The Highs and Lows of Milan's 2021

Milan continued to rebuild this year under the careful watch of Maldini. We started 2021 top of the league, having had an incredible run of form after coming back from COVID-19 lockdown in the summer. This year we saw injuries leave us bare, mentality dip and then steady, and a return to the Champions League that was bittersweet. Finishing 2021 in second place in the league is actually perhaps more amazing than 2020 was, considering where we have been and what we have been through, even if a lot of fans are disappointed. That is why it pays to look at some of the highs and lows of Milan's 2021.

Facing 2021 without fear

Beneath the Red and Black: The Dark Side of the Curva Sud

As fans, when we hear the words "Curva Sud," our minds are instantly filled with memories of phenomenal coreografia, epic chants, drums, waving flags, flares, or even the recent 700 traveling Santa hat brigade that represented at the Empoli match just before Christmas. These fans represent for us the ultimate in passion – attending every Milan match, giving up countless hours to plan and create the best coreo in the world, and providing the intimidating atmosphere for opponents at the San Siro while offering that extra boost to our own players. What many don't know or want to forget is that too many of these passionate fans are also criminals, have their own political agenda, and have at times brought incredible shame to the club and the crest. Beneath the beautiful passion of the red and black, there is a very dark side of the Curva Sud.

"When you are in hell..." but what about when you are in jail?

The Unpredictable Alexis Saelemaekers

Upon his arrival on loan at Milan, no one really knew what to expect from Saelemaekers. Almost two years later, that statement is largely still true. While he has become a little less rash and perhaps more dependable, as Boaz mentioned on the latest podcast, it is not even certain that he knows what he is going to do next. With a name that is surprisingly still unpronounceable (despite him teaching us how,) he is the unpredictable Alexis Saelemaekers.

Unpredictable

Podcast: A Plea to Babbo Natale

Just in time for Christmas, Boaz of the Scudetto Podcast caught up with me on Milan news, including the latest on the new stadium, as well as recapping the recent matches, the Champions League exit, and the ever-present Milan injury list. We made a plea to the Italian version of Santa, Babbo Natale, for a wish for the coming year.

A gift from Babbo Natale in any form will be welcome

Empoli 2, Milan 4: In the Christmas Mood

Milan clearly wanted to give their fans a Christmas gift after some poor results, bad luck, and a plague of injuries. Empoli wanted to continue their streak of beating the big teams, and at first, it seemed like they just might get their wish. But Kessié, having been much maligned in the media and on social media for not having renewed his contract, as well as having had a goal stolen from him on Sunday, had other plans. As did Florenzi, who had not yet scored for Milan, and Theo Hernández, who was just coming back from the flu. Bakayoko got confused as usual, and gifted a goal to Empoli, but at the end of regulation, Milan fans were in the Christmas mood.

Tonali accepts a festive gift from the Curva

Empoli-Milan Preview: In the Bleak Midwinter

Milan's loss to Napoli hurt on so many levels. Not just the bizarre and controversial referee call, a decision which the AIA (Italian Referee Association) stood behind for an even more bizarre reason. Morale is dropping, with so few points in our latest matches, and still so many injuries in our starting lineup. Worse still, we face a newly promoted team that is playing way above their level and sits in ninth place on the table. This match is a must win for Milan fans to have anything but a bleak midwinter.

Hopefully no one falls on him, pinning him in an offside position this time

Milan 0, Napoli 1: Party Foul

Today was both Tomori and Kessié's birthdays. Approximately 55,000 fans came to their party at the San Siro, only to have the party spoiled by a defensive error that led to the goal and also a referee who confused wrestling with football. To read the reactions from fans online, Milan never showed up for the party, but actually, the game was pretty even, Napoli just didn't get their goal called back for a bizarre interpretation of a rule. Fans were also talking about how poorly Kessié played, but I also disagree with that assessment. In fact, the two birthday boys had great performances tonight, including some great tackles from Tomori and the goal that wasn't a goal from Kessié. Massa committed the ultimate party foul.

