Torino-Milan Preview: Pioli's Penultimate Challenge

While Pioli has been hounded by questions all season about his future, and he has asked to be judged at the end of the season, all media reports point to this being his next to the last match for Milan. I mean he may get to take the team to Australia for the postseason friendly, but after the way Cardinale sacked Maldini last year, I think Pioli is expecting similar treatment. Which means this trip to Torino is also his last away match, as well as the final away match for Giroud, Kjaer, and possibly other players. With 74 points on the table but no trophies, the best case scenario is for Milan to win both of these final matches and finish on 80 points, a decent second place finish for the season. So expect the match vs. Torino to be about closing out the season well and honoring the players and the manager who will likely be leaving after next week. Earning 80 points this season is Pioli's penultimate challenge.

Strange to think this could be his last away match for Milan.

Milan 5, Cagliari 1: Silencing the Fans

After a really rough month without a win, Milan came back with a vengeance against poor, relegation-threatened Cagliari. Like Mina's shirt that Giroud tore less than ten minutes into the match, Milan took out their aggression by dominating possession and came out on top with a 5-1 win over Cagliari in front of the still silent Curva Sud at the San Siro. And while the Curva had put up a large banner for the duration of the match that indicated that Milan were "unsatisfied," it must have been confusing to the casual viewer, who saw Serie A's second place team shred their opposition with five goals, which could have easily been more. That's what you call silencing the fans.

Celebrating with or without the fans.

Milan-Cagliari Preview: Looking for Clarity

Milan have three matches left this season. While second place seemed to be a certainty for the team last month, recent results have called into question whether or not the team will actually pull it off. Coming to the close of what has been a difficult and disappointing season for the team (not just the fans,) the Curva Sud are set to boycott their third match in a row. Once again this week, they've announced a "silent protest" in order to obtain "clarity" from the management on things the management is working on, but cannot actually do anything about until the season ends. So, Saturday night, Milan will host 15th place Cagliari. Meanwhile, the fans who claim to love the Club the most will stand in silence, while the players who have fought in every match will be battling alone, looking for some actual clarity as to our final position on the table.

Giroud perhaps trying to show the fans where they should actually be looking for clarity.

Milan 3, Genoa 3: The Price of Silence

Milan had four matches left in this season, three of them home games. After protesting the Juventus match last week completely for their own political purposes, one might think that the Curva Sud would be back in full force to support the team they claim to love "In good times and in bad" for this one. But no. Completely stuck in their 1899 Ultra ways, these Karens demanded to speak to the manager by observing a silent protest as Milan hosted an in-form Genoa, making it all about them and their organized crime-like demands. And Milan drew with Genoa, 3-3, when it was a match they could and should have won. But the Curva Sud fans left ten minutes early, so they missed that part. That is the price of silence.

The players deserve support no matter what management does.

Milan-Genoa Preview: Keeping the Faith

When we played Genoa in October, aka the most insane stoppage time match ever, our first goalkeeper, Maignan, was sent off for a straight red card in the 98th minute, with no subs left, so Giroud donned the keeper jersey and gloves and quite literally saved the day. (If you'll recall, their goalkeeper was also sent off for a second yellow in the 103rd minute of a seven minute stoppage time that ended up being 15 minutes long.) This time, Gilardino's Genoa comes to the San Siro, and Maignan is out with a minor adductor muscle injury. And while the Curva Sud have questioned everyone's faith by announcing they will be boycotting again, Sportiello showed us last week that when he is in goal, we can keep the faith.

Giroud has four matches left in this shirt, let's keep the faith.

Milan's Manager Dilemma

After nearly five years, the Pioli Out crowd seem to have finally realized their dream. Having constantly criticized the manager and blamed him for everything from the weather, the kits, to the mercato purchases, player performances, as well as the things he was actually responsible for, it seems that everyone has accepted that Pioli will be leaving at the end of the season. I mean, when pressed, management denies it and pretends to be annoyed by the questions. But they have leaked plenty of information to their spokespeople favorite journalists about having had serious talks with at least one manager, and reports actually have said the talks went all the way back to December. But the fans got wind of this name and vehemently disapproved of him as being the next Milan manager, leaving management reportedly rethinking their decision. And as a controversially successful season wraps up, Milan have a serious manager dilemma.

