinisa Mihajlovic was appointed Milan coach prior to this campaign and was clear on the club’s intentions.

“Our goal is to finish inside the top three in Italy,” he told reporters (h/t Reuters). “It will be difficult…but we have also built a strong team.”

People have questioned the exact strength of Mihajlovic’s team at various junctures throughout the season. He too has been under constant scrutiny, brought about by a poor start that saw Milan lose four of their opening seven league fixtures.

Mihajlovic steadied the ship, but his side remained startlingly inconsistent. Even entering 2016, they remained open, losing 1-0 at home to Bologna.

However, a recent upsurge in form suggests that Milan may finally be finding their rhythm; that top-three ambition may not be beyond this squad.

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The improvement began with a draw away to Roma, who were also struggling at the time; indeed, that match would prove to be Rudi Garcia’s last in charge of the Giallorossi. It then continued with impressive home victories over Fiorentina and Inter sandwiching a draw away to in-form Empoli.

After another solid win, away to Palermo last Wednesday, Mihajlovic seemed to indicate he was looking up rather than down the league table.

“We are in the Europa League zone now,” he said to Mediaset Premium (h/t Football Italia). “Our objective is to take it one game at a time and see if we’re in a position to challenge for more.”

Milan’s own results have not been the only source of increasing confidence—the teams above them are faltering.

City rivals Inter have won just two of their last eight fixtures, picking up a total of nine points from a possible 24. Meanwhile, Fiorentina have picked up 14 points in the same period. For context, Milan have gained 15 points during this time.

Then there are the rising internal tensions within both the Nerazzurri and Viola camps.

Roberto Mancini seems to be wilting under the intense pressure of the situation. Not only was Inter’s coach sent off during the derby, but he has had difficulties with his star striker, last season’s Capocannoniere, Mauro Icardi.

According to Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), their relationship "hit rock bottom after [Icardi] was benched for the Milan derby."

Fiorentina are suffering from off-pitch issues of another kind, with coach Paulo Sousa complaining “in recent press conferences that he had been asking for a new defender since August,” per La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia).

With both Inter and Fiorentina stuttering, the only other serious contender Milan will face for a top-three berth is Roma, who recently appointed Luciano Spalletti following Garcia’s dismissal.

Roma have won all of their last three games under their new coach, and new signings Diego Perotti and, frustratingly for Milanisti, Stephan El Shaarawy seem to be settling well. However, the Giallorossi remain fallible, something shown in the second half of their Sunday night win over Sampdoria, where they limped over the line.

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While Roma won over the weekend, Fiorentina and Inter drew, but Milan failed to take advantage. The Rossoneri dropped two points at home to Udinese to blow their chance of narrowing the gap between them and third.

After the draw, Brazilian centre-back Alex told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia): “In many games against smaller sides we haven’t done well, so evidently we lack a bit of concentration in these matches.”

The result proved the inconsistency that has plagued the team throughout this season is still a problem. But with sixth place looking safer by the week, Milan should not feel insecure about aiming higher.

If Milan can cut out the complacency and become more clinical against those below them, they will find themselves well and truly in the race for third place.