The Highs and Lows of Milan's 2021

Milan continued to rebuild this year under the careful watch of Maldini. We started 2021 top of the league, having had an incredible run of form after coming back from COVID-19 lockdown in the summer. This year we saw injuries leave us bare, mentality dip and then steady, and a return to the Champions League that was bittersweet. Finishing 2021 in second place in the league is actually perhaps more amazing than 2020 was, considering where we have been and what we have been through, even if a lot of fans are disappointed. That is why it pays to look at some of the highs and lows of Milan's 2021.

Facing 2021 without fear

Beneath the Red and Black: The Dark Side of the Curva Sud

As fans, when we hear the words "Curva Sud," our minds are instantly filled with memories of phenomenal coreografia, epic chants, drums, waving flags, flares, or even the recent 700 traveling Santa hat brigade that represented at the Empoli match just before Christmas. These fans represent for us the ultimate in passion – attending every Milan match, giving up countless hours to plan and create the best coreo in the world, and providing the intimidating atmosphere for opponents at the San Siro while offering that extra boost to our own players. What many don't know or want to forget is that too many of these passionate fans are also criminals, have their own political agenda, and have at times brought incredible shame to the club and the crest. Beneath the beautiful passion of the red and black, there is a very dark side of the Curva Sud.

"When you are in hell..." but what about when you are in jail?

The Unpredictable Alexis Saelemaekers

Upon his arrival on loan at Milan, no one really knew what to expect from Saelemaekers. Almost two years later, that statement is largely still true. While he has become a little less rash and perhaps more dependable, as Boaz mentioned on the latest podcast, it is not even certain that he knows what he is going to do next. With a name that is surprisingly still unpronounceable (despite him teaching us how,) he is the unpredictable Alexis Saelemaekers.

Unpredictable

Podcast: A Plea to Babbo Natale

Just in time for Christmas, Boaz of the Scudetto Podcast caught up with me on Milan news, including the latest on the new stadium, as well as recapping the recent matches, the Champions League exit, and the ever-present Milan injury list. We made a plea to the Italian version of Santa, Babbo Natale, for a wish for the coming year.

A gift from Babbo Natale in any form will be welcome

Empoli 2, Milan 4: In the Christmas Mood

Milan clearly wanted to give their fans a Christmas gift after some poor results, bad luck, and a plague of injuries. Empoli wanted to continue their streak of beating the big teams, and at first, it seemed like they just might get their wish. But Kessié, having been much maligned in the media and on social media for not having renewed his contract, as well as having had a goal stolen from him on Sunday, had other plans. As did Florenzi, who had not yet scored for Milan, and Theo Hernández, who was just coming back from the flu. Bakayoko got confused as usual, and gifted a goal to Empoli, but at the end of regulation, Milan fans were in the Christmas mood.

Tonali accepts a festive gift from the Curva

Empoli-Milan Preview: In the Bleak Midwinter

Milan's loss to Napoli hurt on so many levels. Not just the bizarre and controversial referee call, a decision which the AIA (Italian Referee Association) stood behind for an even more bizarre reason. Morale is dropping, with so few points in our latest matches, and still so many injuries in our starting lineup. Worse still, we face a newly promoted team that is playing way above their level and sits in ninth place on the table. This match is a must win for Milan fans to have anything but a bleak midwinter.

Hopefully no one falls on him, pinning him in an offside position this time

Milan 0, Napoli 1: Party Foul

Today was both Tomori and Kessié's birthdays. Approximately 55,000 fans came to their party at the San Siro, only to have the party spoiled by a defensive error that led to the goal and also a referee who confused wrestling with football. To read the reactions from fans online, Milan never showed up for the party, but actually, the game was pretty even, Napoli just didn't get their goal called back for a bizarre interpretation of a rule. Fans were also talking about how poorly Kessié played, but I also disagree with that assessment. In fact, the two birthday boys had great performances tonight, including some great tackles from Tomori and the goal that wasn't a goal from Kessié. Massa committed the ultimate party foul.

Party foul

Milan-Napoli Preview: The Big One

This match has been highly anticipated since early in the season, when both teams were undefeated and fighting for top spot. Our fortunes seem intertwined, as both teams went undefeated until week 13. While both teams are still in the top four, both sides have faced some absolutely devastating injuries that have seen them both drop points of late. Both Milan and Napoli also play beautiful, attacking football that is fantastic to watch. While Milan sit three points ahead, Napoli have conceded the fewest goals in Serie A this season. 

Can our two big front men come good in the big match?

Happy 122nd Birthday A.C. Milan!

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of two English friends, Herbert Kilpin and Alfred Edwards, founded the original version of the club known as AC Milan. 122 years later and a whole bunch of trophies later, the red and black courses through the veins of millions of fans worldwide. Fans today remember the recent struggles, and Milan were not always at the top. But that makes us appreciate the victories that much more.

