Owner Silvio Berlusconi on Friday
set new AC Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic the minimum target of
getting the Serie A giants to qualify for the Champions League
next season.
"It's a categoric imperative for Milan to return to the
Champions League next year," Berlusconi said that the press
conference to present Mihajlovic.
The seven-time European champions finished a lowly 10th in
Serie A last season, a long way from the European qualifying
slots, under Mihajlovic's predecessor Filippo Inzaghi.
Berlusconi said Serbian Mihajlovic, who led Sampdoria to a
seventh-place finish last season, "has all the necessary
characteristics to take Milan back to the level it belongs to".
Mihajlovic should have a stronger team to work with than
Inzaghi did.
On Thursday the club announced two big signings, forwards
Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano.
The Italian giants reportedly agreed to pay a figure close
to the 30-million-euro buy-out clause in Bacca's contract with
Sevilla to land the services of the 28-year-old Colombia
striker, whose goals help the Spaniards win the 2014 and 2015
Europa League.
Milan also wrapped up a deal for Brazil forward Luiz
Adriano, whose contract with Shakhtar Donetsk runs out at the
end of the year.
Milan have bought midfielder Andrea Bertolacci, who has
three Italy caps, too and Berlusconi confirmed Friday that they
are interested in bringing back Sweden striker Zlatan
Ibrahimovic from Paris Saint-Germain.
After years of taking a prudent approach on the transfer
market, Milan are looking to land big names, with an injection
of cash thanks to Berlusconi's recent agreement with Thai
businessman Bee Taechaubol to sell a 48% stake in the
club for around 500 million euros.
On Friday, however, Berlusconi stressed that Taechaubol's
money has not arrived yet and that he has financed all the
transfer moves so far this year.
"Milan have always been a side to be feared and I want
that Milan side back," said Mihajlovic.
"I want my Milan team to instil fear in other teams. We
will be like our motto, a team of devils, red like fire and
black like the fear we will instil into our opponents.
"I am convinced that we can achieve good things this
season".
Berlusconi has a reputation for giving orders to Milan
coaches on specific footballing decisions, but Mihajlovic said
he had no fears about speaking his mind to the three-time
Italian premier.
"I am not afraid of exchanging ideas with anyone. The
president (Berlusconi) is the best person to explain what Milan
means and what Milan is all about," Mihajlovic told reporters.
"It is a privilege for me to talk about football with him
and exchange opinions. But that will remain between us".
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