Podcast: International Broken

Usually it seems like there isn’t as much going on during international breaks for Milan fans. But despite having fewer players called up than we have in a long time, there is actually a lot to talk about. And it’s not just Milan’s performances or even the players who were called up by their national teams. The Curva Sud are still demanding answers and there are changes being made in Serie A, too. And yet it still kind of feels like instead of a just an International break, things everywhere in Italy are just simply broken.

Conte's only two fans and Milan's only two Italian players originally called up this break

Gunnar Nordahl: Il Cannoniere

During this International break, I thought it might be interesting to take a look back at a Milan legend who gave up his right to represent his country in order to sign with Milan. If you’ve ever heard of the epic Gre-No-Li trio, he was the “No” in the Gre-No-Li. He is also the only player still to have won the capoconnoniere (top scorer) title five times in Serie A. So many goals, so many records, from such humble beginnings. Like other legendary players and coaches, Gunnar Nordahl is permanently etched into Milan history. In fact, he is known in Serie A as “Il Cannoniere,” or the gunner.

A giant of a man, a legend of a player

International Call of Duty

For anyone claiming that this side has more quality than Allegri’s sides, their International teams would beg to differ, even considering injuries. While this is probably the lowest number of international callups from Milan I can remember for some time, we do still have a few proud players representing their countries during this international break.

Luckily Conte hasn't watched Cerci this season so he still go the callup

Ask Not What Milan Can Do For You, Ask What You Can Do For Milan

The Curva Sud go to every match, wave their flags, bring clever banners, make amazing coreo for all to see, then sing and chant for 90 minutes to try to lift their team to victory. Well…. almost every match. Because, you see, sometimes they feel a little entitled, and want to put their agenda ahead of supporting their team. We all have been frustrated in recent years and can understand why they might ask for something in return for their sacrifices. But there is no contract to being a fan. Their support is not solicited, they chose to do those things, to spend their time and their money, and the club never promised them anything in return. As a fan, you either support your team through thick and thin, or you don’t. On Sunday, the Curva Sud didn’t. And although their presence was missed by all of the players and others, it was the members of the Curva Sud who missed out the most. Which begs the question… what is the role of a fan in these dark times? I present to you an unpopular view: Ask not what Milan can do for you, ask what you can do for Milan.

Love and devotion should be in good times and in bad

Milan 3, Cagliari 1: With or Without You

Milan are the new Relegation Beaters™. Milan have only won three Serie A matches this calendar year, and they have all been against the three teams in the relegation zone. Today’s match came at an important time, though, as fans and the media have built expectations and disappointments into such a frenzy, one that has greatly impacted the morale of the team as well as fans all over the world. So the decisive 3-1 win was a welcome distraction from all of the rumors and negativity surrounding the club. And they even pulled off the win without the Curva Sud, the fans who claim to support the team but missed a decent game tonight so that they could go get their pedicures or whatever. That’s right, Curva Sud, Milan will find a way to win on the pitch with or without you.

A reason to celebrate, too bad some people didn't come to the party

Milan-Cagliari Preview: The Smoking Gun

As if either team’s fans weren’t aware of the season they’ve fallen victim to, Saturday night’s showdown features two coaches whose futures are also suspect. With Cagliari in the relegation zone, 4 points behind 17th and Milan in a shameful 10th place, tied with next week’s opponent, both teams will be desperate to grab the three points. But win, lose, or draw, come Sunday morning in the media and for the fans, it will be the coaches who will be the smoking gun.

Will Smoking Man be the smoking gun?

The Coaching Conundrum

First there was Conte. After undermining and then firing Seedorf last season, Milan let it slip out that Inzaghi was not their first choice last summer, and that Conte had agreed to terms with the club before waiting it out for the National Team. So it was inevitable that when Inzaghi’s Milan started to slip, that more rumors would begin. Amongst the forerunners, Fiorentina’s Montella, who has been linked by the press to Milan so many times in the past, but has always denied any approach from Milan. And then Conte again, as his results with Italy have been lacking. So with a shortage of options, the press quickly grabbed onto the news that Milan had inquired about Empoli’s Maurizio Sarri. But is he really the man Milan need?

