Milan 3, Verona 0: Surprise Party

Sometimes, just when you expect the worst, Allegri's Milan will surprise you. Winning 3-0 vs. Verona for a lunchtime game on Sunday was definitely a pleasant surprise. A Nkunku brace, a clean sheet, and another goal for Pulisic, as well as a dominant performance were all part of the festivities. A shame the Curva Sud are still being restricted on their coreografia and banners, because all parties need colorful decorations, and they certainly provided a loud and supportive soundtrack throughout the match. And while Verona never really showed up for Milan's bash, it was still a very welcome surprise party.

Nkunku's brace was an open invitation to celebrate.

Milan-Verona Preview: Lunch With Allegri

For as much as many people seem enamored with Allegri as a character, his character has already gotten him into trouble three times this season. More importantly, his struggles against newly promoted or lower table teams are well documented. Worse still, Hellas Verona have won their last two matches, so come into this match in good form. Add on the key injured players we have out, and it's enough to give you indigestion. Just in time for an early match, which Milan notoriously struggle with anyway. So even for those who appreciate Allegri's "personality,"  I doubt they are looking forward to this lunch with Allegri.

Honestly, my appetite is already spoiled when I see his face.

Napoli 2, Milan 0: You Get What You Pay For

Was it the injuries to Milan's already incredibly thin squad? The referee who acted like he was in Saudi Arabia for a vacation? Or Conte's superior record vs. Allegri? Allegri's focus on taunting Conte's assistant? Or Napoli's desire to avenge the loss we inflicted upon them in the league? Or maybe it was a combination of any of those things or something else entirely, but Milan lost to Napoli 2-0 in the Supercoppa semifinal. And at the end of the day, with €9.5 million available to the winners of the tournament, but only €2.4 million paid to participate, you get what you pay for.

A winning team needs more players. Football 101.

Supercoppa Semifinal • Napoli vs. Milan: Authentic Champions

Milan are the reigning Supercoppa champions. In January, they lifted the trophy in Riyadh amidst a very turbulent season. However, that was an entirely different team. Different manager and staff, and only nine players remain from that team. So in a way, they come into this match more like the other teams, even if the trophy sits in Casa Milan. Napoli, on the other hand, come to Riyadh as the reigning Serie A champions, and unlike Milan, they have the same manager and much the same team as lifted that trophy in May. So this match is not only a semifinal to see which team plays for the next trophy on Monday, but it is also a test for authentic champions.

Remember that Milan team of... January?

Milan 2, Sassuolo 2: We Have An Allegri Problem

If something happens once, it can be written off. If it happens again, it is worthy of notice. But if it happens three or more times, it is a problem, and cannot be ignored. Allegri has this Milan performing remarkably well, particularly in light of the very thin squad and the injuries we have faced. However, dropping points yet again to a newly promoted side with this 2-2 draw with Sassuolo is a huge red flag for our season. Because most of our dropped points have come against these sides which we should (on paper) be dominating. Each match has its own list of issues, but since it keeps happening, we have an Allegri problem.

No striker? No problem. Bartesaghi opened his account with a brace.

Milan-Sassuolo Preview: Allegri's Nightmare Before Christmas

The last time Allegri was Milan's manager, it was a 4-3 loss to Sassuolo away that got him sacked. Even though that was almost 12 years ago now, I find it hard to believe that this fact has not crossed his mind. Worse still, having dropped points against the other newly promoted sides, he must be concerned about the team losing focus and dropping points again. Particularly with Fabio Grosso's side doing so well this season. However, the last time he faced Sassuolo on the Milan bench, it was Berardi who scored four against Milan, and gratefully for us, Berardi is injured. So, while there is hope, this could easily still be Allegri's Nightmare Before Christmas.

Allegri's last panettone at Milan, just before he was sacked.

Torino 2, Milan 3: Burning Up

In a match where everyone expected Milan to drop points again to Torino, the unthinkable happened. First, Milan found themselves down 2-0 in less than 20 minutes. Then Rabiot decided to score his first Milan goal against his former cross city rivals in the most spectacular of ways. And when push came to shove, an unexpected hero – the player who was not even expected to play due to having a fever – came on and turned the entire match upside down in just 10 minutes. And, just like that, Milan defeated Torino 3-2, their first win over the Granata in Turin since the Scudetto season. Back then, Pioli was on fire, now Milan are just destroying dreams, even when they're burning up.

Torino's former captain and our feverish hero.

Torino-Milan Preview: Get In, Get the Win, Go Home

Much is being made of a stat that someone cherry picked to cover our last 12 matches away to Torino, showing that we have only won once during that period. No one mentions that six of the matches were draws, or that three of the five losses were just by a single goal. And no one is talking about that win, when we went to Turin and destroyed their souls with a 7-0 defeat they may never come back from (and also may never forgive us for – eternal revenge.) Also no one is talking is that with Cardinale's buy-a-whole-new-team-every-season-plan, those were literally all different teams. And while Allegri himself will not be on the bench for this one, it seems the guys played better for Landucci before anyway. So I think the guys just shrug off all of these sill stats and just get in, get the win, and go home.

The only thing they have to fear is... stats and media noise. They can do this.

Lazio 1, Milan 0: Insidious Failure

Many fans are justifying Milan's 1-0 loss to Lazio Thursday and consequently abrupt exit from the Coppa Italia as acceptable, given the primary objective this season is a return to the Champions League. While finishing top four is definitely the number one target, going deep again or even winning the Coppa Italia was another objective, particularly given the lack of European competition this season. Given that Milan are the reigning Supercoppa champions and Coppa Italia finalists from last season, not only is being eliminated in the Round of 16 completely humiliating, it is a complete failure with hidden consequences that most fans do not seem to be able to see or acknowledge at this point of the season. This was a winnable match that Allegri did not seem to take seriously enough, and while some are blaming the referee again, the bottom line is that it was an insidious failure.

Allegri even dressed like he has entered his villain era.

Coppa Italia Round of 16 • Lazio-Milan Preview: Allegri's Test

Saturday's Serie A match at the San Siro vs. Lazio was a preview for this one. However, there is actually more on the line in this match for Allegri at this point in the season. Not playing in Europe suddenly makes the Coppa Italia a more serious competition for him to at least progress in, if not do well or even win this season. And Lazio are a tough opponent to meet at this stage, too, as we saw on Saturday. Plus, they are in the Round of 16 because of their success last season. Milan, even after making it to the Final and winning the Supercoppa last season, had to play two qualifying matches. Being knocked out would now would be beyond embarrassing. And, with him having a vacation day on Monday after being sent off (again), he needs to make a good showing in this match. Because it's a win or go home scenario, so it will be Allegri's test.

Allegri has had the balls to play young Bartesaghi in place of experienced Estupiñan, he can handle this.

Milan 1, Lazio 0: Descent Into Madness

Saturday's match was a typical Allegri match. Battle... blah blah blah... score one goal... defend, defend, defend. All the way into stoppage time. But Lazio were not going to let that happen, they always bring the chaos and the drama. So, in the 96th minute, the match quickly descended into a complete and utter chaotic mess that included two straight red cards, a non-penalty call, and 14 minutes of stoppage time. They are blaming the referee team, and giving credit to the head referee for finally getting things under control. However, Milan's 1-0 win over Lazio could not possibly be only on them. If you saw the match, you'll know that it was an overall descent into madness.

The wall of Milan who provide calm in the chaos.