More questions than answers.

Juventus 0, Milan 0: Saved By Zero

The expectations for this match were low, given Milan's recent form and all the players and fans missing. So it's difficult to say whether or not a 0-0 draw vs. Juve met or exceeded those expectations. Certainly a clean sheet and a point against the team just below us on the table is better than losing or even drawing to a team much lower on the table. But with both managers under fire for underperforming squads, it was not exactly a match that was particularly entertaining. Sportiello had six saves, but Milan had zero shots on target at the other end. So in a strange way, Milan were saved by zero.

Epic performances.

Juventus-Milan Preview: Running On Empty

Saturday evening, Milan travel to Turin to take on Juventus after what has arguably been the most difficult few weeks for Milan this season. After being knocked out of the Europa League by Roma last week, our Primavera losing the UEFA Youth League Final on Monday evening, then losing the Derby to Inter Monday night for them to secure what they believe is their 20th Scudetto, now we have to face Juventus. If you recall, last year, Juventus' points deduction was announced the same week we faced them in this fixture. You know, the points deduction and eventual UEFA ban that led to us getting a Champions League spot this year? But I'm sure they've forgiven us. Oh, and we're missing three out of four of our starting defenders, and our Curva Sud are boycotting this match, too. So we face an angry Juve side in their house, while we are literally running on empty.

"All you need is love..." although it didn't help us in October.

Milan 1, Inter 2: Sweep It Under the Carpet

As expected, Milan lost another Derby 2-1 to the organized crime family known as Inter. And while the Curva Sud Milano always impresses with their coreografia, this one may have actually been their most clever one yet. Copying a famous Banksy piece noted for its commentary on the problems we never talk about, the Curva entitled this one "Nothing Changes." The commentary the Curva were making was Inter's claiming 20 Scudetti, after infamously awarding themselves a "paper Scudetto" in 2006, the same year this Banksy work first appeared. They used cardboard stars to represent the two stars Inter will now wear on their kits, and the rats seemed to be a direct response to Inter's lame coreo from the September Derby in which they accused Milanisti of being rodents who crawled out of a manhole. And the coreo was just the tip of the iceberg as Milan fans aimed to remind everyone of Inter's many wrongs, while the Nerazzurri attempted to sweep it under the carpet. 

Nothing changes.

UEFA Youth League Final and Milan-Inter Derby Preview: Pleasure and Pain

Milan fans have been on an intense emotional ride this past week. On Thursday, Milan was knocked out of the Europa League by Roma in a match that can only be described as watching a trainwreck while your dentist gives you a root canal and your significant other breaks up with you. And carrying that trauma, also the dread of knowing the Derby was coming on Monday. But then, on Friday, our Primavera side knocked Porto U19 out of the UEFA Youth League Semifinal on penalties, becoming the first Italian team to ever qualify for the UEFA Youth League Final. Which is also coming on Monday. So, basically all of the opposite feelings as the previous night. And, most likely, this was a preview of what our Monday will be like... a mixture of exquisite pleasure and pain.

One man to ruin it all? Or in their darkness bind them?

AS Roma 2, AC Milan 1: Thrown to the Wolves

Milan have never won the Europa League trophy, but we have won the Champions League seven times. I would like to blame that fact for our excruciating exit from the Quarterfinals at the hands of the fifth place Serie A team that is 14 points below us on the table, but I don't think that was our problem. After a match that was conditioned by poor referee calls last week left us 1-0 down last week, Milan's proverbial back was up against the wall. In these situations, Pioli usually does one of two things: prepare the perfect match and win, or break the panic button because he hits it so hard. His prematch comments about his choices were worrying, because as soon as the starting lineups were released, it was clear that somewhere, a panic button had lost its life. The team never stood a chance with his choices, even with Roma going down to ten men, they were literally thrown to the wolves.

