The Europa League could be AC Milan’s saving grace

AC Milan are in no good state right now. Want a quick run down? Yeah, let’s start off with a lightning quick summary of the current situation.

• Milan have suffered some pretty big defeats in the past 28 days.
• Vincenzo Montella’s future is unstable.
• Champions League qualification looks like it is light years away.
• Oh, and the Chinese Government could wreck us at any moment.

Rosy right? And yeah - we just lost in big style in Inter Milan, who are cruising high right now.

However, there is one solution. Apart from a shaky game with Rijeka, AC Milan have performed to a pretty decent standard in the UEFA Europa League. What does this tournament offer? You guessed it - a pathway into the Champions League for the victor.

Now, that’s not to say that Serie A performances are not important, they mean everything - but Milan should not treat their Europa League campaign as some kind of side project - especially when it might be their only way to qualify for Europe’s premier competition.

AC Milan will not get far if another shake-up happens. Montella has his flaws, but Milan could hire a poor replacement. Leo Bonucci could very well overthrow and rebel - as he has done in the past. Milan might change owners within 12 months. Milan are not in a stable situation, but good performances in Europe could be a saving grace for a team in dire need of a light right now.