Cagliari-Milan Preview: In Camarda We Trust

Expectations were raised this week after a miraculous 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League. However, an accident in training left Morata hospitalized for a head injury, and concussion protocol means he will definitely not be available to travel to Sardinia Saturday evening. Tammy Abraham is still not fully fit after returning from his shoulder injury and Jović is still struggling with whatever his "injury" is that keeps him from playing for Milan, but allows him to play for Serbia. So Fonseca opted to give the 16 year-old phenom Francesco Camarda his first start for Milan in this match. While Fonseca is certainly not the first Milan manager to turn to a young player when injuries stacked up, it is helping journalists get clicks to sensationalize this call up. On the pitch, however, he has shown that he has earned this chance, so it is in Camarda we trust.

In Camarda we trust.

Real Madrid CF 1, AC Milan 3: Miracle at the Bernabéu

Tuesday's Champions League match exceeded all expectations. While Real Madrid were hoping for a reaction after their big loss to Barcelona, instead, they were shown their frailties in front of their own fans in their own stadium. And while Milan have struggled to play well or with any kind of consistency, Fonseca finally allowing Leão to play and starting his actual best 11 made the difference, as everyone stepped up and pulled off a 3-1 upset over the reigning Champions League holders. In a match with so much Champions League history, this made it even more spectacular, a match that was thrilling from start to finish as well. From the surprise Thiaw opener, to all the drama throughout and the final score being so convincing, this was a miracle at the Bernabéu.

This one absolutely felt like a win.

Champions League • League Phase • Real Madrid CF vs. AC Milan: In Carlo's House

Milan's fourth Champions League outing in the new League Phase sees the team traveling to the Bernabėu to face Real Madrid. This clash is highly anticipated, as it sees the two teams who have won the most Champions League titles face off. While Milan have seven titles to their name, Real Madrid are the current title holders and have won 15 Champions League trophies. More importantly, Carlo Ancelotti, the manager who has won the most Champions League trophies, won all five of his titles with these two clubs – two with AC Milan, and three now with Real Madrid. It is the most Champion League royalty that you could cram into a single match, with Carlo being the King of them all. And Milan will have to play in Carlo's house.

No one can touch Ancelotti.

Monza 0, Milan 1: Fonseca's Sorority

Milan pulled off the 1-0 win over Monza on Saturday, albeit with a controversial goal called off for Monza. (Three of Fonseca's six wins have come as a result of favorable VAR or referee calls.) The performance was worse, as the relegation-threatened Monza dominated for much of the first half, and Milan's play was unconvincing throughout. However, it was the postmatch press conference that demonstrated just how badly things are unraveling with Fonseca at Milan right now. He doubled down on his repeated benching of Leão, despite having been widely criticized by pundits and former coaches alike. But this time, he let something slip that was far more disturbing than anything he had previously said. He directly compared Leão to Loftus-Cheek and Musah and said that "Status does not play." For him, despite his choices actually costing us points, he looks at status ahead of technical ability. This is not a football team for him, this is like a bunch of catty girls vying for his approval, it is Fonseca's sorority.

When your teammate stand with you, no status is needed.

Monza-Milan Preview: Regrets

Most people have something in their lives that the regret. Some more than others. This match will be filled with plenty of regrets, on both sides. Whether it is a former CEO and director who abused his power to help destroy the club he claimed he loved, or the current CEO of that same club, who abused his power to destroy the club he claimed to love. Or that CEO getting a club director and legend fired and sending his third generation Milan son to the other club. Or perhaps it is that other club, who hired a former legend of the other club to manage their current club, and only has one league win this season. Not to mention the myriad regrets surrounding our own manager and results this season. Truly, this one will be filled with regrets.

Fonseca and the club have made plenty of poor decisions this year.