Party foul

Milan-Napoli Preview: The Big One

This match has been highly anticipated since early in the season, when both teams were undefeated and fighting for top spot. Our fortunes seem intertwined, as both teams went undefeated until week 13. While both teams are still in the top four, both sides have faced some absolutely devastating injuries that have seen them both drop points of late. Both Milan and Napoli also play beautiful, attacking football that is fantastic to watch. While Milan sit three points ahead, Napoli have conceded the fewest goals in Serie A this season. 

Can our two big front men come good in the big match?

Happy 122nd Birthday A.C. Milan!

Today marks the 122nd anniversary of two English friends, Herbert Kilpin and Alfred Edwards, founded the original version of the club known as AC Milan. 122 years later and a whole bunch of trophies later, the red and black courses through the veins of millions of fans worldwide. Fans today remember the recent struggles, and Milan were not always at the top. But that makes us appreciate the victories that much more.

The Curva honors Milan's co-founder and first captain, Herbert Kilpin

The Unstoppable Tomori

Since his arrival at Milan in January, Tomori has clearly been a standout in defense. From scoring epic goals in big games, to stopping opposition goals in every game he plays, he quickly became a favorite not only of the fans, but of Pioli's lineups. Now, with Kjaer injured, and Maignan still healing from his fractured hand, he has become the heart and soul of our defense. He is the unstoppable Tomori.

Unstoppable at either end of the pitch

Udinese 1, Milan 1: Mental Exhaustion

From the reactions of fans during and after the game, it is difficult to tell who is more mentally exhausted this season – the players or the fans. Not that watching the game helped to choose between the two. Even our kit man seems to be fatigued, having spelled Messias' name wrong on the back of his jersey. With our Champions League exit on Wednesday, and averaging five or more players injured every match for at least two months now, it is no wonder that all of us are a little burned out. The players have the additional physical fatigue, but with all of the errors of late, I think the focus issue is primarily a result of mental exhaustion.

Milan are so tire, even Ibrahimović could only score from a prone position

Udinese-Milan Preview: In the Meantime

Milan hearts were broken midweek when we failed to qualify for the Round of 16 in the Champions League by the narrowest of margins. In the meantime, we are still literally licking our wounds, as we have so many players on the treatment table. Now the objective will be to get everyone healthy and dominate in the league. Udinese have been struggling and also had a big change this week, as they sacked Gotti and have appointed his assistant, Cioffi as interim manager. This game will be tricky for both teams during their transitions, in the meantime.

In the meantime, Castillejo could be back

A Culture of Hate

That social media creates a culture of hate is hardly news. Anyone who has ever seen Twitter can determine this right away. Not only has social media changed how fans watch football or "support" their teams, but we have seen how it directly affects the players themselves. How the players use social media has also created hate and had serious repercussions for them, as well. But even Twitter has standards. Discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and more has consequences, albeit limited and not remotely proportional to the infractions. Kindness or even tolerance are being replaced by a culture of hate.

So much hate from such a tiny device

WARNING: The following post contains vulgarity. Please be advised.

AC Milan 1, Liverpool FC 2: Leaving Europe

With a fighting spirit but not enough quality or healthy players, Milan exit the Champions League with only four points. Reactionary Milan fans complain that Milan should have won this one, but forget recent performances against Fiorentina and Sassuolo. Just because it is a bigger game with more on the line doesn't change how many players are young, inexperienced, tired, or injured. Certainly, this team gave everything they had tonight. But sometimes, your everything is not enough. So Milan are leaving Europe.

Proud of you

AC Milan-Liverpool FC: It All Comes Down to This

Milan fans associate Liverpool with both heartbreak and redemption. While we all wish that this match and the other Group B match would offer us redemption, realistically, the heartbreak is more likely. Also, because every time the club makes one of these overdramatic videos about a match, we seem to have worse luck. We have plenty of injuries already, and really don't need any more referee episodes, either. Not only is this match a must-win to see Milan progress to the Round of 16, but the result of the Porto-Atlético match will also factor into our chances. This is our last chance to move on, it all comes down to this.

