Empoli-Milan Preview: Strength in Affliction

Milan suffered numerous injuries over this international break, having up to nine players simultaneously injured at one point. While a few have recovered or are in the process of recovering in time for Saturday's match, this situation, where Milan have numerous key players with long-term injuries, is all too familiar. In the past, this has been a time when the other players rose to the occasion and compensated for the missing pieces, but there is some question as to whether or not they will be able to continue to do this. These next few games will be a test to see if Milan still really does find strength in affliction.

When Milan are missing players, others step up... right?

Milan's International Break: Everybody Hurts

Like an abusive relationship that Milan can never escape, the injury crisis is back in full force at Milan. Not content with the long-term injuries that were quietly adding up, a couple of players over-extended themselves versus Napoli, compensating for the lack of Leão. Then the players went on international duty. Sixteen players, to be exact, and one by one, after only two days of international competition, Pioli has a full-blown injury crisis on his hands. Of course the injuries have to happen now, when the competition is tougher than ever and we actually have a decent chance in the Champions League. But when players are injured, everybody hurts.

Leaving a huge hole in our starting 11

Milan 1, Napoli 2: Heartbreak Loss

Milan's 22 match unbeaten streak was broken in front of over 72,000 fans at the San Siro in a 2-1 loss to Napoli. Their last loss in the league was... well, we don't really want to remember that one, either. Despite taking more than double the shots that Napoli took, and still being impacted by some questionable refereeing from last week, the scoreline was gifted to the visitors. Not quite in the unsavory way it was handed them last year in this fixture, but Napoli were incredibly lucky to come away with three points. Not that they did not play well, only that Milan played better for longer periods of the game. Obviously, Milan did not convert their chances and did not do enough to win, either. But it was a bitter pill to swallow after a valiant effort despite all odds. We go into the break with a heartbreak.

When you've given all you have and still don't get the result

Milan-Napoli Preview: One More Game

Much is being made of this matchup. Both Milan and Napoli are undefeated this season, both on 14 points, with only goal differential putting Napoli ahead of Milan coming into this one. There will be over 70,000 fans at the San Siro, 5,000 of those being traveling Napoli supporters. Oh, and in case any Milan fans have forgotten, the last time this fixture was played, a very bizarre referee call changed the outcome of the match in Napoli's favor. Napoli were contenders for the Scudetto up to a certain point last season, but were unable to keep up in the end. So both teams with young, exciting players, both teams in great form, and both teams with something to prove. Oh, and it is also the last league match before the International break. But if the managers have done their jobs well, for the players, it will be just one more game.

One more game for our stellar center backs, even if they will be tested

AC Milan 3, GNK Dinamo Zagreb 1: All Grown Up

Milan's return to the Champions League last season was marred by inexperience, refereeing controversy and a true Group of Death, featuring Liverpool, Atlético Madrid, and FC Porto. This season got off to a nervy start with a 1-1 draw away to Salzburg, producing four different yellow cards for Milan players, as well. But playing the first home Champions League match of the season, despite hosting a surprising GNK Dinamo Zagreb, Milan showed how much they've grown by closing out the 3-1 win. We also go to see a very special debut goal from a Milan youth product who has dutifully completed two loan spells and is finally back where he belongs. That's right, Tommaso Pobega is all grown up.

Our Milan Youth players are all grown up

Champions League Group Stage • AC Milan vs. GNK Dinamo Zagreb: Surprise Attack

Milan are hosting surprise Champions League Group E leaders Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday at the San Siro. The Croatian side won their match against Chelsea on match day one, which puts them ahead of Milan and Salzburg, who finished with a 1-1 draw last week. Now they are coming for Milan, who are struggling to have enough healthy bodies in attack themselves. Dinamo won by surprising Chelsea with a single goal on a quick counter attack, but that was in their house. Milan will have their fans to support them, and Pioli may have just enough to be able to to put together a surprise attack.

