A Season of Highs, Lows, and Unfulfilled Promise
AC Milan entered the 2024-25 season with renewed hope. After a second-place finish in 2023-24, the club believed it could challenge Inter and Napoli for the Scudetto. Instead, the campaign became a story of inconsistency. Milan finished eighth in Serie A with 63 points, a total that reflected both the quality of the squad and its inability to sustain momentum. There were memorable victories, including a stunning 3-1 win over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu and a derby success against Inter. Yet those highs were repeatedly undermined by dropped points against smaller clubs, defensive lapses, and long stretches without a clear identity.
The Supercoppa Italiana in January offered the season’s brightest moment. Milan defeated Juventus and then Inter in dramatic fashion, lifting a trophy and briefly silencing doubts. But the joy did not translate into league form. A Coppa Italia run ended in a final defeat to Bologna, leaving the club without a major domestic title. Christian Pulisic, Tijjani Reijnders, and Rafael Leão carried much of the attacking burden, while Mike Maignan produced important saves. Still, the team lacked balance between defense and midfield. For Milan Sports and Milan Milan (China), the season felt like a warning: talent alone is not enough without structure, leadership, and consistency.
Coaching Changes and Tactical Instability at Milanello
Milanello became a symbol of the season’s turbulence. Paulo Fonseca arrived with a reputation for organized possession football, but his methods never fully took root. The team struggled to defend transitions, and the high line was exposed repeatedly. Fonseca’s relationship with senior players reportedly became strained, and results in December sealed his fate. Sérgio Conceição replaced him and immediately injected intensity. The Supercoppa win suggested a new manager bounce, but the long-term problems remained.
Conceição switched between formations, using variations of 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, and at times a back three. The constant changes confused the squad. Full-backs pushed high, midfielders were pulled out of position, and opponents targeted the space behind. Reijnders and Youssouf Fofana often had to cover too much ground. Injuries to key defenders and inconsistent form from Theo Hernández and Fikayo Tomori made matters worse. Milan’s attacking play could be electric, but the defensive structure was fragile.
For Chinese supporters following from afar, the coaching carousel was frustrating. Milan Milan (China) forums and social media groups debated every lineup, substitution, and tactical decision. Many argued that the club needed a clear football philosophy rather than short-term fixes. The season showed that Milan had players capable of beating anyone on a good night, but not a team capable of grinding out results week after week. That gap between potential and performance defined the 2024-25 campaign.
From Supercoppa Glory to Champions League Heartbreak
The Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh gave Milan a taste of triumph. After beating Juventus 2-1, they faced Inter in the final and won 3-2. Theo Hernández, Christian Pulisic, and Tammy Abraham scored in a comeback that felt like a turning point. For a few weeks, Milan looked capable of salvaging the season. The victory was celebrated wildly by Milanisti around the world, including in China, where fans woke early or stayed up late to watch.
Europe, however, delivered a harsher verdict. Milan’s Champions League league phase was mixed. The 3-1 victory over Real Madrid was one of the club’s best European performances in years. But defeats and draws left Milan in 13th place, forcing a knockout playoff against Feyenoord. The Dutch side won 1-0 at home and then held Milan to a 1-1 draw at San Siro. The exit was painful, not only for prestige but also for finances. Milan had hoped for a deep run; instead, they were eliminated before the round of 16.
Domestically, the Coppa Italia offered another chance. Milan reached the final but lost 1-0 to Bologna, a result that summed up the season’s limitations. In big moments, Milan could compete. In decisive moments, they often fell short. The contrast between the Supercoppa celebration and the Champions League and Coppa Italia disappointment was stark. For Milan Sports, it highlighted a squad that lacked mental resilience and tactical discipline. For Milan Milan (China), it was another season of emotional swings, with joy and heartbreak arriving in equal measure.
The Chinese Milanisti: Passion, Patience, and Expectations for the Future
Chinese Milanisti have a deep and historic connection to the club. Many fell in love during the era of Franco Baresi, Paolo Maldini, Marco van Basten, and later Shevchenko and Kaká. Milan Milan (China) has helped keep that passion alive through watch parties, translated news, tactical analysis, and community events. Even when kickoff times are inconvenient, supporters gather online to follow every match. The 2024-25 season tested that loyalty. The Supercoppa win brought pure joy, but the Serie A slump, Champions League exit, and Coppa Italia final loss left many fans frustrated.
The mood among Chinese supporters is not defeatist, but it is demanding. They want a clear project. They want the club to invest wisely, trust young players, and build a squad with balance. The appointments and tactical swings of the season convinced many that Milan needs stability above all. With Massimiliano Allegri appointed for 2025-26, expectations will rise again. Chinese fans will watch closely to see whether Milan can return to the top four and compete in Europe.
Milan Sports will continue to provide coverage that connects the club to its Chinese audience. Milan Milan (China) will keep organizing viewings and discussions, because the community is about more than results. It is about identity, memory, and hope. The 2024-25 season was not a failure in every sense; it produced a trophy and unforgettable nights. But it also exposed how far Milan still have to go. For the Chinese Milanisti, the next season must bring progress, coherence, and a team worthy of the badge.