The Case of Boban vs. Gazidis

As promised, because Boban is nothing if not a man of his word, he sued the club for wrongful termination, and he won the first round. His cause is not about money, but rather accountability and integrity. Yesterday, a court awarded him damages of €5.375 million. Meanwhile, Gazidis, being the lawyer that he is, is appealing the decision, and still claims he had "just cause" to fire the Milan legend for ratting out his absurd courting of Ralf Rangnick. That is simply round one in the case of Boban vs. Gazidis.

Integrity vs. incompetence

Podcast: Ciao 2020

After ending the year on a stoppage time header to go out with a big win, it was time to review the recent matches and form and talk about everything Milan to wrap up an amazing year. Jesús and I took a break from the holiday festivities to catch up on the end of 2020 for Milan, as well as indulge in a little bit of Schadenfreude at the expense of Inter and Juventus.

What. A. Year.

The Year That Might Have Been

In most situations, I do not think it is fair to look back and try to think about what might have been. However, sometimes, when there were errors made that were so egregious that they were borderline criminal, it is interesting to look back and try to piece together an alternate reality. A reality where an entire team and organization, as well as millions of fans worldwide, were not impacted by someone's incompetence and poor decisions. One that puts a club closer to fiscal responsibility rather than deeper in the red and more likely to face penalties. I think, therefore, that it is fair to ask questions about Gazidis' decisions and wonder about the year that might have been.

More than a rift in a fairy tale

A Christmas Like No Other

After being slaughtered by Atalanta three days before Christmas last year, no Milanista could have believed that this Christmas, we would be where we are now. However, no one in the world could have dreamed last Christmas that this year, we would be socially distancing, wearing masks, and staying away from family to show them that we love them, either. All the way around, this Christmas is a Christmas like no other.

One goal up, two opponents down. Merry Christmas.

Milan 3, Lazio 2: Ecstasy

Sometimes, words are just not enough. In a match where Milan were decimated by injuries, Lazio dominated possession, and had two more shots on goal, we still won. In the most spectacular way. Top of the table. Undefeated in the league since March. A record run of scoring two or more goals in every match. The records go on and on. But the records have nothing on the emotions fans felt when Theo Hernandez scored the winning goal. The only word that comes close to describing it is ecstasy.

Ecstasy

Milan-Lazio Preview: Not for the Faint of Heart

After two disappointing draws, Milan took down Sassuolo on Sunday as if they were at full strength, despite missing so many players. Now, with a suspended starter, two more potential starters likely to miss this one, and no one returning from injury, they have to repeat that level of performance against a Lazio side that certainly has more players who are fit. It will be a battle, one that is not for the faint of heart.

Need a Christmas miracle

Sassuolo 1, Milan 2: Instant Gratification

In all honesty, I was dreading waking up for this six o'clock in the morning game here. After the last two performances, with injuries piling up like Juve & Inter penalties, I was sure this was going to be the match that we broke our streak. But Leao was not going to let me be disappointed. Just 6.2 seconds in, he scored the fastest goal in Serie A history. And that was just the beginning. Milan controlled much of the match, and only conceded one goal, near the end. Instead of being left disappointed, we got instant gratification.

Defying all odds, even time itself

Sassuolo-Milan Preview: The Strength of the Spirit

J.R.R. Tolkien wisely wrote, "It is not the strength of the body, but the strength of the spirit." Never before have Milan needed this to be more true than now. With so many bodies missing to injury, the strength of the spirit of this squad is at the heart of our hope. Like so many of Tolkien's characters, who faced great adversity and tasks that were much larger than they, this squad must carry the team now through at least the next two matches with out our Viking forward and Viking defender, who are both injured. Battle weary, and struggling for a lack of reinforcements, the test of this match will be the strength of the spirit.

One glimmer of hope

Genoa 2, Milan 2: Running on Fumes

The pressure on this young team is growing the more results they find. Combine that with the fact that some of our most important and experienced starters are being taken from us, one by one, to injury, and you have a recipe for disaster. Which is basically what this game was, a disaster. You know it was a poor performance when someone like Destro scores a brace on you. Sure, Milan fought back to keep a point, but clearly, mentally and physically, this team is running on fumes.

Even the celebrations were subdued

Genoa-Milan Preview: Return of the King

Milan's mentality saw them hold out for a 2-2 draw on Sunday to Parma, but that match also saw two more important players incur injuries. Milan are now the only team in Europe to remain unbeaten in their league since the return of football this summer. While it almost feels too good to be true, it also feels deserved and truly amazing – a streak we don't want to break. Yet here we are, plagued with injuries, weary from playing in the Europa League, and heading to the Marassi to face a relegation zone team, the most dangerous of circumstances. Gratefully, Ibrahimovic is set to make his glorious return. And while he may not be 100% match fit or play all 90 minutes, it is definitely going to feel like the Return of the King.