Leão will be even more motivated for this one
(Milan are wearing the Fondazione Milan logo on their backs for every UCL match to celebrate 20 years of giving back)

Sampdoria 1, Milan 2: Brutal Win

Milan finally won a match away, but it was a very costly win. Thanks to some controversial refereeing by Fabbri as well as some assistance from Abisso in the VAR booth, the match was far closer than the skill levels which were demonstrated by both teams, especially with Milan playing on 10 men for 45 minutes. That also means we have more tired legs, which does not bode well for our midweek Champions League match. Worst of all, Leão will be suspended for the Napoli match next week, further compounding an attack riddled with injuries right now. So while it was a tremendous relief to bring all three points home from Genoa, this one was definitely a brutal win.

A win, but at what cost? 

Sampdoria-Milan Preview: One for the Road

Despite being undefeated in the league since the notorious defeat to Spezia Serra in January, Milan have yet to win an away match this season. Whereas last year, playing away was a strength, this season, it seems to be their weakness. However, Sampdoria are still managed by the mighty Giampaolo and have yet to win a game this season, so there is hope that Milan could bring back all three points from the Marassi on Saturday. Maybe they will finally break the curse and make this one for the road.

Bring one home for us, guys. You got this.

FC Salzburg 1, AC Milan 1: Neutralized

Milan have developed a reputation for being a young, fast, and attacking team in Serie A. It turns out that the best way to neutralize a team like that is to play a team that is even younger, and also fast and attacking. That is exactly the kind of team that Salzburg have, and it worked like a charm for pretty much 90 minutes at their sold out Red Bull stadium, despite having 1,500 very loud Milan supporters in attendance. At full time, a 1-1 draw was all Milan could manage, they were basically neutralized.

You know you're in trouble when your only goal comes from Saelemaekers

Champions League Group Stage • FC Salzburg vs. AC Milan: Commitment to Youth

Milan head back to Austria, the site of their summer ritiro, but this time to Salzburg to begin their Champions League campaign. This trip will not be about riding bicycles through the countryside, though. Red Bull Salzburg are the Austrian Champions, and also made it through their Champions League Group Stage last season (albeit in a group of Sevilla, Lille, and Wolfsburg, compared to our group of death.) But the most amazing thing about Red Bull Salzburg is that they are a selling club, devoted to finding young talent and developing them, then selling them for a profit. By young, I mean that they fielded a team with an average age of 21.8 years of age already this season. Even their coach is only 34 years old. Now that is a commitment to youth.

These guys are ancient compared to Salzburg's side

Milan 3, Inter 2: Good as Gold

Other than a few minutes here and there where Inter tested Maignan and Milan's defense in general, Milan dominated for most of the game. Several Milan players turned in Derby-worthy performances, but it was our two Ballon d'Or nominees who really demonstrated their quality in the 3-2 win over Inter. Leão with the two goals and the assist was unstoppable in their end, while Maignan made every stop possible at our end. They were both performances that were as good as gold.

Everything Leão touches turns to gold.

Milan-Inter Preview: Score to Settle

The past two seasons have seen Milan and Inter finish first and second in the league back to back for the first time ever, splitting the spoils. Except for Calhanoglu, of course, he lost both times. Last season, the first league Derby was a 1-1 draw, thanks to some creative refereeing, and Milan won the second Derby in February. However, the Coppa Italia matchups were a 0-0 draw and then a 3-0 loss to Inter, which loss inspired Milan to win the Scudetto, according to many of the Milan players. Inter's project of buying players they could literally not afford to pay contrasts sharply with Milan's project of sustainability, youth, and growth, and that contrast has only intensified the rivalry. Last season, Milan won the league with a wage bill that was nearly half of Inter's, and against all odds. This year, Milan want to put all controversy to bed and win their second star ahead of Inter. Milan have a score to settle.

Nevermind that 2 of this starting 11 are already injured, we are coming for you, Inter

Thank You, Elliott Management

Four years ago, Elliott Management took over AC Milan literally by default. As one of their biggest skeptics, now that they have officially turned the club over to RedBird Capital, I can only say thank you. Despite never having run a football club and having a global reputation for being a vulture fund, Elliott did almost everything they said they would do, even during a global pandemic. They kept their promises, unlike any other owner in the past forty years, and Milan are in the best shape financially that they have been during those years, as well. They brought back Maldini and oversaw a project to modernize the club, with a project that is exciting – and even winning – with young talent that promises a bright future. They are leaving the club so much better than they found it. So thank you, Elliott management.

Their vision and backing have propelled Milan back to the top in record time