Luka Modric, Christian Pulisic, and Santiago Gimenez discover themselves on the coronary heart of a very historic second for Milan. The membership has decided that has surprised followers and historians alike, as Milan has damaged a convention that dates again greater than 100 years. This unprecedented change marks a shift within the membership’s id, sparking debate over whether or not it’s a courageous step towards the longer term or a dangerous departure from its heritage.
The transfer is available in a season the place new supervisor Massimiliano Allegri has turned to tactical innovation, generally fielding Rafael Leao or Christian Pulisic as a false 9, whereas Gimenez adapts to life as Milan’s first-choice striker. The consequence has been a Milan facet that appears totally different — and for the primary time ever, one with out its most symbolic jersey quantity.
In accordance with La Gazzetta dello Sport, that is the primary season in over a century that AC Milan is not going to have a No.9 in its squad. Following Luka Jovic’s departure on the finish of the 2024-25 season, the Rossoneri declined to signal or assign the shirt to any participant.
Historically, the No.9 was the hallmark of Milan’s goal-scorer, worn by legends like George Weah, Patrick Kluivert, and Filippo Inzaghi. However lately, the shirt has develop into a burden, with a string of strikers failing to reside as much as expectations. “Milan’s failure to safe a middle ahead means the membership, for the primary time in 100 years, has been with no participant worthy of sporting the quantity 9 shirt,” wrote Gazzetta.
Giroud throughout his time at Milan
The record of No.9s since squad numbers grew to become everlasting in 1995 reads like a mixture of glory and disappointment. Filippo Inzaghi’s 11-year stint from 2001 to 2012 stays probably the most iconic, however since his retirement, names like Matri, Torres, Destro, Luiz Adriano, Andre Silva, Higuain, Piatek, and Mandzukic all didn’t make the quantity their very own. Solely Olivier Giroud’s regular three-season tenure broke the so-called “curse.”
Allegri’s tactical response
As an alternative of speeding to interchange Jovic with a brand new signing, Allegri has taken a unique method. Santiago Gimenez will put on the No.7 shirt; Leao the No.10; and Christian Pulisic the No.11, whereas Christopher Nkunku, Milan’s late signing from Chelsea, has taken No.18.
What was as soon as a coveted shirt has develop into a supply of tension. From the Fifties to the Nineteen Nineties, the No.9 was synonymous with Milan’s dominance, worn by names like Gunnar Nordahl, Altafini, Sormani, and Marco van Basten. Nevertheless, within the final decade, the quantity’s status has soured. “There was once a aggressive race to put on it, there now appears to be a worry of taking it on,” Gazzetta says.