Sorry, Viggo, but Ibrahimovic wears it better

Milan 2, Parma 2: Never Say Die

In the classic movie, "The Goonies," a group of young kids fight to save their homes from a property development company. Along the way, they have to overcome many challenges, but one of the most famous quotes from the movie comes from Mikey, who rallies the troops with the line "Goonies never say die!" Much like those young kids, our young Milan team have been tasked to save Milan's honor and return it to glory. One of the obstacles they faced today was the woodwork, with Milan hitting it four times in a single match. Another was injuries. Already missing two important players, we saw two more starters go out with potentially serious injuries during this match. But, just like the young heroes in the movie, Milan players never say die.

Not today, Fratelli... er... fratello

Podcast: The Golden Age of Serie A

As things are improving so quickly at the club, we often speak of the glory days of Milan. But my guest this time not only lived through some of the best of those years, he worked on a television show in England that covered Serie A for ten years on Channel 4. Now he's written a book, Golazzo: The Football Italia Years, which covers the amazing football from those years chronologically. Jonathan Grade was kind enough to join me and reminisce about the Golden Age of Serie A.

The ideal Christmas gift

Milan-Parma Preview: Securing the Fortress

Returning from Prague with a win and topping our Europa League group, Milan don't have time to celebrate or even rest. On Sunday evening, we face Parma at the San Siro. The guys have said that they want to win every match, and yet this is exactly the type of match that could catch them off guard. Even without fans, we need to make teams fear coming to the San Siro. A strong performance in this match would be another step towards securing the fortress.

Returning to the ranks

AC Sparta Prague 0, AC Milan 1: The Bench

This match terrified me. There wasn't much to play for, although it turns out the win gave us top spot in our qualifying thanks to Lille's loss to Celtic. But the starting lineup featured no regular starters and so very much youth. I was concerned about this team giving away a loss, and about potential injuries that might leave us stranded, while several key starters were left at home, as well as a number of injuries. A loss at this point in the season could have really impacted mentality, and I was worried. I should have taken my own advice and trusted in Pioli, though. He knew these backup players were mentally prepared. His secret weapon was the bench.

Even our bench knows how to win

Europa League • AC Sparta Prague-AC Milan Preview: For Football

Going to Prague on Thursday, Milan have already qualified for the next round, and Sparta Prague are mathematically eliminated. If Lille lose or draw to Celtic and Milan win, then we could change our position in the group, but that is about all there is to play for. Well, that, and football. Milan players have said that the main objective is to win every match, and the side effect of that has been some pretty good football, too. So I hope that both Sparta Prague and Milan are willing to play for the fans, and if nothing else, for football.

For football

Sampdoria 1, Milan 2: Coach Combat

This fierce match was a battle of two teams, one flying high, and one struggling and slipping down the table. It was a battle of youth and experience, and a very physical battle, too. Milan were fighting to keep their Serie A unbeaten streak alive, despite tired legs, and Sampdoria were hoping to get back to winning ways, no matter how many points separated the two teams going into this match. But there was one other aspect to this match: Ranieri is Pioli's former coach, and Ranieri has never managed to best his student. This one was also about coach combat.

Two coaches enter their technical areas, but only one comes away with 3 points

Sampdoria-Milan Preview: To the Marassi

Milan are still undefeated in Serie A, top of the table, but anything can happen in 90 minutes of football. We also have three important players out with injuries, and tired legs from playing on Thursday. Fans and players and even Maldini are daring to talk about the Scudetto this year, but the season is young and it must be won three points at a time. Even without fans, the Marassi is a stadium that is imposing and intimidating to traveling teams. So Milan head, confident but focused, to the Marassi.

Hardworking but humble

Podcast: Scudetto Talk

When people outside of Italy notice an improvement in Milan, it must be serious. From Maldini to the media to the dreams of Milan fans worldwide, there is a buzz around the idea of Milan actually winning the Scudetto this year... maybe. Rui and I reviewed recent matches, caught up with all things Milan, and gave our opinions on all of that Scudetto talk.

Ready to win

Milan 4, Celtic 2: The Comeback Kids

This match was a very important match to our qualifying for the Round of 32 in the Europa League. Ahead of the match, we knew we needed to close the deal on Celtic. However, we got off to one of the worst starts of our season, going two goals and a Viking defender down in the first 13 minutes. That start also breathed life into a Celtic side who has not been in form lately, and things did not look good for Milan. But with over 75 minutes left, this young Milan team, aided by the return of Pioli and the support of Ibrahimovic from the bench, came back to ensure that we qualified for the next round with one matchday left. That is why Milan are The Comeback Kids.

Unstoppable, even in the face of adversity

Europa League • AC Milan-Celtic Preview: Closing the Deal

Meeting Celtic again appeals to my singular favorite transfer rumor of the year: it was reported that Celtic adore Laxalt and want to buy him from Milan, and that deal could help us buy a player from Celtic that we have been wanting, Norway's Kristoffer Ajer. I don't care how ridiculous this rumor sounds, I'm clinging to it. Not just for the fact that Ajer is five years younger, 8" (20 cm.) taller, and more talented than Laxalt has ever been, but that we could finally lose the dead weight and the braids from our roster, too. Win-win-win and keep on winning. Back to reality, though, on Thursday, we face the braids one (hopefully) last time in a match that we need the three points to ensure that we progress to the next round. This match is all about closing the deal.

Let's just say goodbye to the braids, please