Falling 5: European giants with dwindling domestic statures

#1 AC Milan

As things stand, Milan's way back on top seems a long way off

There has not been a more prominent fall from grace story than AC Milan's tale. Eighteen-time Serie A winners, seven-time Champions League winners, the Rossoneri have both seen and been at the pinnacle of World Football for a long time. The fall, however, has more gradualness to it.

Bad transfer dealings, constant backroom changes and squad unrest have all hampered Milan's seasons in the past. The last seven seasons have been awful, especially for a club which, for a number of years now has been accustomed to winning. The club has almost succumbed to mediocrity with just two top-four finishes in the last seven seasons.

The inconsistency though is not something that has just come into the club domestically. Carlo Ancelotti managed the Rossoneri for eight seasons, where his side were a force to be reckoned with in European competitions. The scenario in the domestic competitions, however, was completely different. One league title in eight seasons does somewhat demean Ancelotti's reign at the club. A competent side who were just found to be inconsistent week-in-week-out. Thus consistency in the club with regards to the Serie A has been there for some time now.

Just two league titles since the turn of the century has been a disappointing return for Milan. Especially from a side that has for most parts of the century been glittered with stars. Milan's poor domestic run in recent years has meant that the club have not played in the UEFA Champions League since the 2013/14 season now, a competition where they've done extremely well. AC Milan is certainly not the giant it used to be, possibly another case of panicking into changes when things didn't work out. Milan are currently struggling and will take some effort to get them out of this situation.