What's Wrong with Milan?

These are tough times for AC Milan.

The former 7 time European champions and Italian champions as recently as 2011 have slumped to 11th on the table at present, a whopping 19 points behind runaway leaders, AS Roma.

The pressure on Massimiliano Allegri is massive with the Rossonneri's title challenge surely over for another season - their form right now is just too poor and inconsistent to mount a proper tilt at the Scudetto despite having the likes of former Ballon d'Or winner, Kaka and mercurial talismen, Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Sharaawy, amongst other star names in the squad.

Milan are badly missing their former soul, Massimo Ambrosini

Despite winning the Scudetto with Milan in 2011, Allegri's position at Milan has always been in some doubt and Milan just about scrapped through into the Champions League on the last day of the season last time around after languishing in mid table for much of the season. Milan's poor start to the season will surely raise more questions of a coach who has always wanted to retire early at age 55.

There is no doubt that Milan have one of the better squads in Serie A with only Napoli and Juventus on paper better than Milan. Therefore, it is quite baffling to see the Rossonneri so low down the Serie A table and well off the pace - their last opponents, Fiorentina who are pushing hard for a top 4 spot, beat them comfortably at the San Siro, days after Parma beat Milan 3-2 in Emilia-Romagna.

Mind you, maybe it is not so baffling when you consider the players at the squad - you wouldn't call Balotelli a player who brings unity to the squad. The midfield of Sulley Muntari, Nocerino and Nigel de Jong lacks the oomph that Roma and Napoli have and they are definitely missing the influence of long time Milan midfielder, Massimo Ambrosini - he may not have been the most talented player to play for Milan but he was still one of the most committed players to the red and black cause and with Paolo Maldini gone, was the last remaining link to Milan's glorious past.

Is Allegri the right man to turn around Milan?

Perhaps, Allegri's magic formula has run out and Milan need a change in management up the top - Milan are definitely not the side they were 2 years ago and good performances in the Champions League are really only peppering over very big cracks at the San Siro.

Clarence Seedorf would make a good manager if given the chance - he knows the Milan set up well and would know the players too. But the pressure will be immense - not just on the field, but off the field. Let's not forget that this is very much disgraced Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's club and perhaps Milan are being seen in quite a negative light.

Is Berlusconi's shadow over Milan far too big for the club to overcome?

Forza Milan. Probably no more.