After being mauled by wolves, the team faced the Curva, who chanted at them.

Europa League Quarterfinal • AS Roma-AC Milan Preview: When In Rome

Last week, Milan's seven match winning streak was broken by an early goal scored after a wrong referee call, as well as a lack of a penalty that could have at least atoned for the first error, so Roma lead this tie 1-0 as we head to the capital. Credit to Roma, as De Rossi has woken up his players from their Mourinho-induced slumber and has created a new mentality in his team. He also spoke of having studied Milan's losses to Inter last season as inspiration for his tactics in the first leg, which was certainly not a bad idea at all. However, for all that he is criticized for, Pioli does actually know what he is doing, and often gets the team to come up big in matches like this, when his back is up against the wall. So if De Rossi has his Roman soldiers pumped, Pioli will have our Milan players ready for battle. Because, as they say, "When in Rome..."

When in Rome, do as De Rossi the Romans do...

Sassuolo 3, Milan 3: Margin of Error

While Sassuolo have been known to hurt Milan in the past, no one hurt Milan more than themselves in this match. Well, except for perhaps technology. VAR was supposedly instituted only to reverse "clear and obvious errors" by the head referee. At least until Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) was introduced. By using twelve different camera angles, ball sensors and AI technology, almost immediately, the VAR referees can have a visual that shows whether or not the player was offside. This match officially ended in a 3-3 draw with Sassuolo, but Chukwueze had not just one, but two goals called back for offside that together measured a total of 2 centimeters offside. The original margin of error for SAOT was 3 centimeters –  for each call. So, while Milan players made plenty of actual errors themselves that led to conceding three goals, we were robbed of a 5-3 victory and all three points literally by a margin of error.

Chukwueze was so devastating that he had two goals ruled offside for the width of that wrinkle on his sleeve.

Sassuolo-Milan Preview: Sweet Memories

Just about two years ago, on a May evening in Emilia-Romagna, Milan defeated Sassuolo 3-0 to win their 19th Scudetto. Now Milan return to the Mapei Stadium in second place on the table, while Sassuolo languish second from the bottom. Many of the players from that squad have moved on, but a number of them are still here. And the infamous table-flipping, cigar-smoking leader of that Scudetto campaign now works for RedBird as an advisor. While Pioli will need to focus on winning this match to shore up the team's mentality before the Europa League Quarterfinals second leg on Thursday, I am sure that returning to this stadium will bring back sweet memories. 

Fond memories, but Milan need to win again, even if only for second best.

AC Milan 0, AS Roma 1: Down, But Not Out

Milan players are probably so grateful for Atalanta's shock 3-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield, because that has deflected much of the media attention away from Milan's 1-0 loss to Roma at the San Siro. Although they might want a little more attention paid to Clément Turpin and his team's abysmal job refereeing, specifically the error that led to the Roma goal, and the failure to call what looked like a handball against Roma late in the game that would have given Milan a penalty, for example. However, Milan's performance was not great, and that was as obvious as the referee errors. So, with the second leg left to play in Rome, Milan are a goal down, but not out.

Frustration and regrets the theme of this match.

Europa League Quarterfinal •AC Milan-AS Roma Preview: Wolf Invasion

For the second year in a row, Milan are facing Italian opposition in the Quarterfinals of a European competition. Last year, it was the league leaders, Napoli, in the Champions League, and this year, it is Roma in the Europa League. While Milan won both contests against Roma in Serie A this season, that was Mourinho's Roma. In fact, it was after our 3-1 win over Roma in January that Mourinho was sacked. Roma took a chance and hired former Roma bandiera Daniele DeRossi as their new manager, and since then, Roma have won eight of their 11 league matches, with only one loss, and also progressed to these Europa League Quarterfinals. So this challenge will be more difficult than our previous meetings this season. Milan need to prepare for a wolf invasion.

