When you walk into a club with the history and prestige of AC Milan, the expectations come with the territory. That's exactly the mindset Igli Tare, the Rossoneri's director of sport, is bringing to the table this season.
"It is our duty to have the Scudetto as an objective," Tare stated emphatically in a recent interview with DAZN Italia. For a club that has won 19 Serie A titles, nothing less than the top spot should be the goal—and Tare isn't shying away from that pressure.
Having spent years as a sporting director at Lazio after his playing career ended, Tare took a sabbatical before joining Milan last summer. The transition, he admits, has been significant. But one thing that makes the job easier? The pull of the famous red and black stripes.
"With the name Milan, it's easier to convince players to join compared to when I was at Lazio," Tare explained. "It's both for the history of the club and the financial capability."
No player exemplifies that magnetic pull better than Luka Modric. The Croatian legend, who grew up as a Milan fan, made the move to San Siro this season—a dream come true for a player who could have chosen any club in the world.
"I knew that Modric was a Milan fan when he was a kid," Tare recalled. "When we met and talked about the project, I saw he really knew a lot about the club. He had other offers, but wanted to make his dream come true of playing for Milan."
Unfortunately, Modric's dream season has been cut short by surgery on a fractured cheekbone, sidelining him for the remainder of the campaign. With his contract expiring on June 30, questions about his future are already swirling. But Tare remains optimistic.
"I think he will choose with his heart and remain at Milan."
As for life on the pitch, Milan are on track for a third-place finish and Champions League qualification under the guidance of coach Max Allegri in his first season back at the helm. Tare has nothing but praise for the experienced tactician.
"I have a very good rapport with him. We met at the start of the season, then didn't have a lot of time to get to know each other better, but after the transfer window shut we managed to have some dinners together. He is a very intelligent person."
With the Scudetto as the stated ambition and a blend of history, financial muscle, and football intelligence driving the project, Milan are making it clear: they're not just participating in Serie A—they're aiming to dominate it.