The Calhanoglu Lens

This would have been called “The Suso Lens,” but Suso got sick of the abuse of Milan fans under that lens, and is now at Sevilla, as of yesterday. Social media won. #SusoOut. So the next obvious choice would be Calhanoglu: a player who has also seen much unwarranted abuse by fans, and at best is very underappreciated for his contributions on the pitch. People will say anything under the guise of personal opinion on social media, and maybe if it were just one person, it wouldn’t be problematic. But that’s never how it works. One person becomes thousands, it becomes a mob mentality, and then it directly impacts the players and their mentality. Unfair criticism and outrageous expectations are only part of the Calhanoglu Lens.

Criticized by fans on Tuesday even in his MOTM performance

Milan 4, Torino 2: Clutch

This game was important for reasons not related to our season. The tribute before the game to Kobe, Gianna, and the other seven victims tragically taken from us too soon set the tone for a match that had to be won. Not for Milan, not to get to the semifinals, but to honor one of the most famous Milan fans in the world. A man who built his career on being clutch.

For Kobe

Coppa Italia Quarterfinals • Milan-Torino Preview: Gutted

Sometimes, there are just no words. I have spent the day in denial and then in tears and then in denial again about the loss of NBA legend and lifelong Milan fan, Kobe Bryant, as well as the loss of his daughter and the other passengers aboard that helicopter. I watched Kobe his whole career, and watched him as a father, too, and saw the great things he had accomplished after retiring from basketball, as well. This one was just too close to home. I know that those of us left behind must keep going, but it doesn’t change the fact that I feel absolutely gutted.

Ciao, Kobe

Podcast: Midseason Girl’s Night

Milan are enjoying an increase and both mentality and results just in time for midseason player ratings, I guess they wanted higher numbers. So I called my favorite Milan female fan to have a girl’s night and rate the entire team and talk about everything else at Milan.

WARNING: shameless Rodriguez love included

Brescia 0, Milan 1: With Swallow’s Wings

Shakespeare wrote, “True hope is swift, and flies with swallow’s wings.” For Milan, that hope tonight flew at the expense of the swallow’s wings. Le Rondinelle (the little swallows) fought furiously at home, but it was Milan who went home with all three points. Which proved that if you have a 6’5” (1.96m) goalkeeper, it doesn’t matter how talented your little swallows are.

Our hope comes at Brescia's expense

Brescia-Milan Preview: Proving a Point

After winning a third match in a row on Sunday, Milan’s second league match in a row, emotions are much higher amongst fans these days. Friday’s match sees us take on the relegation-zone Brescia. This one is an away match, but with the confidence the team has, plus the wisdom of Pioli and the awesomeness of Ibra, fans can finally reasonably expect three points from this match. Nothing is ever certain, of course. But winning this one would definitely be proving a point.

How it feels to be Milan lately

Milan 3, Udinese 2: Intoxicating

This was a match that every other time in the past year, Milan would have lost. Every time. But not today. Maldini and Boban have shown that their initial plan of having a young, talented team complimented with a few more experienced players was exactly what was needed to stop the mental nose dive that Milan has been in for so long and create meaningful, memorable football. The kind of match that is simply intoxicating.

Intoxicating

Milan-Udinese Preview: Restart Button

Tomorrow’s match marks the beginning of the second half of the season. With a different coach from the beginning of the season, a different formation, some player changes, and some recently acquired mentality, this is practically a completely different Milan team than faced Udinese on matchday one. Like someone pressed the restart button.

Restart

Milan 3, SPAL 0: Change of Fortune

If you believe in lucky charms, then Ibrahimovic is a 6’5” (1.96m) one. Milan went from a team that struggled in every match, and couldn’t even win against teams lower than them on the table to a poised, confident destroyer of relegation-zone teams in one giant Swedish transfer. Ibra was a spectator from the bench for this one, and Milan still pulled off a decent performance. Which means that either it was mentality all along, or a change of fortune.

Amazing goals, a clean sheet, and this level of win

Coppa Italia Round of 16 • Milan-SPAL Preview: Plan B

Normally, no one really cares about the Coppa Italia. Even with tickets as low as €5, only about 20,000 people are expected to attend on Wednesday. That is compared with more than 60,000 people who came to see Ibrahimovic’s debut on a weekend. However, this time, perhaps more fans should care. The winner of the Coppa Italia qualifies for the Europa League, and with so many teams and so many points separating us from European spots, winning the Coppa Italia might be our best opportunity for Europe next year. This could be our Plan B.

I don't remember Salamon doing that when at Milan...

Cagliari 0, Milan 2: Ibralicious

This match was a delicious win after recent suffering, and tangible evidence that Ibrahimovic is still a world class player. Although Cagliari had more possession, it was a deserved win for Milan fans, who have been starved for goals and wins this season. The new formation made a visible difference in play, and the outcome was simply Ibralicious.

Bringing relevancy back to Milan

Cagliari-Milan Preview: The Natives Are Restless

Milan are flying to the island of Sardegna tomorrow and facing a hostile Cagliari side. Gli Isolani were the darlings of Serie A, unpredictably in fourth place with the big teams in November. Until they lost three in a row, and are suddenly sliding down the table. Milan could only dream of being in fourth place, and are very desperate to change their fortunes. Unfortunately, Cagliari are more likely to come up with the three points. The natives are restless.

Ibrahimovic is larger than life, but can he help Milan?

Silent Tiger, Insolvent Dragon

Yesterday, an interview with David Han Li was released which promised to tell Yonghong Li’s side of the story. The question all of us wanted to know was “Why.” But we didn’t get that at all. All we got were veiled accusations and pointing the blame at everyone else but themselves. Most ironic was that he complained about the poor timing of “media attacks,” while attacking the Elliott Fund in the media at such a difficult time for Milan’s management. We really didn’t get any answers, just a confirmation that he and Yonghong Li were still the Silent Tiger, Insolvent Dragon.

More sinister than a megalomaniac?

Podcast: The Ibrahimovic Fix

After ending the calendar year on a 20 year low, Milan fans were given a great gift in the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Perhaps the gift is not brand new or shiny, but it is a gift of healing for fans who remember the summer of 2012. Ibrahimovic may not be able to fix Milan, but for quality-deprived Milan fans, he gives Milan a big fix.

We just can't get enough

Milan 0, Sampdoria 0: Empty Handed

Hope had returned to Milan on January 2nd in the form of a tall, brilliant Swedish forward. That hope was not fulfilled this afternoon as Milan left the San Siro with our goal tally empty handed.

The wait was over, but we'll have to wait longer for goals

Milan-Sampdoria Preview: The Ibrafana

In Italy, there is an old woman/witch called “La Befana.” Every year, on the Epiphany, January 6th, she travels around to all of the children. If the children have been good, they get toys and candy. If they have been bad, they get coal. This year, on January 6th, Milan fans will be visited by both Sampdoria and hopefully the Ibrafana™. Whether or not this match brings us toys or coal, though, remains to be seen.

Age is just a number

Finally Ibra

Seven and a half years ago, Zlatan Ibrahimovic left AC Milan under protest and blessed PSG with his giant, hulking, awesomeness. Yesterday, that same giant, hulking awesomeness returned once again, a little older but still every bit as awesome. Not only is his mentality and experience a huge boost to our young, beleaguered team, but his return is like a healing salve to the club that took a huge turn for the worse when he left in 2012. Finally, Ibra.

At last