The Curva honors Milan's co-founder and first captain, Herbert Kilpin

The Unstoppable Tomori

Since his arrival at Milan in January, Tomori has clearly been a standout in defense. From scoring epic goals in big games, to stopping opposition goals in every game he plays, he quickly became a favorite not only of the fans, but of Pioli's lineups. Now, with Kjaer injured, and Maignan still healing from his fractured hand, he has become the heart and soul of our defense. He is the unstoppable Tomori.

Unstoppable at either end of the pitch

Udinese 1, Milan 1: Mental Exhaustion

From the reactions of fans during and after the game, it is difficult to tell who is more mentally exhausted this season – the players or the fans. Not that watching the game helped to choose between the two. Even our kit man seems to be fatigued, having spelled Messias' name wrong on the back of his jersey. With our Champions League exit on Wednesday, and averaging five or more players injured every match for at least two months now, it is no wonder that all of us are a little burned out. The players have the additional physical fatigue, but with all of the errors of late, I think the focus issue is primarily a result of mental exhaustion.

Milan are so tire, even Ibrahimović could only score from a prone position

Udinese-Milan Preview: In the Meantime

Milan hearts were broken midweek when we failed to qualify for the Round of 16 in the Champions League by the narrowest of margins. In the meantime, we are still literally licking our wounds, as we have so many players on the treatment table. Now the objective will be to get everyone healthy and dominate in the league. Udinese have been struggling and also had a big change this week, as they sacked Gotti and have appointed his assistant, Cioffi as interim manager. This game will be tricky for both teams during their transitions, in the meantime.

In the meantime, Castillejo could be back

A Culture of Hate

That social media creates a culture of hate is hardly news. Anyone who has ever seen Twitter can determine this right away. Not only has social media changed how fans watch football or "support" their teams, but we have seen how it directly affects the players themselves. How the players use social media has also created hate and had serious repercussions for them, as well. But even Twitter has standards. Discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more has consequences, albeit limited and not remotely proportional to the infractions. Kindness or even tolerance are being replaced by a culture of hate.

So much hate from such a tiny device

WARNING: The following post contains vulgarity. Please be advised.

AC Milan 1, Liverpool FC 2: Leaving Europe

With a fighting spirit but not enough quality or healthy players, Milan exit the Champions League with only four points. Reactionary Milan fans complain that Milan should have won this one, but forget recent performances against Fiorentina and Sassuolo. Just because it is a bigger game with more on the line doesn't change how many players are young, inexperienced, tired, or injured. Certainly, this team gave everything they had tonight. But sometimes, your everything is not enough. So Milan are leaving Europe.

Proud of you

AC Milan-Liverpool FC: It All Comes Down to This

Milan fans associate Liverpool with both heartbreak and redemption. While we all wish that this match and the other Group B match would offer us redemption, realistically, the heartbreak is more likely. Also, because every time the club makes one of these overdramatic videos about a match, we seem to have worse luck. We have plenty of injuries already, and really don't need any more referee episodes, either. Not only is this match a must-win to see Milan progress to the Round of 16, but the result of the Porto-Atlético match will also factor into our chances. This is our last chance to move on, it all comes down to this.

This team has grown, but will be missing key players

Milan 2, Salernitana 0: In Control

This match started with players warming up with "Forza Simon" shirts to support Simon Kjaer after his serious injury and surgery this week. And Milan were in control from that point forward, only allowing two shots on target and 30% possession for the bottom of the table Salernitana side. While there certainly could and should have been more goals, two was all it took for Milan to take all three points and go top of the table. Unlike a few of their recent performances, Milan were in control.

A touching tribute for our fallenViking

Milan-Salernitana Preview: For Kjaer

Milan are hosting Salernitana on Saturday, who are dead last on the table with only eight points after 15 rounds. Maybe it's because their logo is a stylized seahorse, and seahorses are literally the slowest swimmers of all fish species. (Next time, maybe think twice about choosing a mascot?) But whatever you do or do not know about Salernitana the club, the manager and players, Milan are more focused on a devastating new injury. Kjaer was injured in the opening minutes on Wednesday, and had knee surgery Friday to repair his anterior cruciate ligament and reinsert the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The prognosis is that he will be out for six months, effectively ending his season. So I feel badly for Salernitana, because this Milan team will likely be very motivated to win this one big for Kjaer.

He will be sorely missed

Genoa 0, Milan 3: Sheva's Lament

Milan kept a clean sheet and actually scored three goals, despite missing seven players and having an eighth player injured just one minute into the match. Ibrahimović did Ibrahimović things, and Messias showed why he is worthy of Milan – twice. Unfortunately for Shevchenko, whose Genoa side ironically has yet to score a goal in his three matches in charge, this win was at his expense.

Milan's joy was Sheva's lament