CFO Takes Stage [Bonus Podcast]

The SempreMilan Podcast's bonus episode delivers a stark assessment of AC Milan’s financial and competitive decline, arguing that the club’s current struggles stem not from lack of ambition but from a failure to follow the proven model of clubs like Bayern Munich: success on the pitch drives financial sustainability, not the other way around. The hosts dissect Bayern’s recent financials—978 million euros in revenue, 187.8 million in profit—and emphasize that their record sales (like De Ligt, Lewandowski, and Pavard) were not sacrifices of stars, but strategic, profitable exits. In contrast, Milan’s squad value sits at around 485 million euros—closer to Brighton and Brentford in the Premier League—highlighting a massive gap in spending power and long-term planning. The episode critiques Milan’s recent transfer strategy as reactive and underfunded, especially after missing Champions League qualification, and warns that without a disciplined 'speculate to accumulate' approach—buying undervalued talent with high upside—Milan will remain stuck in a cycle of underperformance. The hosts suggest that this summer could be a turning point, with potential investments in experienced players and young assets to rebuild squad value and competitiveness. The episode underscores a painful truth: Milan’s fall isn’t just about results, but about systemic underinvestment and poor long-term financial strategy.