Can We Dream of a 4th Place Finish? Uncovering Striking Parallels with Ancelotti’s Milan: A Tale of Hope

Is it truly fanciful to entertain the idea of AC Milan earning a spot in the Champions League? History has shown us that the Rossoneri have managed to claw back from similar six-point gaps before. The Dawn of a New Era We’re harking back to the 2001/02 season, a time that bears striking resemblances to the present campaign. In both instances, these are seasons marking a fresh chapter in Milan's storied history. Back then, they transitioned from a turbulent era under Alberto Zaccheroni—who had led them to an unexpected Scudetto amid two dismal prior seasons—to a new beginning. The Romagnolo coach didn’t even see out a full third season, ending with a caretaker phase featuring Cesare Maldini and Mauro Tassotti. Milan opted for a tactical foreign coach with Italian experience: Fatih Terim. This closely mirrors the situation with Paulo Fonseca—a tactical foreign coach with prior experience in Italy—who was brought in after Stefano Pioli’s impressive title win against the odds. Turning Points Both Fonseca and Terim started with a challenging 2-2 draw, coming from behind. Milan found themselves two goals down in Brescia before a second-half revival from Brocchi and Shevchenko. This season’s team also equalised late, with Morata and Okafor securing points against Torino. A derby victory ignited a transformation, just as Terim’s boys had triumphed over Hector Cuper’s Inter 4-2. However, both coaches experienced the harsh reality of the job; Fonseca was dismissed in late December, while Terim left after just ten matches. A Bleak Midwinter Overlooking the Supercoppa, both Conceiçao and Ancelotti stumbled during their league campaigns with disappointing home draws against relegation-threatened sides. In Milan's case, they faced a dismal run, losing three consecutive league matches. Ancelotti’s team endured a similarly difficult start to 2002, invoking the anguish of fans as they went from the 18th to the 23rd round without a victory. Striker Struggles This season’s troubles are mirrored in the struggles of forwards like Motata, Abraham, Jovic, and Leao, who, along with Gimenez, have failed to deliver. The 2001/02 season saw a stricken Inzaghi sidelined, leaving Shevchenko struggling after a promising start. The Comeback Ancelotti’s side faced a grim reality at sixth place, six points adrift of Bologna in a compact league setup. Yet hope sprung eternal as Milan had a game in hand, unlike their predecessors who were outright chasing. The team then found a stride, stringing together three victories, defying expectations even amid draws and a defeat. A crucial penultimate match against Verona catapulted them into fourth, sealed by a decisive win over Lecce. Will this season’s Milan emulate that formidable comeback? - Resource: "https://www.milannews.it/primo-piano/4-posto-possibile-quante-analogie-col-milan-del-primo-ancelotti-il-precedente-che-fa-sorridere-570758