Genoa-Milan Preview: For the Love of Sheva

Anyone who remembers Shevchenko when he played for Milan knows that he is not only considered a legend, but also beloved by Milan fans. His penalty kick to win our 2003 Champions League trophy against Juventus was one of the sweetest moments in Milan's storied history. But on Wednesday, he is on the opposite bench as Genoa's new manager, and thus the enemy. While it can be difficult to face a Milan legend, we have already done so with others.  This time, more than ever, we need the win to stop hemorrhaging goals and points. And Sheva is a fierce competitor anyway, as much as he also needs his first win as a Serie A coach, he would never want us to be anything less than our best. So Milan need to win this one for the love of Sheva.

We still love you Sheva, that's why we need to win this one

Milan 1, Sassuolo 3: Gutted

Yes, Milan have struggled, and lost some big games against Sassuolo. Sure, we also struggle with games that are earlier in the day. Yes, Milan have averaged five or more players out per game and have been playing every three days now for months. But none of those facts could have prepared anyone for this loss. Nor the mistakes that led to finishing on 10 men, let alone the final scoreline. Not unlike preparing a fish, Milan were absolutely gutted. 

Maignan's return was far too eventful

Milan-Sassuolo Preview: Renewal

Milan reaffirmed their faith in Pioli on Friday by renewing his contract through 2023, with the option of another year. This was a well-deserved and very anticipated renewal. In fact, I have no idea what the press will ask him about every time they interview him going forward. Milan are tired after traveling to Madrid midweek and playing with so many players injured. But Maignan has been training with gloves again this week and is anxious to be back as soon as possible. Reports as of this writing are that we could have Tomori back, at least on the bench for this match, which would be at least a mental renewal for our battle-weary warriors. 

Morning renewal

Atlético Madrid 0, AC Milan 1: No Apologies

After the treatment Milan has received in the Champions League this season, particularly in the first leg vs. Atlético Madrid at the San Siro, the expectations were low for this match. With Tomori and Rebić added to the injury list this past weekend, it seemed even less likely that we would be allowed to win this one. Although UEFA suspended the referee and VAR referee who changed the outcome of the first leg, the outcome stood and our chances of moving through to the next round were taken out of our hands. Sure, they were punished, but there were no apologies.

Messias won all three points, no apologies

Atlético Madrid-AC Milan Preview: Integrity

Milan's last match against Atlético at the San Siro was a crime, and the referee and VAR assistant's suspensions were no consolation for some refereeing that everyone admitted tampered with the results of the group. Milan have been decimated by injuries yet again, and have basically just had the worst of luck on our return to the Champions League. Meanwhile, Atléti star Griezmann was supposed to be banned for this match after Griezmann was sent off when they hosted Liverpool because he put his studs in Fabinho's ear with an insanely dangerous high kick. But of course, Atlético won their appeal to shorten his ban from two matches to one, so he will play. Milan may have too many injuries and not enough luck, but at least we have our integrity.

What it looks like when you score an actual goal without help from the ref

Fiorentina 4, Milan 3: In a Fog

Milan suffered our first league loss against Fiorentina due to some spectacularly bad errors from both sides in some spectacularly heavy fog. That said, Fiorentina were still the side that were both more focused and more clinical, despite the weather. The loss hurts, and gives Napoli the chance to go up to three points clear at the top, but is not that surprising considering more last minute injuries and the fact that it was bound to happen at some point. Still disappointing that we dominated and could have won, but too many of our players were in a fog.

When the fog goes to your head

Fiorentina-Milan: Don't Get Caught Sleeping

Pioli returns to the Stadio Artemio Franchi and the team that he coached prior to Milan. This would be an emotional game anyway, with ex-Milan players Saponara and Bonaventura now wearing the Viola jersey and Tatarusanu having formerly played for Fiorentina as well. For Pioli, his memories of losing captain Davide Astori during his time there will always be with him for this matchup. Milan can't afford to get too emotional, however, because Italiano's side have done better than expected this season and will not miss an opportunity to take points from Milan. It will be important that we don't get caught sleeping.

If Tatarusanu picks up where he left off against his former team, we'll be fine

Humble Swagger

Much has been said about this Milan side. They are a family, they have hunger, they don't give up, they are united, and they play beautiful football, just to name a few. They are also still breaking records and are behind Napoli only on goal differential in Serie A. In both training and within the matches, they work hard, but also have a lot of fun together. Playing football is natural for them, and they work really well together as a group. One pundit a while back described this team's style the best, he called it a "humble swagger."

Humble swagger

The Trouble with VAR

VAR is like a four-letter word, except it is actually an acronym with only three letters. Maybe that is worse, I don't know, or maybe that is why no one can agree on how, when, and where it should be used. When everyone called for the technology, I guess they did not have realistic expectations for how it would be implemented. One of the problems with VAR is that it is subject to the interpretation of not only those in the VAR booth, but the head referee in particular. However, that is not the only trouble with VAR.

To VAR or not to VAR, that is the question

Podcast: Post-Derby Decompression

Catching up with Milan is one thing, but being able to sit down after such an intense Derby is something else altogether. I invited Nathan from Milan Club of DC to help me break everything down, discuss recent matches,  and talk about where Milan are, where we are going, as well as Pioli's accomplishment and future at the club.

90 minutes of heartstopping action

Milan 1, Inter 1: Intense-city

The Derby della Madonnina never disappoints, and this match was no exception. Played at full throttle for 90 minutes, it was certainly not for the faint of heart. Despite being given two penalties from a ref that literally called nothing else, Inter were not able to capitalize on their advantage. Milan were unlucky to hit the post late in the game, but at the end of the day a draw was probably a fair result. This cross-city Derby was insanely intense.

Still undefeated in Serie A

Milan vs. Inter Preview: Pioli's on Fire

After coaching the hell out of this team since October of 2019, Serie A has finally acknowledged Stefano Pioli by awarding him Coach of the Month for this past month. He will receive that award in front of 57,000 fans at the San Siro, most of them who will be Milan fans because it is our home Derby. He took a team that was performing at perhaps their worst under Giampaolo, and in his third season have them playing the best football in more than a decade. They achieved the goal of returning to the Champions League, and while fortune and youth have not favored their results there, they have been smashing records since his appointment. Whatever the result of this match, I know what the fans will be singing as he is awarded some long overdue accolades: "Pioli's on fire!"

On fire

AC Milan 1, FC Porto 1: Undone

Milan's performance against Porto last night demonstrated that although this squad needs work, they have the heart and determination to fight to the finish. Porto may have dominated the first half, but Milan came back and challenged in the second half, forcing the own goal and having another goal called back for offside. Milan were undone by the early goal and some intense high pressing in the first half, but are not without their own merits.

So many ifs...

AC Milan-FC Porto Preview: Dragon Seige

Despite impressing in our first two matches, Milan sit dead last in our Champions League group, with zero points. We are hosting FC Porto, who are in third place in Group B with four points from three matches, three of which they took from us. While they absolutely deserved those points in Portugal when we played our worst match of the season, Milan have several players back from injury and a growing mentality after positive performances in the league. All three of our remaining matches in the group stage will be difficult, but this challenge will be more like a dragon siege.

How Milan defend their fortress