Bologna 1, Milan 2: When Referees Attack

Bologna played a very good game today. Milan, not our best, but it was so great to have some players back and getting match fitness, as well as our latest signing getting the start. But there is so much controversy surrounding all of the penalties that Milan have been awarded this season. People are mad at Milan and blaming us, but what can Milan do? They have to do what the referees tell them. It's so frustrating that people blame the players, when they are the victims here. It's not Milan's fault when referees attack.

Kessie had better not get any injuries from taking all of these penalties

Bologna-Milan Preview: Getting Back on Course

After losing to Atalanta last week and then crashing out of the Coppa Italia to Inter on Tuesday, some Milan fans are starting to be concerned (that is code for freaking out.) According to @OptaPaolo, however, Milan with 43 points halfway through the season is the highest points total in the league since the 1950-51 season, when the 20 team format began. 

Ready to get back on course

Podcast: Transcontinental Midseason Player Ratings

After a couple of painful matches, midseason means that it is time for player ratings. Joining me this time was George from Milan Club Boston, as well as Jesús, the Milan Obsession Quiz Show Champion of the World, straight outta Kansas City. We reviewed recent news, injuries, and obviously the mercato, then rated all of the players so far on a scale of one to cerebral assassin.

A full spectrum of ratings

Inter 2, Milan 1: Typical Inter

In the game that I didn't want to play, my worst fears were confirmed: Kjaer picked up a muscle injury, and Ibrahimovic trash-talked Lukaku, who reportedly insulted his wife and tried to head butt him, and later reportedly threatened Ibra with violence. In the end, Ibrahimovic's mouth is what got him sent off after a second yellow, and even a 10 men Milan that was short several starters kept Inter at bay until a weak penalty call and a stupid Meïté foul gave them their goals. But Conte and everyone were celebrating like they had won a Champions League final. Typical Inter.

Winning with his feet, losing with his mouth, Inter taking all the credit

Coppa Italia • Inter vs. Milan Preview: He Who Must Not Be Named

This is the game we didn't need to play. We don't need to stay in all three competitions, especially with COVID-19 still running rampant and a series of injuries that would make Allegri blush. But now we are facing our evil cugini, complete with the fake hair-wearing, Eriksen-hating, and now allegedly referee-accosting He Who Must Not Be Named. Sure, he is probably facing a decent ban for his ginormous toddler tantrum on Saturday after being shown a red in the match against the mighty Udinese. But this is the Coppa Italia, so we will still have to see his ugly face and hear his super creepy voice. This went from the game we didn't need to play to the game we wish would go away.

Double trouble

Milan 0, Atalanta 3: Turning Point

This game was supposed to be retribution for a soul-crushing Christmas Massacre of just over a year ago from Atalanta. Instead, it was another soul-crushing defeat. Not that it doesn't hurt like hell, not that I am condoning the loss, but it also doesn't hurt to have some perspective. Milan are still top of the table. Officially Winter Champions. What this team has done to accomplish that is nothing short of miraculous. Plus, Atalanta had their best game of the season, while Milan probably played their worst. And we know that the last time we hurt like this, it was the impetus to create this magical run. This isn't a stopping point, it's a turning point.

It was like that, but it was also only one game

Milan-Atalanta: A Point to Prove

Many have talked about Milan being crowned Winter Champions this week, an unofficial progress marker of the halfway point in the season for being top of the table at this point. Despite some early celebrations, Milan technically need just one more point, or for Inter to drop points, to be officially the unofficial winners of nothing but the off the record top of the table team of midway through the season. Personally, I would like three points and for Inter to drop points, but I'm greedy like that. In order to solidify our imaginary title, we are facing Atalanta. Kessie's former team that he said had inspired our current run of form, after the 5-0 Christmas Massacre in Bergamo just over a year ago. So either way you look at it, Milan have a point to prove.

He is either showing the score last time we met, his new(old) number, or the size of Atalanta's estranged captain

Podcast: Scudetto Path

As Milan became Winter Champions this week, the path to the Scudetto seems to be coming into focus. How has Milan arrived at this point? Game by game, using every player in the team. For this podcast, I invited someone who knows about the Scudetto, Boaz, to talk about all things Milan right now and our potential Scudetto path.

Unstoppable

The Shameless Maldini Appreciation Post

I am one of millions of fans around the world for whom Paolo Maldini is my all-time favorite player. He was a phenomenal defender, is an extraordinary human being, and has become a formidable sporting director in such a short period of time. His sacrifices of family, retirement, and sleep have brought Milan out of the depths of despair and back into the spotlight, despite opposition at every turn from Milan management. So, for no particular reason, today I offer the shameless Maldini appreciation post.

Killing it again at Milan

Cagliari 0, Milan 2: No Island Getaway

Despite the difference on the table, this match was not some kind of vacation. With Theo Hernandez and Calhanoglu both late misses due to COVID-19 positive tests, Milan were missing another six players yet again, at least five of them starters. They had added Meïté, who did debut as a substitute, but it is still incredible that they won again in spite of missing half of their starting lineup. Cagliari didn't make it easy, and Saelemaekers earning back to back yellows to be sent off left Milan on ten men. This was three points, another clean sheet, but it was no island getaway.

Papa Ibra is back

Cagliari-Milan Preview: Monday Night Football

In a weekend full of intense rivalries in Serie A, top of the table Milan travel to the island of Sardinia on Monday night to face the 16th place team, Cagliari. The biggest drama is still missing pieces, with both sides missing players to injury, COVID-19 positive tests, or suspensions. It will be a tricky match, but likely without the intensity of the other big matches this weekend. Instead, it will simply be some Monday night football.

