The Japanese have a saying, Nanakorobi yaoki. Lousy translated into English it becomes: Fall seven times, stand up eight! Life of recent has been dreadful for Milan as it has fallen more than seven times – 11 times has it fallen- and that is if we were to limit the defeats to the league. Nothing has panned out right for the Rossoneri in the 2013/14 season.

Alarmingly, it is not a regression to the mean; it is a geometric progression to oblivion. Not even the Totonone Scandal or the Calciopoli Rigmarole can undo the present mess’ scale. Though Totonone relegated AC Milan in the 1980s and Calciopoli ducked eight points before a ball was kicked in the noughties, the present nose-dive is self inflicted. And all the more damning because it was avoidable!

Just like Formula One is taking a mortified peek at one of its current issues –“silent engines”- before the present season angst gets out of hand, Milan should have taken a look at its transfer policy before it went out of hand.

Except Juventus, Roma, Napoli and others lose their heads between today and the end of the season, there is no chance of Milan gracing the European state come the 2014/15 season. Telling blows -without a doubt- have been dealt it this season but that is the nature of a season. A mortal blow will be if AC Milan fails to regain its pedestal or is relegated. But just as Juventus, Roma and Napoli won’t lose their heads; Milan will also aim to keep its own.

But it will be hard. A long recovery stares Milan in the eyes.

A string of poor board room decisions, massive exodus of tired legs, and a weak financial state has led the once successful club to a state of inertia. Milan is one of the most successful clubs in Italy, having won 29 major trophies, though its last silverware was in 2011. Together with Boca Juniors, it’s the most successful club in the world in terms of international trophies won but how Clarence Seedorf, an ex-player that was engaged this past January, hopes to reconcile the past with the present state of the clubs remains a daunting task.

The club will have to be smart with its new project, the right players will have to be bought but most importantly, patience would be key. The new project may still take a couple of seasons before it bears fruit. Doubt remains whether players like Kaka, Robinho and Balotelli will be long term partners in the project in a team where others players are still trying to understand its identity.

Seedorf, coach of the San Siro outfit was forced to declare that his team, the one he faithfully served as a player is now a lost cause as after their recent defeat, a mystifying 4-2 rout, was met at the feet of an Amauri and Casano inspired Parma. Parma was coached by another Milan ex-player, Roberto Donadoni. Earlier before the game, some sections of the fans, Ultras in the lead, had taken time out to protest in front of the stadium. Much of the ill-feelings were directed to Adriano Galliani, its chief executive and Mario Balotelli.

After the defeat, Ultras blocked the team bus and only left the scene when some of the players came down and appealed to them. It is that bad.

Seedorf noted that the season is lost no thanks to their defeat on Sunday but was quick to stress that he was committed to returning the club back to reckoning next season. The Dutchman has had a difficult time turning the fortunes of the club around since replacing erstwhile coach, Massimiliano Allegri. With Milan sitting 11th on the table after 28 games, it truly looks like a lost cause after three consecutive Serie A loses.

With clubs like Juventus waxing stronger with its third title right on course, AC Milan and Seedorf will need something of a miracle to really challenge for the league title next season.