There are many factors that have contributed to the amazing
transformation between the Milan squad of May and the Milan squad of August.
Obviously, the addition by subtraction of a number of poor quality of players
is one factor. And the actual addition of some quality players is another big one,
as well as the massive gesture from management to actually invest in a transfer
market again. But the singular most powerful cause of the transformation is Mister Mihajlovic.
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| His leadership is visible and tangible, and the squad have actively chosen to follow |
In his presentation press conference, we saw him use
carefully chosen but well spoken language to communicate very clearly but
powerfully. And when his boss and owner of the club, former prime minister and
billionaire Silvio Berlusconi tried to interrupt him, we saw him stand up to
him in a way that was classy but also got the message across: don’t interrupt
me. He was powerfully humble in his appeal to the fans, then sealed the deal
with a quote from Milan’s founder. This showed he was willing to do his
homework and that he cared enough to show respect for the fans, too.
Next we saw him forging the players like molten steel by
putting them through punishing double training sessions. But the players didn’t
complain, because he wasn’t breaking them psychologically with the hard work,
he had already earned their trust and respect. Not only did they gain physical
fitness and strength, but their mentality was strengthened, too, and they were
becoming a team. And then, after all of their hard work, he invited them all to
dinner and paid for it, even though many of them make more money than he does.
It was a gesture that ensured their respect.
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| Neither rain nor stifling humidity nor anything else will stop his training sessions |
Then came the friendlies. Shaky at first, then stronger,
then with some disappointment, and then even stronger. He gave everyone time to
prove themselves, and while he was obviously developing a starting eleven, he
was also looking at every player and every pairing. He never apologized for his
choices, only encourages players to work harder to earn their spot. Then there
started this sneaking suspicion that he was actually considering utilizing some
younger players in more than just the friendlies. As in very young. And on
Monday, in our first competitive match, he did.
If he didn’t already have the trust and faith of the Milan
fans, I think that sealed the deal. That is, for those who were not already
able to see the miraculous transformations throughout the rest of the squad.
There is belief and unity and hunger that we haven’t seen in a long time. There
is also a quality of football that we haven’t seen in a long time, too. Most
prominently on display is the ability to actually defend. Not by waiting until
the ball gets to the back four and hoping they can work miracles, but by
everyone being attentive, passing more clinically, and utilizing possession
more effectively.
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| He's not afraid to give a player a kick in the butt if they need it. |
And speaking of effectiveness, how about his press
conferences? We win a game 2-0 and he is quick to point out that the players
did well and gave up nothing, but also quick to point out that they didn’t take
advantage of the other team being on ten men. Not lambasting them or shaming
them for their mistakes, nor letting them get too full of themselves for the
win, just putting his expectations out there and letting them know that they
can do better. He also called out the fans for whistling their own player
during a match. He let them know they could do it afterward if the performance
was poor, but not during. He’s not afraid to call anyone out, but does it with
class, and with the respect he’s already earned by hard work and tangible
results.
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| His "big personality" commands respect, but he never tries to just take the respect |
It is early to claim that we will win the Scudetto, and we
may not always feel so positive about everything Mihajlovic does. But that is
not what this post is about, it is about the massive transformation that has
occurred in such short time in our squad, both mentally and physically. That transformation
has definitely happened with changes in a number of ways, but Mihajlovic has
absolutely been the most powerful force in changing the mentality of the team,
the fans, and management. Not only does he say the perfect things, but he
embodies those words and has managed to actually do what he said he would, to
actually get this squad to execute his ideas. Whatever happens during the
season, he is starting us all off with a positive mentality and the good
football to justify it. That is a transformation we have all been waiting for.
This post inspired by the music of
The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations”
Our next match is
Serie A Round 1
Fiorentina vs. Milan
Sunday, August 23 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)