With a clear victory on the field of Sassuolo (3-0), the Rossoneri put an end to the tremendous suspense which accompanied this year the Italian championship: they concluded their season in a sprint with 16 matches without defeat in a row - only one setback on the return phase - and are two points ahead of the Milanese rival, Inter, victorious over Sampdoria (3-0).

Rather than Juventus, sent back to its first season without a title for eleven years, than Inter, defending champion with the best squad on paper, or than Naples, still stuck in the Maradona era, it is therefore this Reborn Milan with a strong French accent (Giroud, Maignan, Hernandez, Kalulu among others) who won the day.

The last title of Italian champion of "Diavolo" - nickname of the club in Italy - dates back to 2011.

The club still belonged to Silvio Berlusconi, the one who made it a giant of European football for 30 years (1986-2017), with stars - Maldini, Van Basten, Pirlo, Gullit, Rijkaard, Weah, Shevchenko, Seedorf -, du offensive play and titles galore.

Olivier Giroud scored the second goal for AC Milan in Sassuolo, May 22, 2022 Filippo MONTEFORTE AFP

But since then, the star of the Rossoneri had faded, the coaches had succeeded at a frenetic pace, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, present for the 2011 title, had probably not recognized the Milanese club when he returned in January 2020 .

Maldini's Vision

But "Ibra" flourished in a role of link between this great forgotten Milan and the new one which was looking for itself, by sheltering under its broad shoulders a new generation of players like Théo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Franck Kessié, Sandro Tonali...

The now forty-something will have been the relay on the field and in the locker room of coach Stefano Pioli, who arrived on the bench without a record at the head of a drifting team in October 2019.

Ibrahimovic repeated day after day that Milan - a club with seven Champions Leagues - should aim for the title and nothing else.

No way for him to rejoice in the second place obtained last year, even if it allowed the club to find the Champions League after a break of eight years.

And he ended up convincing everyone!

Here is Milan again champion, joining the winners of the 19 coronations of Inter!

Sporting director and ex-AC Milan icon Poalo Maldini upon his arrival for the match in Venice, January 9, 2022 Marco BERTORELLO AFP/Archives

In addition to the weight of "Ibra", another experienced striker, Olivier Giroud, 35, will have greatly contributed to the company with, in addition to his capital double on Sunday, his two goals in the derby in February (2-1).

Inter, morally touched, then stalled a bit as they raced towards the title.

This rossonero triumph is also that of Paolo Maldini, hailed for his clever and visionary recruitment, focused on youth, in a role of sports director assumed in June 2019 after the departure of Leonardo.

Sale in sight?

The legendary ex-defender of the club embodies continuity with the golden era of European triumphs - he won five C1s on the lawn - in a club now flying the American flag.

Elliott Management, an American investment fund, took over AC Milan in 2018 somewhat by chance, because its previous owner, Chinese businessman Li Yonghong, had been unable to repay a loan.

This fund has never made a secret of the fact that its objective was a medium-term resale, once the accounts have been cleaned up and sporting credibility regained, which will have been done in just four years.

The time could therefore have come for Elliott to make its investment grow (EUR 740 million since 2018, according to the Italian press) by selling this club, which has become attractive again for supporters and sponsors alike.

The club is the subject of "two offers" of takeover, had recently indicated the president Paolo Scaroni.

The potential buyers are, according to several media, an investment fund based in Bahrain, Investcorp, but also the American investment fund RedBird Capital Partners.

All for an amount that would exceed one billion euros.

despite the victory against Sampdoria at San Siro, Inter Milan remain 2nd in Serie A on May 22, 2022 MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

Beyond the club itself, these investors would be interested in the new stadium project - synonymous with increased ticketing revenue - which the two Milan clubs have been working on for several years.

While waiting to turn the page on the aging San Siro, which could experience its swan song during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

© 2022 AFP