Ironic that Milan finally qualify for Champions League again, yet they'll be playing in a kit that looks like those UPC codes that are on products to scan at the supermarket. In keeping with Puma's tradition of throwing too many design elements at a Milan jersey and then seeing which ones stick, the UPC code design is only one of the bad things about this kit. It's like their designers are checking out.
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| It seems so unfair that fans cannot be at San Siro, but this ridiculous kit can be |
In keeping with the habit of signing players we faced in the Europa League, Milan have turned to Mike Maignan for our new first goalkeeper. The French international kept a clean sheet at the San Siro as Lille defeated Milan 3-0 in the group stage, our first loss after returning to play last year. This past season was Maignan's self-proclaimed best season of his career so far. Milan are counting on it being his first of many great seasons after the Donnarumma exit. The shock turn of events has forced Milan to continue their French revolution.
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| Ready for a revolution |
While there have been no official announcements from the club or from Gigio Donnarumma, Maldini spoke on the Milan Twitch channel yesterday and confirmed that the goalkeeper was leaving, thanking him for everything. It is not official as of this writing, but the media has chronicled the medicals and contract signing of Mike Maignan. This ends a saga that was inflamed by Mirabelli four years ago, and has become an unnecessary stressor to fans and the club. But most impressively, Maldini showed that he is every bit the technical director that he was player and captain. And Mino Raiola learned that you don't mess with Maldini.
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| Behind the smile is pure genius |
Milan are returning to the Champions League. Having finally beaten Atalanta, Milan finished second in the league and qualified for the top European competition for the first time in seven years. Boaz joined me to celebrate the amazing finish to an incredible season. We caught up on Milan news, talked about the last few matches, and then jumped into potential transfers. We also discussed Pioli and Maldini and their roles in achieving Champions League qualification.
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| Champions of our hearts |
It's difficult to put into words what this win means. After ten years of turmoil, three ownership changes, ten different coaches, dozens of mediocre players in and out, Milan finally finished top four. The second place league finish means Champions League qualification for the first time in seven years. For every hopeful win, every dissatisfying draw, and every mind-numbing loss over the years, Pioli and this team finally broke the curse. Milan fans' hearts have been abused and dragged through the mire by owners and management until they were barely beating. For those of us who masochistically watched every game, this feels like the most delicious freedom from all of the pain. For the club as a whole, qualifying for the Champions League is like a homecoming.
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| Coming home |
The phrase "Do or die" never brought so much anxiety before. Milan fans have had one massive roller coaster ride this season. Or maybe it is more like traveling down a beautiful river and suddenly realizing that you are about to plummet down a water fall to almost certain death. The dream of returning to Champions League seemed so real earlier in the season, and now that dream hinges on one Sunday evening's set of matches. It all comes down to this.
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| One match to redeem them all... |
After ten years of Galliani's free transfers, Yonghong Li's empty promises, and Gazidis interfering in the sporting sector, Milan are on the verge of joy or heartbreak. Most people say this is the most exciting season of Serie A in years, but Milan fans have no fingernails left, are popping anti-anxiety meds like candy, and drinking more alcohol than ever before. We haven't been in the Champions League since the 2013-14 season, which has felt like missing a limb... or our DNA. Even worse, the renewal of Gigio Donnarumma and other key players may depend on where Milan finish on the table. Everything comes down to Sunday night. Will Milan get Champions League or Europa League?
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| Everything hangs in the balance |
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| His vision and his work |
This was Milan's best chance to secure a Champions League spot. Even just one goal may have made it happen. But we were playing at San Siro. And the pressure on the players was palpable. That's the problem with having a young team, when the going gets tough, the players don't perform. Meanwhile, Cagliari, whose Serie A safety had been mathematically confirmed earlier, had literally been drinking champagne in the afternoon, so were perfectly relaxed. They had nothing to lose, and nothing to prove, yet they played a fantastic game. So Milan's nerves cost us possibly our last real chance at Champions League for next year. Literally, after leading the league for the first half of the season, Milan could end up with the big empty.
