Fired Up in France

Going to Marseille, we knew this would not be an ordinary friendly, because the Stade Vélodrome was nearly sold out, with over 60,000 fans expected to attend. Plus, there is history. Milan actually lost a Champions League final to Marseille almost 30 years ago, in 1993. So it was a fiery atmosphere (complete with flares) when the two clubs took the pitch to Van Halen's "Jump," the nearly 40 year-old song that Milan used to play at the San Siro under Berlusconi's tenure. With fouls and cards galore, even a red card, both teams were fired up in France for Milan's 2-0 victory over Marseille.

Kjaer is back.

Austrian Expedition

After a disappointing preseason performance on Saturday in Hungary, Pioli made no mistakes in his starting lineup in Klagenfurt against Austrian side Wolfsberger. Despite the Austrians' best efforts, Milan took no prisoners, with the match ending 5-0 for the Rossoneri. While these matches are truly meaningless in the overall scheme of things, this result perhaps gave fans a bit of comfort considering the lack of significant investments in the transfer market. After watching the team go for a lovely bike ride in Klagenfurt earlier in the week, this match felt like more of an Austrian expedition. 

The starting 11 for our expedition

Humbled in Hungary

Milan traveled to Hungary on Saturday to face Zalaegerszegi Te FC (ZTE), the team that finished eighth in the Hungarian league, also known as Nemzeti Baznokság I. In the intense summer heat, the Italian Champions lost 3-2 to the Hungarian side, having gone down 3-0 in the first 27 minutes. It was Milan's first preseason loss since Giampaolo was on the bench in 2019, Pioli's first preseason loss at Milan at all. Was it the weight of the history of the new white Champions League kits, with their seven stripes representing our seven trophies? Or was it luck on the Hungarian team's part? Or was it just dumb errors? Or a combination of all of these? Whatever the case, Milan were humbled in Hungary.

When Krunić is the only one scoring from the run of play, you might have problems

Mercato Choices: The Price of Instant Gratification

The transfer market is full of choices. There are choices of teams, choices of players. Choices made to spend now to try to win now, choices made to invest in youth to plan to win later. Some players choose to go to what they perceive as bigger clubs with bigger players to try to win now, only to realize that they are part of a project in a downward arc. Other players take a chance on projects with younger players with a project they believe in, hoping to be the next big thing. Maldini's project has required a bit of patience, but has taken a bit of both worlds, although maintaining sustainability above all else, and paid off early. Other clubs are still spending big on older players, trying to buy success. Some of our players have left in pursuit of earlier success. But what is the price of instant gratification?

Milan believe in developing youth like Adli, purchased last summer... aka delayed gratification

Souvenirs from Germany

Milan played their first official preseason match on Saturday, the Telekom Cup vs. FC Köln in Germany. With many of the starters having just returned on Friday due to International duty after the season, Pioli had the opportunity to play a lot of bench and Primavera players. With the transfer window only just started and so many players unavailable, this match was never going to be any kind of indication of how the team will play this season. There was a trophy up for grabs, however, and we learned a few things by getting to see some people play who do not normally get playing time. So we did bring home some souvenirs from Germany.

The team that cannot stop winning

La Leyenda de Samu Castillejo

Once in a lifetime you will see a player like Samu Castillejo come to a club like Milan, and you will never forget it. It was not just about the perennially bleached hair and the one-of-a-kind fashion. He was also a Milan supporter as a child, dedicated and hardworking, and so committed to the club that he simply did not want to leave... ever. Until he did. This week, as news broke that the Spanish winger was rescinding his contract to join Gattuso at Valencia, it felt like a fairy tale was over or a legend was ending forever – la leyenda de Samu Castillejo.

Others may try, but there will never be another Samu Castillejo

Grazie Capitano

Alessio Romagnoli came to Milan in a time of turmoil, a talented young defender who was a bright spot in a time of darkness for this club. By sticking it out through all of those difficult years, his loyalty was repaid with a heavy captain's armband at an early age. Then, as the club grew brighter together, his luster faded, and suddenly he was no longer the best defender or even leader at the club. Negotiations with the club over his expiring contract went on for over a year, and finally, he decided to leave on a free transfer. He did so in the best possible way, after having lifted the Scudetto as captain, and now has the opportunity to sign with the club of his heart. He gave us seven years of his career, seven years of his life, living through seven years of drastic changes at Milan. Grazie, Capitano.

Grazie, Capitano

Raduno 2022: Call of the Champions

The first day back at Milanello each summer is known as Raduno, or "rally," and is usually charged with excitement. This year is a little different, because of the delay of Milan's mercato and the poor way that the renewal of Maldini and Massara's contracts were handled with the sale of the club in progress. The club has chosen to release the first kit today as well, although a presale has already been underway which has reportedly been very successful. While many of the players who played for their national teams will likely not return just yet, we will get to see others we have been looking forward to seeing suit up for the first time this season as Champions of Italy.

The party is over, time to get back to work