Milan, Van Bommel appears for the post-Pioli team

The only positive side of the derby for Milan was the presence of Gerry Cardinale who, in the hours before and immediately after the match, was able to speak live with Ibrahimovic and Furlani. The bad news (in addition to the result and everything that followed from it) is that the Rossoneri number one has already left for the United States. He could have stayed to plan for the future, after all Milan will be divided into two teams between now and the end of the season: the one under Pioli which must finish in second place (Juventus on Saturday at 6pm); and the one under the (remote) orders of Cardinale who must lay the foundations of the reconstruction, in the knowledge that the Champions League is virtually acquired. The priority is the choice of the new coach, even if Pioli retains a minimum of hope of being confirmed (alternatively he knows he can become De Laurentiis’ favorite for Napoli). Milan did not move forward on any candidate because Conte and, if desired, Sarri, the two on whom they could do it, do not warm the hearts of the owners: too cumbersome. Cardinale is asking for an internationally balanced, emotionally balanced coach who embraces a medium-long term project. The philosophy is the same with which the club conducted the first post-Maldini transfer market in the summer: prospective players who have frequented European cups, not necessarily established and successful players.

FAVORITE
The favorite was Emery but Aston Villa promptly announced the renewal of the coach who is leading the Champions League until 2027. Lopetegui, after being appointed, was also rejected without reservations. Xavi? He is not convincing due to too many complaints in public and the ominous early farewell to Barcelona. There is no speeding up on Thiago Motta in the attempt to overcome Juventus because he does not have an easy character, exactly what the owners want to avoid. Here are the three names on the table at the moment: Conceicao, Fonseca, who however is an authoritative candidate for Marseille and therefore has some competition, Van Bommel. The latter is doing well for Antwerp in the Belgian championship – first last year plus the Belgian cup and super cup, third in this one and is one of the names proposed by Ibrahimovic, his teammate in the year of the penultimate scudetto at Milan.

LAUNCH RAMP
As well as being young (47 years old) and on the launch pad, he finds the affection of the public, so he would be welcome. The Italians (Italiano, Gilardino, Palladino) are considered the last resort. If they arrive, it will be because Milan will have failed to hire all the foreign candidates. However, surprises cannot be ruled out should some good names be sacked from their club. Who? Pochettino from Chelsea or Rose from Leipzig. Two that fully respond to the identikit, but on which we can now at most work in secret. Just as it is done on the player market, for which Furlani has meanwhile anticipated the strategy: no longer a restructuring but a refinement of what has been done. The idea is to make 4-5 signings in weak roles, no more. One is the tip given Giroud’s farewell: Sesko (20 years of Leipzig), Gimenez (23, of Feyenoord), Zirkzee (22, of Bologna), David (24, of Lille), the candidates in order of preference, but also in price (from 65 to 30 million). Then the market will focus on a central defender, a right back and a midfielder, necessary regardless of the coach chosen, perhaps by making money with Bennacer and, in the event of an offer, Maignan.