Resurgent AC Milan looking to the future with renewed optimism as they bid to honour their storied past

The Rossoneri need help to return to the Champions League on Serie A's final weekend but positivity is abound at a club who believe they are on their way back

Milan are a club on their way back to where they believe they belong (AFP)

At a sun-drenched Milanello, a relaxed Paolo Maldini and Leonardo embrace at the gates, perhaps shielding the pressure from within. A starry-eyed AC Milan are currently gazing up at the top four, sat a point outside as the finale to this thrilling battle arrives on Sunday.

The Rossoneri have endured a turbulent run in recent years, forgotten by many at the top table of European football as Juventus tightened their grip on their Serie A monopoly. But after last summer’s takeover, a glint of light shone through at the San Siro. These are still testing times for one of Europe’s great clubs, but with the esteemed Maldini back, the arduous task of clearing up this mess is well underway.

One of the leaders in the dressing room, Pepe Reina, refuses to shirk this side’s obligation, telling The Independent they must “take Milan back to where it belongs”. The glittering history of this club means this group will struggle to earn comparable affection enjoyed by past champions, but the Spanish goalkeeper, who joined from Napoli last year and is currently understudy to Gianluigi Donnarumma, understands the significance of Champions League football.

“It is a different club structure (to Napoli). It’s a massive club, with different sporting targets, we all want to keep growing Milan’s identity,” he adds. “We want to become one of the best teams in Europe again and to do that we need to play in the Champions League next year”.

Reina emphasises the requisite qualities for this team to do so: “honour, passion and commitment”, doing so with a glance at the badge on his sleeve, which symbolises the seven European crowns that have come before him.

A single point separates Gennaro Gattuso’s side from their goal, with surprise package Atalanta and eternal rivals Inter - themselves clambering back to the top with expansive plans of their own, which may include former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte - currently in front.

With Milan travelling to SPAL, who are remarkably safe once more, Atalanta hosting Sassuolo and Inter entertaining Empoli, a knockout is needed entering the final round.

Roma, currently in a state of turmoil right now, are somewhat forgotten in this equation, but remain alive. After Daniele De Rossi was cruelly discarded, they are at the point of needing snookers with three points separating them and the lack of a superior head-to-head record against any of their rivals. For Claudio Ranieri to conjure up another miracle, Milan must lose, Inter likewise, and there be a six-goal swing in the goal difference column.

Like Ranieri, Gattuso may be managing his final game before a summer exit, with his fate unmistakably linked to a fortuitous series of results this weekend. He would be wrong to assume respect earned on the field as a player will garner a favour from Maldini, who has vowed to remain “cold” when making a decision over his future.

It has not all been all struggle for Milan though, no matter Sunday’s outcome, with former Arsenal chief Ivan Gazidis helping to organise matters off the pitch behind the scenes. They squirmed out of the disastrous Gonzalo Higuain deal, cleverly hampering Chelsea with the Argentine problem, instead welcoming Polish revelation Krzysztof Piatek in January from Genoa.

Pepe Reina is aware of the pressure to deliver Champions League football (Getty)

Reina insists the team are being patient with him, having cooled off since a scintillating start to life in black and red. After seven goals in six games, it has been just five in the last 14 since. But the vital opener against Frosinone last weekend snapped a six-game drought and inspired a third successive victory. Reina now expects Piatek to “grow up” as he continues to realise his potential, with the next step in the Champions League.

They may not be in control of their own destiny entering a compelling final day in Italy, but the ingredients are at least there to awaken this sleeping giant.

“We have to keep working and we all have to be responsible,” Reina emphasises. “We have an obligation to what Milan’s history says and what it means.”