This year, Milan have so many different players who are exciting for different reasons. Great goal scorers, playmakers, defenders, and a world class goalkeeper make it hard to choose a favorite. We all have our favorite player, or perhaps players, but which player is the most popular?
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| Sorry, Bonera, you're a coach now |
Another match without Pioli or Ibrahimovic, another win. Well, actually, Ibrahimovic was there on the bench, and it showed. The players heard him screaming at them and looked over to the bench from time to time in the same way they typically look at him on the pitch for approval. Despite the fact that Bonera's coaching leaves almost as much to be desired as his fashion choices, there is a confidence amongst this squad that is undeniable. Even with the pressure of being five points ahead of everyone else on the top of the table, the more the word "Scudetto" gets thrown around, the more there is a solid belief.
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| Three more points toward the ultimate goal |
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| No time for complacency |
This match was meant to be a test of this young squad, particularly with Ibrahimovic injured. The result was definitely not what we wanted, but the performance left something to the imagination, too. Milan scored with their singular shot on target, and the presence of everyone who was missing was felt today. Also, those kits. We have struggled in every game we have worn them. If you look like you have a rash, you're just not going to play as well. Perhaps it was just because of all of the turkey ingested in the United States today for Thanksgiving, but the performance was a little too subdued, maybe it was the tryptophan effect.
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| Grateful for good service |
Ahead of the international break, Milan were handed their first loss since March, a painful one to Lille in the Europa League. Ibrahimovic willed a draw in the league a few days later, but now he is injured. On Sunday, Milan convinced many of the doubters with a 3-1 win over Napoli, but Thursday comes the real test. After we lost 3-0 to Lille, it falls upon us to prove to ourselves that we can dominate in Europe as well as the league. Living up to that expectation is our burden of proof.
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| Time to prove ourselves without him |
Everyone has been talking about how Milan had not been tested, but against Napoli, apparently we passed the test. In addition to all things Milan this week, Jesús and I discussed the amazing win and how great the football was. Still undefeated for 20 league matches straight now, Milan are now The Convincibles™.
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| Convincing |
This match had everything: epic goals, epic saves, serious injuries, a red card, yellow cards, and more. It was one of the most intense Milan matches in recent memory, and also one of the most rewarding ones. It is also difficult to face beloved exes, and this one had Petagna, Bakayoko, and of course, Gattuso who had all formerly played for Milan. But at the end of the game, we won in beautiful fashion. Three points, maintaining our top of the table spot, keeping our unbeaten streak in the league alive against a very worthy oponnent, and winning, despite missing Pioli and five other staff members due to COVID-19 positive tests. But above all else, it featured three former teammates and Milan Titans from the last Scudetto-winning side at Milan: Gattuso, Bonera, and Ibrahimovic. It truly was a clash of the Titans.
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| Current mood |
This was set to be a big matchup from the moment the Serie A schedule was drawn this summer. However, it turns out that it may be even bigger than we anticipated. Napoli were awarded a loss and docked a point for protecting the people of Turin and specifically Juventus from exposure to a COVID outbreak they faced the week prior to the game that wasn't played. Which means that had they been able to play that game and won, they would be going into this match at the top of the table instead of Milan. However, even that story is overshadowed by current cases of positive tests for COVID in both squads, including Milan's manager and assistant manager. Which means it's time for Big Game Bonera™.
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| Is the legend ready for the big time? |
Because so many people look at results only, Milan's loss against Lille in the Europa League and subsequent draw against Verona may have raised questions about Milan's previously unstoppable mentality. But there are other question marks, too, such as players who had amazing form all summer dropping in form now. Plus, our captain conceded two penalties in two matches in a row, then picked up a minor injury ahead of our last match. He also was shown a yellow card for dissent while on the bench for Italy yesterday, which truly begs the question: Are these just growing pains? Or signs of trouble?
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| Lost his form? Or lost his mind? |
Closing out an international break where COVID-19 is running rampant, it was obvious that we needed some Napoli expertise to look ahead to Sunday's big matchup. So in a rare non-Milan guest appearance, Joe of Forza Napoli Calcio Podcast joined me to discuss all things Napoli-Milan, including Gattuso and Serie A's horrific handling of their protocol during a global pandemic. Frenemies.
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| Frenemies |
Milan have had an amazing 2020. Sitting on top of the Serie A table, unbeaten in 19 league matches, there is a lot of optimism. But is it too much optimism? Will this young team burn out? Will the crammed fixture list ruin our great run of form? Can we actually dream of a Scudetto? Today it's your turn to have your say. Scroll down and take the poll.
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| How high can this young team reach? |
Much is being discussed about Ibrahimović, particularly about how old he is. There is simply not enough talk about how good he is. But in addition to both of those statements being true, there are also the discussions about the mentality he he has brought to the team, and the gift that he is to all of the young players. Sure, those are the things everyone is talking about. However, there are also a couple of other reasons that should not be forgotten. In fact, people should be talking about Ibrahimović for all of the reasons.
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| Indescribably awesome, for all of the reasons |
Milan had a tough week, with a loss in the Europa League and a draw in the league. But that is not the most concerning setback. With the international break upon us, Italy's handling of the pandemic is more inconsistent than ever, and it seems like they are heading more and more toward another complete shutdown. Adreano and I discussed the recent matches and the COVID-19 crisis this week as Italy took one step forward, two steps back.
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| If only Italy were progressing as much as Milan |
After a tough loss on Thursday, we knew this match would not be any easier. Fighting fatigue and the pressures of being top of the table, we knew this one would also test our young team. Perhaps we didn't expect to have to claw our way back from a 2-0 deficit, or take more than 30 shots to get a point, but we knew it would be complicated.
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| Magnificent errors, and saving the match in spite of himself |
Milan suffered our first loss in 25 matches on Thursday to an impressive Lille. But that was the Europa League. This is Serie A. Milan are still top of the table, and no one can catch us this week. But remaining unbeaten in the league and winning a match against a very tough Hellas Verona side is very important to our Champions League dreams this season. And getting our very young team's mentality back quickly, and before the international break, is very important on the rebound.
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| What happened here? |
Losing never feels good. For our first loss after 24 games unbeaten, this one was no exception. Milan actually had 55% possession and twelve shots, with four on target. But if you watched the second half, you never would have guessed it. After Yazici's second goal, Milan let Lille control the match, and not even Pioli's masterful subs could make a difference. Milan were completely bamboozled.
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| Bamboozled |
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| The ex-Lille defender is ready for battle |
Three games in seven days gives fans plenty to talk about, but there was also plenty to talk about off of the pitch this time as well. George and I also discussed Serie A's handling of COVID-19, Franco Baresi being given an honorary title and the minority shareholders' meeting also all happened in a very busy Milan week.
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| Immense character |
The lunchtime games are never easy. For fans like me, they are at 3:30am, and sacrificing sleep is that much more painful if the performance or the results are poor. But that was not the case for this match. Although the players looked like they were struggling as hard as I struggled to get out of bed for this one, they pushed through and got the result. Because that's what the league leaders do, get results. With 24 matches unbeaten and playing away at the Stadio Friuli, this was one more for the road.
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| Celebrating never gets old |