This team has grown, but will be missing key players

Milan 2, Salernitana 0: In Control

This match started with players warming up with "Forza Simon" shirts to support Simon Kjaer after his serious injury and surgery this week. And Milan were in control from that point forward, only allowing two shots on target and 30% possession for the bottom of the table Salernitana side. While there certainly could and should have been more goals, two was all it took for Milan to take all three points and go top of the table. Unlike a few of their recent performances, Milan were in control.

A touching tribute for our fallenViking

Milan-Salernitana Preview: For Kjaer

Milan are hosting Salernitana on Saturday, who are dead last on the table with only eight points after 15 rounds. Maybe it's because their logo is a stylized seahorse, and seahorses are literally the slowest swimmers of all fish species. (Next time, maybe think twice about choosing a mascot?) But whatever you do or do not know about Salernitana the club, the manager and players, Milan are more focused on a devastating new injury. Kjaer was injured in the opening minutes on Wednesday, and had knee surgery Friday to repair his anterior cruciate ligament and reinsert the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. The prognosis is that he will be out for six months, effectively ending his season. So I feel badly for Salernitana, because this Milan team will likely be very motivated to win this one big for Kjaer.

He will be sorely missed

Genoa 0, Milan 3: Sheva's Lament

Milan kept a clean sheet and actually scored three goals, despite missing seven players and having an eighth player injured just one minute into the match. Ibrahimović did Ibrahimović things, and Messias showed why he is worthy of Milan – twice. Unfortunately for Shevchenko, whose Genoa side ironically has yet to score a goal in his three matches in charge, this win was at his expense.

Milan's joy was Sheva's lament

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

Roma 1, Milan 2: Raiding the Capital

Milan went to Rome to win, and they made that clear very quickly. Despite Roma's best efforts, and in spite of a very card-happy referee, the Rossoneri brought all three points back home with them. The natives were more than restless, racially abusing both Ibrahimović and Kessié throughout the evening. Perhaps that inspired Ibrahimović even more, as he scored his 400th career goal in his usual spectacular style. Certainly, he and Kjaer, our two Viking warriors, were massive in leading the raid on the capital. 

Taking all 3 points

Roma-Milan Preview: Howl-oween

The most entertaining thing about playing a Jose Mourinho side is usually him, which is a shame for football. This season is no exception, as Roma have had some very disappointing matches, including a recent 6-1 decimation by Norway's Bodø-Glimt in the UEFA Conference League (Yes, that is Jens Petter Hauge's former side.) However, these wolves are certainly not toothless, and have a decent record overall. Milan are still missing plenty of players to injuries, and with an unbeaten record in the league have the most to lose in this match. With Mourinho having just served his first of who knows how many  bans for misbehavior this past week, he will be back coaching i Lupi for this one. Meaning that with his antics, it could easily be a Howl-oween.

Let's give him something to "howl" about

Tolerance

This week, as one brave man stepped forward, thousands on social media condemned, insulted, abused, and even threatened to change football clubs over a single tweet or retweet. In a sport where sportsmanship is growing extinct and violence seems to be ever increasing, Milan has attempted to change the tide of hatred, particularly amongst our own fans. Not asking people to change their religious or personal beliefs, simply to be willing to have tolerance and respect for other human beings so that football can be for everyone. What does it mean to be tolerant?

Tolerance simply means respect

Milan 1, Torino 0: Defending the Fortress

With the win tonight, Milan have an astounding nine wins, one draw, and zero losses in our first ten matches of the season. This is only the second time the club has managed to do this, and the last time was in the 1954-55 season, according to OptaPaolo. While this may have not been our best performance ever, we faced a tough Torino side, whose performance Jurić said was their best of the season. With eight players out yet again and tired legs from playing midweek last week, Milan did enough to take all three points at home, something we had struggled with the past year. It seems that now Milan are making a habit of not only winning, but also defending the fortress.

