End of Days

Officially gone is the beloved/hated tradition of Galliani Day™. It used to be that the last day of the mercato belonged to him. Long gone are his “Fine as we are” declarations. No more “There are three days of the Condor, and I always strike.” Now our mercato is decided largely at the beginning of the transfer window, and fans are not left starving for improvements. So this transfer window officially marks the end of days… or at least the end of Galliani Day™.

His practices were more than a little archaeic

Milan 2, Cagliari 1: Finding Milan

Rome was not built in a day. More importantly, AC Milan did not become AC Milan overnight. We’ve all talked about what rebuilding would be like and how long it might take, and our new management have certainly sped that timeline up by purchasing so many quality players. But it’s still going to take some time. And we saw that vs. Cagliari. It wasn’t the greatest game. But the team are finding themselves. And finding Milan.

Who says we had no quality last year?

Milan-Cagliari Gamepost: Bringing Football Home

The stadium is ready. The fans are ready. The team is ready.

Milan-Cagliari Preview: Home Sweet San Siro

Cagliari are like the foster child that everyone looks at with pity. They started their season away to Juventus and now have to travel to the San Siro to face Milan. Ouch. Meanwhile, Milan fans are anxiously awaiting the chance to welcome their team at home. After a record breaking Europa League qualifying attendance of 65,000 fans, season ticket holders are waiting to see their newly revamped team at the San Siro. Sorry, Cagliari. This season is not smiling kindly upon you. But for Milan fans, we are thrilled to host anyone in our renewed fortress, home sweet San Siro.

Hoping for a hero's welcome

Europa League • KF Shkendija 0, Milan 1: Powered By Red and Black

When Milan were wearing the red and black last week, they seemed unstoppable. Meanwhile, Shkëndija, wearing their white jerseys seemed harmless. This week, Shkëndija were wearing the red and black, and were a completely different team, with a lot more chances and a much improved defense. On the flip side, Milan, while wearing the white kits, almost seemed like Superman’s kryptonite, they were so much worse tonight than last week. So it seemed, at least for this tie, that the team that were powered by red and black played best.

Consistently amazing

Europa League Preview • KF Shkëndija vs. AC Milan: Hold Out

With six goals on aggregate, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where we leave Skopje empty-handed. I think everyone involved expects Milan to be the red and black team of these two included in the draw on Friday for the Europa League Group Stage. However, literally anything can happen in 90 minutes, and going to Macedonia and playing in their almost-home stadium, they have to believe there is still a chance. Milan have to be prepared and be vigilant to hold their lead, and it never hurts to score some more to be safe. We need to not resist the urge to be cocky and simply hold out.

We can't let all of their hard work last week be for naught

Crotone 0, Milan 3: Shark for Dinner

On paper, an early penalty cut Crotone down to ten men and they conceded three goals in the first 25 minutes. But as is always the case, there was much more to see than that. And Crotone fought hard throughout the match, all credit to them. But in the end, Milan had shark for dinner.

Three goals, three points, and a win to start the season

Crotone vs. Milan: Sharkfighter

Those sharks won’t know what hit them

Crotone-Milan Preview: Shark Fury

Having recently survived watching Sharknado 5, the one thing that was painfully obvious was that the best way to defeat sharks is with a chainsaw. However, FIFA don’t allow players to wield chainsaws on the pitch, so unfortunately they will have to rely on their footballing skills. Thank goodness we finally have some players who have skills that are exciting enough we won’t miss the sharks being ripped apart by chainsaws. Because that is seriously awesome. And seriously, Crotone are a frenzy of sharks with a lot of fury.

I'd choose him to lead the fight against a Sharknado anytime

Europa League • AC Milan 6, Shkëndija 0: Apocalypse

An Antichrist leading people astray. War and violence. Natural disasters, pandemics, plagues. Famine and death. Judgment being exacted on the wicked. The whole earth shaking. Montolivo scoring a brace. These are the signs of the Apocalypse. You have been warned.

Enjoying the moments before death and destruction will hit

Europa League Preview • AC Milan vs. KF Shkëndija: Battle of the Red and Black

This match will be interesting. Two teams, both of whom wear red and black, but from very different backgrounds. Milan are in this Playoff Round because of a fall from grace, whereas KF Shkëndija have worked very hard to ensure they are here. One team has glory, money, and a major European city to claim as home. The other team comes from a city whose population could almost completely fit in our stadium. But regardless of where they come from or how they got here, in 90 minutes, anything could happen. Football doesn’t care what language you speak or how many people live in your city. It’s a battle from start to finish. And this time, it’s the battle of the red and black.