They are either gossiping about Roma players, planning a set piece, or preparing for a wolf invasion.

Milan 3, Lecce 0: Crushed It

Afternoon matches against teams with new managers who are also fighting relegation are really the most terrifying for Milan fans recently, with only maybe Derbies striking more dread into our hearts before kickoff. However, Milan made easy work of Lecce in their 3-0 win, a job made even easier by a first half red card for the visitors. That also made Milan's seventh win in a row in all competitions, something Milan surprisingly have not done since 2006. It was a little painful to watch, as it was somewhat soul-crushing for the Salentini, but Milan played with joy and freedom. They showed up and they completely crushed it.

Crushed it.

Milan-Lecce Preview: The Afternoon Shift

Ahead of our Europa League Quarterfinal clash next week, Milan have an afternoon match on Saturday against 13th place Lecce. With our recent form, this might seem like a formality, but we have seen the danger in complacency, or underestimating opponents in the lower half of the table. Not only that, but Lecce are sitting at the top of seven teams all within five points of one another battling to avoid two of the three relegation spots. Meaning they are desperate for points. So this match could go either way – Milan could enhance their mentality by winning yet another match, or Lecce could cause us to drop points as they battle for their Serie A lives. It is unlikely to be just another afternoon shift.

Hopefully Maignan is ready to put in another brilliant shift like last week's.

Fiorentina 1, Milan 3: Paying Our Respects

On a day that Fiorentina were honoring their late General Manager, Joe Barone, Milan also paid their respects. During the minute of silence, instead of clapping or jeering or shouting stupid things like some other fanbases do, you could hear a pin drop in the stadium, as traveling Milan fans were respectfully silent alongside the mourning Fiorentina fans. After the whistle, Milan respected Fiorentina in the most sporting way possible, by giving them a great match. And even if Milan defeated the Viola 2-1, it was simply our way of paying our respects.

Paying our respects in the most sporting way possible...

Fiorentina-Milan Preview: In the Valley of Sorrows

Going to the Stadio Artemi Franchi always brings intense emotions for Pioli, who managed Fiorentina for two years. During his time at the helm, you may remember, his captain (and former Milan Youth player,) Davide Astori passed away six years ago. Now Fiorentina are mourning someone else, as their General Manager, Joe Barone, suffered cardiac arrest just hours before their last match was scheduled to occur, and passed away last week, just two weeks after the anniversary of the loss of Astori. It is in this atmosphere that Milan travel to Florence to play Fiorentina on Saturday, in the valley of sorrows.

This one is always an emotional one for Pioli, who is still respected by Fiorentina fans.

The Acerbi Debacle: The Price of Not Punishing Racism

The democratic ideal of "innocent until proven guilty" has always favored those with wealth and perceived or real power. In cases where it is one person's word against another, the person harmed often did nothing, and is left with the burden of proof against the person who harmed them. This has always been true of racial abuse, particularly in Italy, where ignorance about what racism even is continues to be the norm. We saw this play out yet again these past two weeks after Juan Jesus reported that he was subjected to racial slurs from Francesco Acerbi on the pitch. On Serie A's "Keep Racism Out" weekend of all weekends. (This is not the first time that has happened in Serie A, either.) People with wealth and power (particularly those who are white) insist that it is unfair to punish someone based on one man's word. What they do not seem willing to admit is that Juan Jesus was already punished much worse by one man's words. And by not punishing Acerbi, that punishment has become exponential, both for Juan Jesus and other people of color. That is the price of not punishing racism.

Another white male (who happens to play for Inter) gets away with racial abuse.