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| Eating your shirt is just empty calories, Samu |
After a week with two results beyond our wildest imaginations, Milan come back down to earth at the San Siro to face 15th place Cagliari. Being five points above 18th place Benevento, they need one more result to guarantee their Serie A safety. Meanwhile, Milan need one more win to guarantee a top four spot and Champions League next year. Like a chess match with massive implications for both sides, Milan face off on Sunday in the penultimate challenge.
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| Three points to make our goal. |
After some less than stellar results of our own, Milan have taken the challenge of qualifying for the Champions League very seriously. So much so that they scored seven goals in one match, just to be sure of the three points. Poor Torino looked so dejected, but Pioli's men had a job to do, so they did it. And then some. Like pirates hell bent on getting the top four spot, tonight, Milan played to take no prisoners.
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| Sirigu was not spared... Rebic took no prisoners |
While the players are likely still pumped from their massive win over Juve on Sunday, Wednesday's trip to Turin could be a little different. Whereas Juve have struggled all year long to find a team identity and mentality under Pirlo, Torino suffered half the season under Giampaolo. We Milanisti know what that is like. Torino have managed to improve their second half of the season, but only sit four points above that final relegation spot. Nicola's men will be fighting to ensure their Serie A safety, and will likely put up more of a fight than their city rivals did. This won't be just another night in Turin.
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| With team unity and focus, Milan can accomplish our goal |
It was almost too good to believe. I might not have believed it if I hadn't witnessed it for myself. Juventus falling apart at home, and Milan scoring three beautiful goals. Even with Kessie's missed penalty, it was a triumph for the ages. With Champions League qualification and people's jobs on the line, too, it was also necessary. Pirlo, who burned all bridges with Milan when he went to Juventus, also needed the win to secure his job. But you know what they say... traitors never prosper.
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| Loyalty to the shirt can mean everything |
For a matchup that has a history of massive referee blunders, mostly going Juventus' way, you would think that the Italian Referee Association (AIA) would carefully choose a referee who appeared to be somewhat unbiased. But no. Rizzoli assigned Valeri to this match, whose history with Juventus is virtually unblemished, and whose history (even recent history) with Milan is just terrible. Normally, I would like to think that either team could win this match, but it seems a foregone conclusion now that it will actually be Valeri's choice.
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| This just doesn't end well |
On Sunday there is a lot more than three points on the line. There is a history of terrible ref calls, including one that changed the Scudetto win in 2012. There is Pirlo, who was an extraordinary player and good guy at Milan until Galliani wouldn't renew him, and he went to rivals Juventus on a free transfer. Now, homeless Pirlo is coaching Juventus, and rumors are that his job is on the line. Then there is the small matter of a Champions League qualification spot. With both teams tied on points, this is much more than just a game.
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| I would love to see a reprise of this on Sunday |
So much has happened since the last podcast, so to catch up, George from Milan Club Boston joined me. We talked about Milan news and recent matches, including reviewing the leaked images of next season's kit. We also talked about the Curva Sud's meeting with Donnarumma, and discussed the evil Super League as well as the potential consequences for Milan. With so many people behaving so badly, it just feels a little like we are losing football.
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| At some point, he's going to say enough of the abuse |
Once again, the Curva Sud have questioned Donnarumma's loyalty and brought him to tears. Will this be the last time? Will he leave the club because of these criminals who literally ignore the best interests of the club and go to Milanello to harass him... before a game? After the death threats, the banners, and all of the other abuse over the years from the supposed fans of the club of his heart, I couldn't blame him. He is only 22 years old, and this has gone on long enough. But what about those of us who adore him? Does he know how many more fans there are out there who don't have a criminal record and would do anything to see him stay forever? Some of us are crying, too, for the love of Donnarumma.
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| Amidst rumors he would go to Juve, he turned to Juve fans and kissed the crest |
Milan won. At home. With a clean sheet, too. Will miracles never cease? I think it was Pippo Inzaghi who brought us luck, even though his team were unlucky. Even if Benevento are at risk of relegation, they played with a winning mentality, and their goalkeeper, Montipó, had a Man of the Match performance. In the end, Milan got the three points we needed for our crucial battle for a top four spot. Ahead of the other teams' games tomorrow, at least for tonight, Milan are in second place again. Sorry, Pippo.
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| Ibrahimovic puts his stamp of approval on the performance |