Looks like someone saw that ridiculous Shkëndija video...

Podcast: In League with the Devil

The team has been renewed. The preseason matches have been played. And whether or not Milan is ready, the new season is upon us. There is plenty to talk about, plenty to try to predict, and more than enough excitement in preparation for this much anticipated season. How this ends, only time will tell. But either the Devil is coming back, or we are in league with the devil.

i Diavoli are ready

Poll: Season Predictions

Last week you chose your Favorite Signing of the Summer. Over the weekend, you had the chance to review the Season Preview 2017-18. Now it’s your chance to make some predictions. Take the polls below and let us know where you think Milan is headed this season.

How will they do?

Season Preview 2017-18

With one of the most incredible transfer markets ever, this season there is finally something to really talk about. It’s been so long since there was anything exciting enough to preview, I have to confess that this is very refreshing. Certainly, it is nearly impossible to predict what will happen, but there are also plenty of things to look forward to… finally.

Milan are back... or at least well on their way

AC Milan 1, Real Betis 2: Welcome to VAR

For years, people have begged for video replay in football. Get those calls right, they said. The use of video technology will finally put those questionable ref calls to rest, they said. Especially after the “gol di Muntari” incident a few years back, Milan in particular lobbied for video technology. So FIFA researched it and tested it, and even Serie A tested it last season. How ironic, then, that VAR would be the star of our friendly, literally turning the result upside down and visibly upsetting our players. Welcome to VAR.

VAR: making all of this guy's other calls look horrible since 2017

AC Milan vs. Real Betis Preview: Going Green

Tomorrow night in Catania, Milan will face Spanish side Real Betis. I assume this match was organized to put Carlos Bacca in a very large suitcase and have Betis drop him off at Sevilla’s stadium when they head home. But then again, maybe not. Besides, we probably want some money for him. Or, with the Trofeo TIM having been cancelled this year and us not facing Sassuolo preseason, maybe Milan felt the need to play another team with green colors. It’s really hard to know. In reality, this is actually just another preseason friendly. Our last one, I believe. A good chance for Montella to try some things out, like his previously mentioned 3-5-2 formation, now that Bonucci and Biglia are eligible to play in competitive matches. So it’s the perfect time to go green.

Will we struggle against this green team preseason?

Poll: Favorite Signing of the Summer

Milan have signed an impressive ten players in the summer mercato so far. Or, as I like to call them, nine signings plus Borini. Now that we’ve had a chance to see them in action, even if only for a few minutes in a friendly or Europa League qualifier, I’m curious as to which player(s) is your favorite?

Which signing is your favorite so far?

A Milan Love Story

Everyone remembers their first love… how suddenly, for no rational reason, their heart was no longer theirs. My heart was given to AC Milan, against all odds, and I know I’m never getting my heart back. Neither distance, language, horrible stream, failing management, terrible players, nor anything else has been able to change my heart. In fact all of those things have simply made my love stronger. In good times in bad, in wins and in losses, my life has become a Milan love story.

Who could help but fall in love?

Europa League: AC Milan 2, Craiova 0: Picture Perfect

There were over 65,000 fans in the stadium. The Curva prepared a lovely coreo that read “My heart is sad when far from you.” And Montella lined up a starting 11 without Montolivo or Borini. All of the hype, all of the hope, all of the money spent this summer were resting on this game, the first home game with the new squad. And the first European game Milan have played at the San Siro in over 3 years, even if it was just a qualifier. It was bound to be brilliant or an epic fail, but not likely anything in between.

Oil on canvas by Giacomo Bonaventura

Europa League: AC Milan vs. CS U Craiova: Homecoming

After five years of dwindling crowds, Milan fans are giving a hero’s welcome to their team. Tomorrow is the first home game since the massive mercato, and the San Siro looks to be repaying the efforts of the new ownership with over 60,000 tickets sold so far. They are hoping for a sellout, which actually could still happen. After seeing the stadium next to empty for so long, it will be amazing to see it so full again. Especially on a Thursday night, pre season, and a Europa League qualifying match at that. But it is a welcome that the team and the ownership deserve, a kind of homecoming.

The first leg we played like a cardboard cutout