Most of these guys will be ready for some football

Podcast: The Truth Behind Winning

Milan beat Giampaolo's Torino twice in four days, but behind all of the winning, there is a lot of concern about Milan's finances. Joining me from Denmark again was Søren, and we talked about all of the amazing and frightening things happening on and off of the pitch at Milan right now.

Winning on the pitch, spending off of it

Milan 0 (5), Torino 0 (4): Prolonging the Inevitable

While I always want to see my team win, this match was just ridiculous. Playing 120 minutes of football plus penalties midweek to stay in a competition with very little prestige or monetary value when our team are young and injury-plagued was foolish, in my opinion, particularly for putting our other competitions at risk due to fatigue or injury. That it dragged out to penalties was very unfortunate, although at least there seemed to be no new injuries for Milan. Even though beating Giampaolo twice in four days was delicious, as well as a wonderful birthday present for our captain, the extra time and penalties was simply prolonging the inevitable.

All is well that ends... finally

Coppa Italia Round of 16 • Milan-Torino Preview: Back for More

Saturday's loss wasn't enough for Giampaolo, his Torino side must return to the San Siro on Tuesday to face Milan, this time in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. Despite having slightly more possession, Torino were held to only one shot on target in that match, which is not encouraging for their second time meeting Milan in the space of four days. However, both teams will make adjustments, and this time the stakes are raised, as the options are win or go home. Still, Milan have to be careful, too, in protecting their players and trying to stop the long list of injuries they have been acumulating. It will be the same clubs, but both teams are coming back for more.

Pioli's choices in this match could be vital to Milan's season

Milan 2, Torino 0: Reckless Win

Mentality has gotten this team this far, still in first place, and still breaking records and winning. But winning so much comes at a cost, especially when your team is small, young, and injury-laden. Players want to win so badly that they will foul or take risks they wouldn't need to with a full strength squad. That meant that to win this game, Milan were whistled for 22 fouls, given a whopping seven cards, and had two new injuries, as well as a player suspended for this next round. It was a convincing win, but also a reckless win.

Three points, 2 injuries, and a suspension

Milan-Torino Preview: Moment of Truth

Milan's young squad is absolutely ravaged by injuries and COVID-19 positive cases right now. For this match alone, we are expected to be missing seven players, six of them are typically starters. Which is a shame, because as fans, we have been relishing this opportunity to face off against a former coach who destroyed the beginning of our season last year. Despite the fact that Torino are in 17th place on the table and Milan are in first, missing so many players could make this match the moment of truth.

"Just give me more time!"

Podcast: All Good Things Must Come to an End

Despite a stinging defeat to Juventus to end our unbeaten streak, joining me from the Pacific Northwest here in the United States, Pierluca courageously joined me post match to discuss all things Milan. Most of which is still really amazing, considering we remained at the top of the table despite ending our 27 game unbeaten streak. We also discussed the merits of Gigio Donnarumma and the importance of his renewal.

Milan nel cuore

Milan 1, Juventus 3: Back to Reality

We knew that when our undefeated streak was broken, it would hurt. But we didn't realize it would be like this. A young squad stripped bare, missing seven players to injury/suspension/COVID-19, and six of those were starters. We lost at home to Juventus, who have won nine Scudetti in a row, beginning with the year of the Gol di Muntari, and who are coached by Pirlo, that homeless guy who played ten years at Milan and then went to Juve, acting like none of that ever happened. With a squad that costs them €286 million per year in wages, we were hoping that our young €90 million per year in wages squad could hold out with so much stacked against them. But they didn't, so now it's back to reality.

United in victory and in defeat

Milan-Juventus Preview: Someone's Getting Coal

In Italy, each January 6th, they celebrate the Epiphany with a kindly old witch called La Befana. Much like her jolly and much more popular counterpart, Santa Claus, she brings gifts to boys and girls. However, if the children are naughty, they get coal. How fitting that this match should be played on January 6th, then. Perhaps Irrati will play Befana, giving cards to all of the naughty players. But at the end of the match, win, lose, or draw, someone's getting coal.

Benevento 0, Milan 2: LeaOMGoal

Benevento are known as the "witches" or "sorcerers" in Italian. Yet it was Milan who bewitched and bewildered in a very physical, and at times frustrating match. Despite Pippo's side being up a man for two-thirds of the match, dominating in possession and hammering Gigio with 25 shots, Milan walked away with a clean sheet and all three points. But for me, the most magical moment was a spectacularly brilliant goal, something I call the LeaOMGoal.

Two shots on target

Podcast: The EPIC Milan-Juve Preview

An epic matchup like Milan-Juventus deserves an epic podcast preview, so I turned to my Milan and Juve friends, Rui and Joe from The Red Card Report Podcast. Not only was Joe the very first Juventino ever on the Milan Obsession Podcast, he bravely faced questions about the latest Juve-Napoli ruling, Pirlo, the Champions League, the referees, and more. We also gave Inter a bit of hate, because after all, it is the hatred of Inter that brings Milan and Juventus fans together.

Last time Juventus came to the San Siro it worked out okay

Benevento-Milan Preview: All is Fair in Love and War

With so many ex-Milan players coaching in Serie A, it is a source of pride for Milan fans, but it is also heartbreaking when we have to face off against one of our Milan legends. Pippo Inzaghi is so beloved, his passion unmatched, and thus it is difficult to wish ill on him as a coach. Having also been burned as a Milan coach by Berlusconi, and having coached Calabria and other Milan youth players prior to the first team, it is twice as difficult to see him in charge of the other team. However, all is fair in love and war.

Pippo celebrating promotion to Serie A with Benevento