Taking the San Siro back 3 points at a time

Milan-Torino Preview: Holy Cow

Milan host Torino on Tuesday, as the injuries continue to pile up and the fixtures keep coming thick and fast. Pioli is not looking for excuses, but let's be realistic: the injuries have clearly affected not only Milan's quality, but our mentality as well. Torino's season leaves much to be desired, but certainly could be worse. They have a few injuries of their own, and despite having one more day's rest, having played on Friday, will still have tired legs, I'm sure. Ready or not, this one is coming at us fast and furious. Holy cow.

No rest for the weary

The Derby d'Italia: Inter, Ignorance, and Infamy

Every calcio fan base has a reputation for certain things. For example, Juventini hate when you generalize them as a fan base, which ironically makes them fit the stereotype they claim to hate so much. Milan fans used to be classy, but as we discussed on the last podcast, are now best known for a group of keyboard thugs who called themselves "Milan Twitter" and started terrorizing rival fans, each other, and anyone they felt like. Shocking and disgusting as they may be, there is a club and fan base that has been classless for much, much longer. They are entitled, unaccountable, and took down all of Serie A because they could not win on the pitch. And they still claim they were the victims. I speak of Inter, of course, and their ignorance and infamy made its mark on calcio with one ref call 23 years ago in a Derby d'Italia.

One call to ruin it all

Bologna 2, Milan 4: Unnecessarily Difficult

This match could have been pretty straightforward, but apparently, Milan did not want it that way. Bologna even offered to help, going down to nine men. With more twists and turns than a roller coaster, it seemed at times that Milan were going to drop points. In the end, they pulled it together, but it wasn't pretty. Milan made it unnecessarily difficult.

Football matches are won on the pitch

Bologna-Milan Preview: Back on Track

Milan are back on the road again on Saturday as we travel to face Bologna. After a discouraging display midweek vs. Porto and a more discouraging result, meeting up with our former manager Mihajlović will not be a friendly family reunion. However, with injuries, Milan have no guarantees against a side that is sitting in eighth place on the table. Bologna have had some discouraging results, but also some surprise wins. Milan will need to make sure that our result with them is not one of the latter as we look to keep our undefeated league run going and get back on track.

Looking to keep the unbeaten streak alive

Podcast: The Importance of Being Milan

The injuries at the club are soul-crushing, and Tuesday's loss to Porto in the Champions League did not help the mood, either. Taylor joined me to talk about all of the injuries, news, and more happening at the club right now. A common theme was the importance of being Milan.

The fans are back

FC Porto 1, AC Milan 0: After the Battle

There is always a bitter taste in the mouth after any loss. Too many Milan fans have turned to blaming the referees, especially after the match vs. Atlético when UEFA and the world agreed with them that they were robbed, and the head ref and VAR refs suspended. But it wasn't like that this time. While there were inconsistencies and errors in Brych's reffing, they were not as egregious. This time, Porto controlled the game and took 20 shots compared to Milan's four. But Milan fans also know that with three matches left in the Group Stage and zero points, our Champions League experience will almost undoubtedly end after the next three matches now. Decimated by injuries, and having such a bad night tonight, it always hurts worst after the battle.

Current mood

FC Porto-AC Milan Preview: Facing Our Dragons

When our Champions League group was drawn, everyone acknowledged that every team in this group was difficult, there were no "easy" matches. However, these matches with Porto seemed like the most realistic for us to hope for a result, particularly given that their wage bill is less than half of ours. But the Dragões eliminated Juventus from the competition last year, in one of the best games of football in recent memory as well as a perfect example of how heart can overcome any other deficit, and thus are not to be underestimated. They are not the only dragons Milan are facing, though. We have a preposterous amount of injuries, and Kessié will be suspended, too. Plus, we have been burned by refereeing, too. Going to the Estádio do Dragão (Dragon's Stadium) in Portugal on Tuesday will see us facing our dragons.

