Roberto Mancini: ‘Milan clubs can win Serie A title’

All four new players are expected to get a run out against Inter on Saturday as the visiting clubs use the worldwide Champions Cup to intensify their pre-season conditioning programmes. Where once the prize names of the game flaunted their skills in the quest for top honours, now only journeymen jostle for fleeting plaudits.

Sinisa Mihajlovic is under no illusion about the enormity of the task at hand as he plots to turn around the fortunes of fallen Italian giants AC Milan.

Now they are rebuilding to try and rekindle the glory days at the San Siro, the stadium they share in the city. Siniša Mihajlović’s men won that game handily, 3-1, behind a double from midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura and a goal from former striker Giampaolo Pazzini, who was transferred to Hellas Verona this offseason, via SkySports.

And on a pre-season tour of China, Mihajlovic said he was under no illlusions about the work.

“There’s a lot of anger [about the club’s situation] but we have to improve in every aspect”, Mihajlovic said Thursday. “Most important to improve is the sacrifice and the intensity we have for each other”. Real Madrid will be AC’s next opponents at the Shanghai Stadium on 30 July.

Milan have brought in Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano and Andrea Bertolacci, while the Nerazzurri have strengthened with Geoffrey Kondogbia, Jeison Murillo, Miranda and Martin Montoya. Milan are looking to bounce back after a awful season last year and they will need a couple of more signings in my opinion if they are going to compete in the league again. We’re working to complete our attacking options.

“The club can evaluate if any more reinforcements could be needed. It’s hugely important for our fans here, and for us it’s important to keep getting minutes under our belts”.