This match has been debated since last summer, because our owners were not content with having traveled to Perth, Australia twice in two years. Due to the Olympic Opening Ceremony at San Siro, they wanted us to play a Serie A match on foreign soil for the first time, regardless of the logistics and fan protests and how it could negate the legitimacy of the entire season. But now, finally, we are here, and ready to take on Fabregas's Como. You know, the guy for whom Allegri's Milan of 2013 lives rent free in his head after we crushed his Barcelona side in the Champions League? But most importantly, we will not be in Australia, the place both team's wealthy owners wanted us to be, for some reason. So there will be no koala bears for Cardinale.
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| Gerald will just have to look at Ibrahimović's photo album from the last 2 trips. |
Speaking of Gerald Cardinale, he has been to Milano twice now in the past month or so, but has not been to an actual match at San Siro since September of 2024. But he will not stick around for this one. He typically flies in very specifically not around matchdays to conduct business about the stadium or something. This time, he actually attended his first Lega Serie A meeting. He has owned the club for nearly four years now, and this was the first time he went.
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| Gerald finally remembered where Milanello was again. |
If he actually cared about the fans, he would have pushed for the vote on a price cap for away fans, which the club finally got on the agenda back in December, even though it was supposed to be discussed in October. However, it was assigned to a committee, and was supposed to be voted on at the next meeting. This was part of the bargaining chip the club used to appease the Ultras to get them to cheer again after their silent protests at the beginning of the season brought so much negative attention to the management. Now do you see why those fans are so frustrated, as they continue to pay sometimes double the ticket prices and opposing teams increasingly limit available tickets well below the league minimums?
But no, Gerald was only at the meeting to talk about how to make more money. Seeing as how RedBird has a stake in Paramount/CBS, which has the broadcast rights for Serie A, he wanted to talk about changing the times of matches to better suit American audiences. He also spoke directly with League president Simonelli and CEO Di Siervo regarding infrastructure and international expansion. (He still wants those koala bears, probably.) Luckily, his idea to take this match abroad was thwarted, but I am sure he will not stop pushing for such an absurd concept.
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| Cardinale also found his way to his first Lega Serie A meeting after nearly 4 years. |
Como's billionaire owners were all for the Australia location, because it is closer to their Indonesian empire. But Como's manager was one of the first to voice concerns about it. I am not sure why the acrimony between Fabregas and Milan fans has become so strong so quickly. He has said a couple of douchey things, but nothing to warrant the hate I've seen for him.
But this past weekend, we learned the hate goes both ways, as Como fans lifted a banner at their match with Fiorentina that read, "Better one day as Fabregas than 100 days as Allegri." While I could not agree more, particularly when you compare playing careers, it's a strange banner to make when you are in seventh place and the team you are mocking is 12 points ahead of you in second. I don't know if Allegri has anything personal against Fabregas, either, but in his press conference, when asked about the banner, he simply dismissed it as a bit of banter. And he had nothing but kind things to say about Fabregas and Como, too.
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| Better career, better hair, and fewer scandals, sure, but why the acrimony? |
Fabregas's Como also had the shame of losing that match 2-1 to Fiorentina, one of only four wins for the Viola. Which was partially, perhaps, from being tired after knocking Conte's Napoli out of the Coppa Italia on penalties last week. But for the home loss to Fiorentina, Fabregas lined up a 4-2-3-1 with: Butez; Vojvoda, Ramón, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Kühn, Nico Paz, Baturina; and Douvikas. Our old pal Álvaro Morata played a cameo in that match, getting two yellows back to back and being sent off in the final minutes of that match, so will be suspended for this one. Fabregas will also be without Assane Diao and Goldaniga, who are both injured.
Allegri will only be missing Santi Gimenez to injury, as Saelemaekers has recovered and returned to training with the team. Allegri will controversially be without Rabiot, though, who was sent off for a double yellow as well in stoppage time on Friday by Fabbri. Sometimes I wonder what actually transpires, and what certain referees make up to cover their corruption, because what everyone saw on camera did not warrant either yellow, to be honest. The official statement from the sporting judge regarding his second yellow reads: "a second yellow for protesting the match officials and for misconduct toward an opponent." Was Rabiot's hair too full and luxurious for his opponent? We saw nothing to warrant either accusation.
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| Saelemaekers returns, this time he should be able to celebrate of his own accord. |
Fans have long wanted someone in management to stand up for our players against these ridiculous sanctions, and it seems we finally have someone. Igli Tare went out onto the pitch following the match to protest the referee's decision. Where did that get him? A €10,000 fine. I was telling a non-football fan about this weekend's events in Serie A, and they said it sounded like it was being run by a mafia boss. Marotta League, anyone? Even when they screw up, they continue to blame others. Ironically, La Penna, the referee for Inter-Juve this weekend, was meant to be our referee, but is gratefully being replaced by Mariani.
While Saelemaekers is recovered, he is unlikely to start, so Athekame is likely to start again. If you'll recall, when we played Como four weeks ago, Rabiot scored a brace to help us to a dominating 3-1 over the Lariani, so he will certainly be missed. Without Rabiot, Allegri will be shuffling his midfield around. It is reported that he could bring in both Jashari and Ricci to replace not only Rabiot, but also possibly Fofana.
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| We may be without Rabiot, but have they forgotten that we have other quality players? |
Whatever Allegri does, I am sure that Milan's 23 match unbeaten streak in the league looks very appealing to Fabregas after he made such a big deal about how Como made 750 passes to Milan's 200 passes last time. Wherever this manufactured acrimony came from, I am here for it if it fuels our team to win. The thing is, I don't think Milan cares like that. And with distractions from everywere, from the Olympics, to Koalas, corrupt referees to surprising banter, honestly I hope they can just focus on the match.
Obviously, one person who should be there won't, because he is all about the money, and he didn't get his way. Which begs the question, had the match been allowed to be played in Australia, would Gerald have shown up? We will never know, because gratefully, there will be no koalas for Cardinale.