Injuries and referees are our biggest dragons this season

Milan 3, Verona 2: Heart

The injuries going into this match were incredibly nerve wracking. Those nerves only intensified when Verona came out like a dog running rampant in a meat factory, and Milan showed... well, let's say less intensity than usual. Maybe it was because there was no visible crest over their hearts, but a bunch of watermarked ones instead. The first half was like watching a train wreck, but with your family on the train. But Pioli subbed on heart and soul in the second half, also known as Castillejo and Krunić. And together, they brought the team back together, and back from a two-nil deficit to actually win this one. Despite wearing kits that look like pajamas, they showed the world what it really means to play with heart.

Heroes wear... pajamas? Still questioning that third kit

Milan-Verona Preview: Zombie Apocalypse

It's not even Halloween yet, and Milan look like the walking dead. One by one, our players have succumbed to whatever is going on at Milanello. The injuries are not even primarily muscle injuries, like we survived during Allegri's reign of terror. There are random and unusual injuries, with three players needing surgery so far this season, and this is only week eight. Just when you thought that it couldn't get any worse, someone gets COVID-19, even when vaccinated. That is the story going into this match. Not looking for the win, not being undefeated in the league and breathing down Napoli's neck. Fans went from optimism to despair over our zombie apocalypse.

Heal up fast, Super Eagle

Milan's Tragic Luck

After years of decline and neglect of the club, Maldini had almost singlehandedly dragged Milan back on track. Creating a team with youth, talent, and fantastic football, returning to the Champions League this season was a dream come true. But for some reason, our dreams keep turning to nightmares. We were cursed with some very poor refereeing. And there are also the injuries. Not unlike last season, no matter how hard we work, and against the most insurmountable odds, just when we thought we had caught a break, we are slammed once again with another tragedy, more bad luck.

I blame Suárez (even though it was the other hand)

A New Stadium for Milan: Promises, Promises

When Berlusconi appointed his daughter, Barbara as co-CEO of Milan, One of her projects was to build a new stadium. However, after wasting a ton of money in architectural plans, permits, and more and getting the first approval for the second or third location and entire stadium project, in 2015, Papa Silvio said he was too in love with the San Siro and scrapped all plans to build. Or move the club forward, or build any kind of financial stability. Fast forward to 2017, when Yonghong Li infamously bought the club, and said that he, too would build a new stadium. But he couldn't even pay his debts, let alone build a stadium. As with everything else in his short-lived ownership (and his bank accounts,) it was just an empty promise.

The "Cathedral" design by Populous could light up differently for either club

Toxic Fan Environment

Wednesday was a very low point for Milan fans. And we have had way too many low points in the past ten years. After abusing their own player for four years over rumors that were never even true, they abused their country's own player for an entire Italy match. Which Italy then lost. At one point, the opposing captain came over to reassure him, that's how embarrassing it was. Italy manager Roberto Mancini condemned the abuse, and rightfully so. I have no idea why fans would go to a match specifically and intentionally to abuse a player, the definition of a fan is to support your own players. Or at least watch football. But this was very shortsighted of Milan fans, who have been creating an increasingly toxic fan environment, because we have a number of players who we need to renew. What player would want to stay at Milan after seeing how "fans" treated one of their own? A player who was playing for his whole country, not a bunch of ungrateful, entitled delinquents.

Does it make you feel good about yourself to make someone else cry?

Podcast: Atalanta Frenemy

Milan are flying high after remaining undefeated after seven Serie A matches, but for this podcast I invited a guest who was our opponent on Sunday, and he was kind enough to speak to me following Atalanta's defeat. Kenny from the Scudetto Podcast joined me to talk about how he became an Atalanta fan, our team's respective fortunes so far in Serie A and the Champions League, and obviously the match. We also spoke about the referees and the financial side of football in the wake of COVID-19 and the Super League project.

Mutual respect

Racism: Not "Just Words"

Those who have never been marginalized, discriminated against, antagonized, abused, or even simply treated differently based on race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation or other inherent attribute often do not understand. They say to someone being abused that they are "just words" or tell them to "just ignore" whatever form of discrimination. Telling someone that they are above the abuse while the abuse continues doesn't change what racism actually is and does. Racism takes a level playing field and sets certain people on a lower level. Because racism is not "just words."

Not just words