Milan-Lazio Preview: Sorry, Not Sarri

Coming down from the Derby high, Milan must stay grounded as Le Aquile (the Eagles) fly into town. Well, maybe not fly. They are eighth in the table and had an awful summer due to a transfer ban imposed by poor financial management. Sarri, having returned this summer after more than a year away from coaching, has struggled to get Lazio off the ground and consistently winning. Which means that Allegri, especially with injuries is more likely to struggle against his team. Normally, I would feel bad for a team in a bind like this, but it's Lazio. Sorry, not Sarri.

The team that stays together will win... I think.

Inter 0, Milan 1: Owning the Derby

No one has ever gotten younger watching Max Allegri's football. His "corto muso" style of winning ages you. However, the man also has not lost a Derby since 2015, either. And that did not change on Sunday, when Inter were owned with a 1-0 Milan win in the Nerazzurri's home Derby. They tried groin-kicking, hair-pulling, elbowing our players in the face, groping them when they were down, and more... typical Inter antics that went unpunished. The goalposts denied them. And even when given a penalty, their feeble minds could not handle it. With just one goal, Milan put Inter in their place, which was certainly not first place. Even our Curva Sud fans stole focus from Inter, shining a light on the strength of our fans. And that is what we call owning the Derby.

Sodalizio Rossonero.

Inter vs. Milan Preview: A Derby to Call Our Own

This Derby will be different than any Derby della Madonnina in the past 90 years, as it will be the first Derby held in a San Siro owned by Milan and Inter instead of the municipality of Milano. With the deed having been turned over earlier this month, there is literal ownership of this match. Unfortunately, it is an Inter home Derby, so they will reap the financial benefits as well as have the support of the "home" crowd. And even more unfortunately, the local authorities still seem to be playing for the Marotta League, as they imposed a last minute ban on Milan Curva Sud's main banner. An absurd restriction, considering that it was Inter and their Curva Nord who were proven to have been completely infiltrated and the stadium run by mafia families on their matchdays, not Milan, the supposed reason for the whole Double Curva investigation. After more than a year of unfair bans and sanctions, Milan fans just want a Derby to call our own.

Last year, Gabbia made Inter's Derby our own with a late winner.

Parma 2, Milan 2: Hat Trick of Dropped Points

Allegri's Milan have now faced all three newly promoted sides. And they have dropped points to each team. From the loss to Cremonese, last month's draw with Pisa, and now the 2-2 draw with Parma on Saturday, they have lost seven points from the nine available. The first one was the first match of the season, then against Pisa, he was missing important players. But there wasn't really any justification for dropping points this time, he had most of his players healthy and arguably a much better squad than Parma. Is Allegri simply cursed? This match completed Milan's newly promoted opponent hat trick of dropped points.

I doubt anyone warned Modrić about Allegri's impotence with the newly promoted sides.

Parma-Milan Preview: The Curse of Allegri

Allegri has enjoyed the implicit, perhaps even glorified endorsement of the Italian media since his return to AC Mlan. Except when it comes to playing newly promoted sides. His first match and singular loss this season was to newly promoted side Cremonese. The second newly promoted side faced, Pisa, cost Allegri two points, and nearly three. Saturday, Milan travel to face the third and final newly promoted team, Parma. With nearly all of his players back, will he finally be able to orchestrate a convincing win? Particularly with Parma missing so many players of their own? Or will Milan struggle once again, and drop points because of the curse of Allegri?

Allegri consults Landucci on how to break the curse of the little teams that could.

Milan 1, Roma 0: Reluctant Gladiators

Playing against Roma is always a battle, but sometimes more combative than one would like. This match was definitely far more action-packed than the scoreline would indicate, and much of that action ended up being less about football and more about brutality. However, at the final whistle, Milan won 1-0 over Roma in a very hard fought victory with unlikely heroes. And, despite Roma's best efforts, I believe all our players escaped injury, which is another victory in and of itself. It was the kind of match that was violent enough to be unsettling, but a victory that meant more later because of both the battle and the result. That can happen when your team are called upon to be reluctant Gladiators.

Winning when it matters.

Milan-Roma Preview: For the Money

Just a month ago, Milan had defeated Napoli to go top of the table. Since then, they have had three draws, dropping six valuable points. Now, they are fighting just to stay in the top four as they host Roma, who come into this weekend joint top of the table themselves. For Milan fans, this match is a tough sporting challenge, complicated by the numerous injuries the squad have been dealing with. However, for Cardinale, Sunday is a marketing opportunity. A chance for his €1.3 billion marquee investment to help promote a product of his €1.8 billion investment in a struggling media and entertainment company. For Gerald, this one is for the money.

It's not about the football, it's about the billionaire getting more money.

Atalanta 1, Milan 1: Every Day is Like Halloween

Another draw, the second in a row. At least a 1-1 draw to Atalanta in Bergamo is not as shocking to the sensibilities as last Friday's draw with bottom of the table Pisa. However, it is becoming more clear just how thin this squad is and how much the injuries are impacting results. Ahead of the match, Tare said, "It wasn't expected that six players would get injured during an international break." But clearly, he has not actually followed Milan, or Allegri, for that matter, over the years. Injuries are the only thing that Milan has been consistent with over the past decade or two. Like the walking wounded or a bad zombie show, at Milanello, every day is like Halloween.

One moment of brilliance was not enough for those who were not injured.