Much like Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, Vincenzo Montella will be able to claim he has achieved some key objectives in his first season in charge at AC Milan despite what could be described as an unspectacular campaign with a 6th place finish. Like Mourinho, he has delivered silverware for his new club even if it's not any of the major trophies that AC Milan are traditionally fond of winning. A penalty shoot-out victory over Juventus just before Christmas in Doha brought the Rossoneri the Italian Super Cup - their first trophy since 2011. He also got the club back into Europe, where they belong, after three barren years. He did it all under the backdrop of constant off-field distractions which included a lack of real investment in the transfer market and a Chinese takeover which saw the long reign of former president Silvio Berlusconi eventually come to an end after a protracted saga. On the pitch, Milan's start to the season promised excitement as a 3-2 opening day win over Torino was quickly followed by a 4-2 defeat at Napoli. Their form stabilised towards Christmas culminating in that famous Super Cup victory which was their second success over Juventus of the season and fans were dreaming of at least Champions League qualification at the turn of their year along with perhaps more cup success as they reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia. However, Juve got their revenge there and again in the league in March to leave Milan struggling to clinch a Europa League spot. They eventually stumbled over the line into 6th place mostly due to the dreadful form of their bitter rivals Inter who finished a point behind them. Suso and January arrival Gerard Deulofeu were exciting performers from the flanks for the Rossoneri but it was teenage goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who bailed them out on a number of occasions with some imperious displays between the sticks.