Investigating AC Milan: Italy's Blatant Denial of Inter's Financial Reality

The Italian government and media have done some scandalous things to divert from, cover up, or flat out deny the existence of criminal conduct in the football world. The Plusvalenze cases come to mind, where so many clubs got caught cooking the books, but most have evaded all punishment. Usually, though, the biggest denial surrounds Inter and/or referees, such as in the Calciopoli scandal of 2006. But this year, they have pulled out all of the stops. As Inter's owner is being prosecuted for personal debts of over €300 million he owes in China and risks actually going to jail, Suning is also less than two months from losing Inter to an investment company for not repaying the €375 million they owe them, part of over €800 million in overall longterm debt. Yes, the league leaders, Inter Milan. Yet it is AC Milan that is being investigated. Italian officials are apparently worried that the company that manages €65.5 billion in assets still owns the club, rather than the company that manages €10 billion in assets. It's almost as if they are investigating AC Milan as a way to blatantly deny Inter's harsh financial reality.

Inter's reality, but sure, let's investigate AC Milan.

Podcast: The State of Milan

While people have been assessing the state of things, I asked longtime guest of the podcast Pete to return and discuss the current state of Milan. On the State of Pioli, we also had a rebuttal from Katie Britt of Alabama (bet y'all didn't know she was a Milan fan.) But mostly, we discussed the recent Milan matches, Pioli's tenuous position at the club, the possibility of summer transfers and even the latest scandal to hit Milan (or at least what the media wants us to think is a scandal.)

Where exactly does Pioli stand?

Verona 1, Milan 3: Fortitude

Earlier this season, Milan struggled to string together a few wins in the league, let alone to win in Serie A after playing a midweek match, too. Yet now Milan have won three league matches in a row, while playing two Europa League matches less than 72 hours before their past two games. This 3-1 win away to Hellas Verona demonstrated that not only can Milan manage to pull out results with some rotation of players, they have the mentality to win even with tired legs. We are witnessing a new mental fortitude.

Milan's mentality leaving opposition like...

Verona-Milan Preview: Unyielding Force

After a couple of poor results in the league, Milan answered with back to back wins in Serie A and qualifying for the Quarterfinals of the Europa League with back to back wins vs. Slavia Praha. Yet once again, they are called upon to play another match less than 72 hours after their match in Prague. Traveling to Verona is never easy, so Milan will need to stay focused if we want to win against Verona again. With one foot into the international break, they need to maintain an unshakable mentality and prove that they are an unyielding force.

Pioli's infamous mentality is needed now more than ever.

SK Slavia Praha 1, Milan 3: Banished

After last week's match at San Siro, when Slavia Praha were forced to play on 10 men for over an hour, I had really wanted this one to be different. It started with some brilliant coreografia from Slavia Praha Ultras that read, "In the heart of Eden, we cast out the Devil." (Their stadium is also known as Eden Stadium, built in a district called Eden.) However, that was very short lived, as their captain was sent off after just 16 minutes this time, leaving his team a task of biblical proportions in which il Diavolo easily conquered. Milan defeated Slavia 3-1 in this match, with an overall score of 7-3 on aggregate, sending the Rossoneri into the Europa League Quarterfinals and leaving Slavia Praha banished.

A relaxed win to progress to the Quarterfinals.

Europa League Round of 16 • SK Slavia Praha-AC Milan Preview: All On the Line

Milan travel to Prague on Thursday in an attempt to finish what they started. However, they will be in hostile territory, facing a tough team who gave them more than they expected with only 10 men last week. Despite scoring as many goals on Slavia Praha last week in their 4-2 win as the Czech side had conceded in their entire Europa League Group Stage, Milan also conceded two impressive goals while the visitors were down a man. So how does this one play out? Can Milan overcome themselves and assert their economic and skilled advantages? Or will the home team demonstrate that heart and desire mean more than big names and paychecks? Only one team can progress, so the outcome of Thursday's match will be decisive with it all on the line.

Ready to battle to the end for qualification to the next round.

Milan 1, Empoli 0: In Control

Despite having played a difficult Europa League match less than 72 hours ahead of this match, Milan showed up and never really left any doubt with their performance in their 1-0 win over Empoli, even missing key players and facing a team desperate for points. With Leão and Florenzi suspended, and Pioli giving some rest to players like Giroud, Adli, and Kjaer, for once, there was intensity and focus for much of the match, only allowing Empoli two shots on target the entire match. For a match with such quick turnaround after the home match vs. Slavia Praha, for once, this Milan were in control.

