Mixed Reactions

Summer friendlies can be difficult. The mercato is in full swing, so some players are making their debuts while others are saying their goodbyes. In the friendlies, some players are impressing, others still seem to be on vacation. With this summer's national team duty calling up players for both the U21 and Euro tournaments as well as the Olympics, we saw a few players in other settings as well. The friendly in Nice and this week's events brought mixed reactions.

Scoring on your debut is a great first impression.

Taking Back Europe

Milan are kicking off their return to Champions League with a four match preseason European tour that begins tomorrow in Nice, France. While rivals Juventus and Inter are still toying with Serie B sides this week, Milan will face a Ligue 1 side, Valencia in the Trofeo Naranja, Real Madrid, also in Champions League, and Greek side Panathinaikos over the next two weeks. Let Mourinho's Roma buy into Pepe's drama in their friendly with Porto, Milan are taking back Europe.

Leveling up for Europe

Bienvenue

Milan players who competed at the Euro tournament will train for the first time this season at Milanello. That includes the return of Kjaer and Rebić as well as the first time in training for Giroud and Maignan. Half a world away, Kessié and Kalulu are competing for their national teams at the Tokyo Olympics. The rest of the squad faced Serie C side Modena in a friendly on Saturday. So today is either about: that was... something, see you again soon, welcome back, or Bienvenue.

Benvenuto a Milanello

When the Good Just Gets Better

Sometimes clubs will sign a superstar, and you just know that he is exactly what that team needs to propel them into greatness. For example, when Galliani signed Djamel Mesbah in 2012, it was clear that he would change the trajectory of Milan forever. That instant trajectory into success is not common, but it is very exciting to watch. Certainly, in this age of instant gratification, it is the kind of transformation fans expect from their clubs every transfer window. However, sometimes it can catch you by surprise just how much a good team just keeps getting better.

The Curva finally seeing the good in the project

Mercato Hat Trick

After weeks of negotiations, rumors, and roadblocks, Milan completed a hat trick of signings this weekend. A perfect combination of experience, youth, and continuity will provide depth to a squad that needs to be competitive. After spending for Maignan, Tomori, and Tonali these three signings mark a total of approximately €60 million that Milan have invested this summer. That is an average of €10 million per player, but if you look at the quality and the careful planning to put together a competitive team, this mercato is already better than a hat trick.

Experience and the credentials to wear the Milan jersey

The Maldini Derby: A Family Affair

Today, Milan began their string of summer friendlies with a 6-0 win in the Maldini Derby. Daniel Maldini's Milan faced off against Christian Maldini's Serie B side Pro Sesto in a match behind closed doors at Milanello. As if that wasn't enough, simultaneously, Paolo Maldini was busy helping Pioli gather his family for the next season. Giroud was officially announced today, Brahim returned on loan just in time to sit next to our technical director to watch the match, and Ballo-Touré took his medicals. It was a very busy day, especially for the Maldini family.

An assist for the younger brother

French Lessons

Whether by plan or necessity of finding talented players for cheap, Milan's squad now has a core group of native French speakers. With Olivier Giroud reported to be taking his medicals for Milan soon, that number increases by yet another player. Having a very limited knowledge of the French language myself, I decided to let our players help put together some very basic French lessons.

"Tue es prêt pour le match demain?" "Oui, je suis au taquet."

French class was never like this...

Podcast: Mercato Battle Plan

After Milan qualified for the Champions League, so much has happened. For this episode, Rui joined me to catch up on all things football. While some players have had some time off, others had surgery, others have been representing their national teams. With the Euro final ahead of us on Sunday, and Milan players returning to Milanello, there is so much excitement in the air. As if that is not enough, Milan are preparing their mercato battle plan and making brilliant moves.

Leading the charge

Dissociation Football

Italy’s performances under Mancini and specifically at this Euro tournament have broken records and brought joy to Azzurri fans everywhere. But not to all fans. Although I fell in love with football because of the Italian national team, I do not feel the same emotions with this team. Whether it is a lack of heroes, or Mancini’s endless quantity rather than quality callups, or perhaps the overall state of Italian football that eventually left them out of World Cup 2018, I’m not sure. Perhaps it was the three hour television squad announce, or the pale blue Armani seersucker suits. But I do know that I have a serious case of dissociation football. 

Dress code grinta casual