AC Milan clinched a top-four position in Serie A at the end of last season to qualify for the UEFA Champions League after eight years. In the 2013-14 season, Milan played the Champions League, when Kaka, Mario Balotelli, Keisuke Honda, Nigel de Jong and Philipe Mexes were in the squad. AC Milan betting odds will increase when they qualify for UCL in the coming seasons consistently.
But the happiness did not last long as they were knocked out of the Champions League this season in the group stages. They finished fourth in Group B. Their opponents in that group were Liverpool, Atletico Madrid and Porto. Their performance was poor in the group stages. They were only able to grab four points as they won and drew two matches, respectively. They lost all the other four games. AC Milan could not even qualify for the Europa League as they finished with one point less than Porto.
So, after getting knocked out, one thing was clear for AC Milan and their manager Stefano Pioli: they need more time and experience to compete at the top level in European competitions. They might be performing well in Serie A, but when they face the top teams from other leagues, they cannot compete well with them. Currently, the Rossoneri are 2nd in the Serie A point table below their rivals Inter Milan with 38 points from 21 games. Just one point behind the leaders.
The matches against Liverpool in the Champions League showed what they lacked and what needs to be improved to compete at a top-level. They lost the two games against the Reds. They started the game well. But they could not turn the game around at the required time to grab all the points. Liverpool did it perfectly with their players who have vast experience in European football. In the second match, the same situation arose. AC Milan scored the first goal, but they could not defend the opponent’s attacking game, which affected them. A win would have taken them to the Round of 16 for the first time in eight years.
The seven times Champions League winners have shown the signs of improving, and in the coming years, they will always be present in the top European competition.
AC Milan will generate more revenue as they are now showing consistency. They had a significant financial gain of about 30 million euros after qualifying for the Champions League this season. They could gain an additional 20 million based on their performances in the group stages and further. Milan will get 15 million euros as a participation bonus, 7.5 million as their distribution share.