United in purpose.

Milan-Empoli Preview: Times Have Changed

After a surprisingly unsatisfying 4-2 win over Slavia Praha in the Europa League on Thursday, Milan host 14th place Empoli at San Siro on Sunday evening. When Milan faced Empoli just two short months ago in their house, they were in 19th place, they had a different manager, and even had some differences in their squad. And Milan won that match, part of a strong run of form since the turn of the year. But everything is different now. And Milan played a tough match less than 72 hours before kickoff of this match. This clash will be completely different, because times have changed.

A job well done in January, but it will take a concerted team effort to win again on Sunday.

AC Milan 4, SK Slavia Praha 2: The Power of 10

Coming into this match, Pioli spoke confidently of their preparations, but once the match kicked off, Milan did not seem so prepared. Perhaps it was the referee, who made some controversial early calls. But Slavia Praha playing on 10 men for more than an hour seemed to only empower them, not weaken them. Sure, they will be exhausted, and they may have an injury or two from playing so hard, but even Milan's 4-2 win over Slavia did not feel like a victory with such a gutsy performance from the visiting Czech side. Players postmatch denied that they underestimated Slavia, but the match looked like maybe they did. Certainly, they surprised everyone with the power of 10.

Thanking the fans for their support after a difficult win.

Europa League Round of 16 • AC Milan-SK Slavia Praha Preview: Battle Plan

Thursday at the San Siro, Milan continue their quest for Europa League glory by hosting an in form SK Slavia Praha. Having finally won a favorable draw after the Champions League Group of Death this season, Milan could have faced either German Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen or the second place team in the Czech First League, SK Slavia Praha. While this will still be a difficult match, Milan do have a better chance at advancing to the next round if they can maintain focus and play their game against the Czech side. It will all depend on whether or not Milan can successfully execute the battle plan.

Our warriors ready for European battle.

Lazio 0, Milan 1: Referee Gone Wild

This has been a horrible week for refereeing in Serie A. Sunday, Orsato and Irrati paired up for some creative decisions that cost Milan two points against Atalanta. Midweek, there were a some controversial calls against Atalanta that favored Inter that was swept under the rug by the overwhelming final score. Friday at the Olimpico, Milan defeated Lazio 1-0, but Di Bello had a horror show with the cards. However, this is nothing new for Serie A. Ten years ago, I wrote about Refs Gone Wild, after another horror show by one Gianluca Rocchi, who is now the the Serie A referee designator. After ten years, and the additions of multiple forms of technology and rule changes meant to improving officiating in Serie A, Italian football is still regularly marred by a referee gone wild.

When your performance becomes a meme.

Lazio-Milan Preview: Capital Offense

Milan head to the Italian capital on Friday looking for three points against the eighth place Lazio side. After a great run of form in the league, Milan were left disappointed in their last two matches, and will be looking to take all three points at the Stadio Olimpico. Despite a fantastic offensive performance and holding Atalanta to only three shots on target on Sunday, some questionable refereeing once again left the scoreline lacking for Milan, while Lazio were completely overrun by Fiorentina on Monday. So, on Friday, Milan will be hoping for better refereeing and the perfect offensive performance in the capital.

Going to the capital to score goals.

Milan 1, Atalanta 1: Referees, Rage, and Conspiracies

The referee should never be the center of attention. The calls a referee makes should support the game, not change the outcome. And VAR was created to decrease the margin of human errors, not highlight them. Yet this match, despite having some of the most experienced referees in Italy, who have worked UEFA matches and World Cup matches, was decided by poor refereeing, inappropriate use of VAR, and a referee who became the talking point instead of a team who came back from a tough Thursday night away match and played a very convincing match in front of over 70,000 fans. That this was the second match in a row against this same opponent that this happened only increases the amount of indignation and rage toward the referees. And it is impossible, given the number of times this has happened to Milan, as well as the number of favorable calls a certain rival has received, to not develop certain conspiracies. Yet the biggest crime is that none of this is about the actual football.

