I thought
I had seen it all… the Curva Sud marring Maldini’s farewell forever… fans
surrounding both Milan’s and Genoa’s busses and then threatening our players
with sticks… the ridiculously excessive abuse of Montolivo by fans who don’t
even know why they hate him, they’re just parroting what everyone else is
saying. But this takes the cake. Shoving a 24 year-old player’s parents and
threatening and insulting him in a parking garage while they simply tried to go
home? Why? Because of rumors. Two newspapers with absolutely
no credibility reported that De Sciglio is going to Juventus. Like they’ve done
for over a year now. The difference being, I guess, the takeover? I don’t know.
What they did was so morally reprehensible. And yet the fact that they did it
because of completely unfounded rumors… I don’t even know where to begin.
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| He's played for Milan longer than many of those who criticize him have "supported" the club |
De
Sciglio has had an interesting career at Milan. He was the first youth player
to be called up straight to the first team since Paolo Maldini. His early success
and perhaps his playing position also caused people to compare him to the Milan
legend, which perhaps led to the excessive criticism when he had some injuries
and a bit of a psychological slump. Not even being awarded Serie A left back of
the year in 2013 (although he is a natural right back) could stave off the
critics.
At his young
age, one would think that all of that is hard enough to deal with. But then the
rumors would begin. Every year, he would be linked to more clubs. Juventus have
been after him for years. More so since Allegri moved there and has repeatedly
and consistently asked for him. De Sciglio has been true to Milan for all five
of the past years of decay and uncertainty within the club. Coming back
stronger after injuries and fighting harder every time. His loyalty and
dedication have earned him not only 108 appearances for Milan in the nearly six
years since he was promoted, but also he has received 31 caps for the Italy
national team in less than four years as well.
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| He was the best in Serie A in 2013 at a position that wasn't even his natural one |
So much
turnover at Milan means that with almost six years in the senior squad, he is
third in line to wear the captain’s armband. And I mean rightfully, not like
Montolivo the Usurper™, who came to Milan a full year later than De Sciglio.
But now these Milan “fans” are trying to take that away from him, too, using
the hashtag online of “#LiberaLaFascia.” First of all, after that despicable
assault on De Sciglio and his family, those people should be in jail. The rest
of them are no better than the Ultra who insulted Maldini. In fact, they are
worse, because they don’t even have the courage to say what they want in
person, they are hiding behind their keyboards in their pathetic little
basements.
And all
of this because of rumors. Freaking rumors. They’re not even
waiting for actual news anymore. Literally nothing has been confirmed by the
player, his agent, the club, or even reputable news sources. De Sciglio met
with Mirabelli on Monday, where reports again put him exiting the club this
summer. And after Sunday night, I can’t blame him. A product of our youth
system, someone who could become a bandiera. He was quiet, didn’t party or
cause problems in the squad or off the pitch. He’s lasted through more coaches
than years he has played. His worst game was still better than the best game of
so many players we’ve endured. He’s incredibly talented, still young, and his finest
days are undoubtedly ahead of him.
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| More right to the armband than even our "captain." |
He has
also stayed long enough to see the sale of the club and to meet the new
management and gauge whether or not it’s a project he wants to be a part of. If
he had decided he doesn’t, then he’s not alone. Maldini also made that same
decision, but no one sat around drinking and smoking in a carport late at night
waiting to attack him. And he would have been a much more essential part of the
club than just a single player.
There is
still a chance De Sciglio stays. The club certainly seems to want to keep him.
But after this week, why would he stay? What happens if the newspapers report
him leaving again? Are they coming to his house? Will they also assault his
girlfriend, too? How can he feel safe when these maniacal “fans” will attack
him and his family for literally nothing
that he did? If I were him, I’d leave, too. And I do not want him to go to Juventus.
But Juve, even with its fairweather fans, is like a paradise compared to this
asylum of “supporters.”
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| He's won trophies both real and fake, even if the "fans" don't remember that |
Even if
it’s all true and he’s in talks with Juve or any other club, nothing can
justify these Milan fans’ behavior. Nothing. Who died and made them the
judge and jury of who is worthy to wear the armband? As if that’s not the most
morally ironic question ever. Given their pathetic behavior based on an even
more absurd premise, they should all be turned over to an actual judge and
jury. If De Sciglio leaves, it will be as much their fault, if not more, than
the player’s. Who knows what his original intentions were before being attacked
this week? No one but him. That’s who. Which makes it that much more insane that they
took to such lowlife actions. And for what? Was that supposed to make him stay
at the club? No matter what De Sciglio decides, I have nothing but respect for
him, especially for all he’s endured. It would be a crime if he leaves, he won't be easy to replace. But the real dilemma is how to deal with
these deplorable delinquent “fans” both online and in the carport. Because
Milan will never be a successful club again with losers like that imposing
their own depraved sense of justice on our players. Especially when their assumptions are based on
fiction. That is the De Sciglio dilemma.
This post was
inspired by the music of New Politics “One Of Us”
Our next match is
Crotone vs. Milan
April 30 • 15:00 CST
(9am EDT)
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