It's lonely at the top... even lonelier in 10th place

Fiorentina 2, Milan 1: Rainy Days and Mondays

It kind of seems like Milan have been all “Rainy Days and Mondays” all season long. What started as a bizarre comedy has turned into a downward spiral that is now just like a giant black hole. Or at least that’s how my heart feels after watching Milan play. It gets so hard to even see anything good anymore, even though there usually are positives. They are just overshadowed by journalists rallying the cry for Pippo’s head and social media following them like mindless drones. But even if you can look past all of the senseless noise, it’s downright depressing to be a Milan fan this year. So the rain in Florence was very appropriate tonight as Milan gave up another lead, at least this time to a team above us on the table.

Contrary to popular belief, the minute of silence was not to mourn Milan's season. (it was for a ref who died, people)

Fiorentina vs. Milan: Monday Night Football

Sorry, Gatorade. This team needs a different kind of fuel

Fiorentina-Milan Preview: Second Chances

Less than two years ago, Fiorentina’s Champions League qualification spot was left up to fate, or more specifically a particular Milan team and Fiorentina's Tuscan rivals, Siena. In that last game of the 2012-13 season, Milan were awarded a soft penalty to equalize, both teams were on ten men, and then Mexes of all people scored the winner to give Milan the coveted third place instead of Fiorentina. The controversy was voiced quite loudly by Viola supporters, as they claimed their rivals threw the game, having nothing to lose, and accused Milan of getting too many penalties, the ref of foul play, amongst other things. But Monday they could possibly get a second chance at a third place spot, not ironically by taking down the team that “stole” their third place finish two years ago. But then again, Milan could use a second chance or two these days, too.

De Jong scored against Fiorentina in October, but he's injured now... will someone else step up?

What is Going On With Paletta’s Hair?

With the poor performances and results so far in 2015 for Milan, and no Europe midweek for us either, there is very little actual Milan to discuss. I mean the Italian media are going insane with rumors of Inzaghi being sacked and who might replace him, or how Berlusconi has agreed to sell the club or even a minority share of it. But since none of those are confirmed by anyone with any credibility, I have decided to ask the question that has been on everyone’s mind now since the end of the mercato: What is going on with Paletta’s hair?

Yes, that is the face that he makes when he looks in the mirror

Poll: Customer Feedback

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                                                                                                            --NOT AC Milan

"Ahhh, the fans love me. I'm a rock star who brings them new world class players. You're welcome."

Milan 2, Verona 2: A Different Conversation

Another game, another draw… Wait, did you say draw? Oh yeah, we didn’t lose. But something tells me a loss would have had fans happier for some reason. Sure, Milan conceded a penalty, then came back to take the lead, and then conceded a goal in the dying seconds to drop points again to a club lower on the table than us (but not for long!) But like Inzaghi said in his press conference, had the game ended 10 seconds earlier, we would be having a different conversation.

Even hardened criminals deserve a little love sometimes

Milan-Verona Preview: Turning the Other Cheek

After the scoreless draw with Chievo Verona last week that felt more like being backhanded across the face, this week we turn the other cheek to welcome their rivals, Hellas Verona to the San Siro. Only this Verona club has a little more bite, even if their leading scorer is a bit long in the tooth. All I want from this match is for Milan to put up a fight instead of saying “Thank you, may I have another.” There’s a time to turn the other cheek, but not in a football match.

I'm already feeling pain

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Menez?

On the last podcast, I asked Derwuin to help me answer the burning question on so many fans’ minds: How do you solve a problem like Menez? We discussed it a little, and I’d love to hear more from you. But Derwuin also offered a little humorous take on the issue in visual form for you, too:

by the fabulous Derwuin Mendez

Podcast: So Anyway…

Since nothing is really happening on the pitch, there isn’t a lot of football to talk about. Especially without midweek games in Europe. And there isn’t much to talk about off the pitch, either. Milan is barely treading water, and as fans, it can be hard to find anything worth talking about that hasn’t already been said. But that didn’t stop us from trying. So anyway…

More noteworthy than anything happening on the pitch