How did this fantastic performance only earn a point?

Milan-Atalanta Preview: Sunday Bloody Sunday

For the third time this season, Milan will face off against our other Nerazzurri nemesis, Atalanta. Milan fans will remember the "galvanizing" (read: soul stealing) 5-0 Christmas massacre Milan suffered back in 2019. It was like in those movies when the main character loses every single member of his family and everything important to him, and spends the rest of the movie getting stronger and exacting a very painful revenge against those who destroyed his life. That loss created the mentality that drove Milan to their return to the Champions League, then their Scudetto victory, and the Champions League Semifinal this past season. However this season, we have once again fallen victims to Atalanta, with a 3-2 loss in December in Bergamo, and referee Di Bello helping them knock us out of the Coppa Italia with a 2-1 win in January at San Siro. So this one will not be pretty. Either Milan show up and exact a revenge, or we once again fall victim to our Kryptonite from Bergamo. Whichever way it goes, it is undoubtedly going to be a Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Whomever ends up taking on Atalanta, they will be ready for battle.

Stade Rennais FC 3, AC Milan 2: Hospitality

Milan are through to the Europa League Round of 16 by virtue of having gone into this match with a 3-0 win over Rennes last week. So, in spite of Rennes' valiant 3-2 home victory over Milan on Thursday, Milan took the tie with a score of 5-3 on aggregate. In addition to the remarkable fighting spirit and overall strong performance by the seventh place Ligue 1 team that won the match today, though, was an even more remarkable display of hospitality. In stark contrast to the horrible Ultra behavior, and sometimes even warfare with police and rival Ultras that often accompanies European fixtures, Rennes offered Milan fans free galettes-saucisses, a local specialty, ahead of the fixture in France. Rivalry was replaced with beautiful hospitality.

When you still win in a loss.

Podcast: Uncharacteristic Optimism, Anniversary Edition

This week marked the thirteenth anniversary of the Milan Obsession Blog and the eleventh anniversary of the Milan Obsession Podcast. To help mark the occasion and help recap recent matches and discuss all things Milan, I invited Sal from the Curva Mundial Podcast back on. We took a quick trip down memory lane, talked about the amazing new fourth kits from Los Angeles streetwear company PLEASURES, then talked about recent matches and the current state of Milan, and more.

The LA designed fourth kits are a sign that things are looking up.

Monza 4, Milan 2: Comedy of Errors

Humor is a great coping mechanism in the face of tragedy, and apparently, our team believes this as well. From Pioli's squad rotation that went one rotation too many, to the defensive errors of a young player just coming back from injury, to a player wanting in on Milan's red hot red card action this season, the tragedy turned farcical. All of which were impacted by a freak accident involving two Monza players as well as a freakishly long stoppage in play to treat them. And, despite Pioli doing well to compensate for and correct the errors, as well as some killer instincts that got Milan back into the game, a couple of heartbreaking late goals turned this match into a travesty as Monza finally got a 4-2 win over Milan. Some people are angry, that is their choice, but if you step back and look at how absurd the events of this match were, you could also choose to laugh at the actual comedy of errors.

Giroud is all of us after this one.

Monza-Milan Preview: Into the Light

Last week, in their match vs. Napoli, Milan debuted their new fourth kit, "Out of the Shadows" by Los Angeles Streetwear designer PLEASURES. The outfield players wore the black kits, and Maignan wore the white kit. Sunday, against Monza, they will wear the opposite. And opposite is what Monza will be hoping for. Because they have not been able to get a win against Milan since their promotion to Serie A, not even in last summer's Trofeo Silvio Berlusconi friendly. But Milan have scored in every match in 2024, and have won nine league matches in a row dating back to our home match against Monza in December (plus their midweek Europa League match.) It is almost as if their entire season has come "out of the shadows" and into the light.

Now that Leão scored midweek, will everyone let him just be Leão again?