Milan-Roma Preview: How it Started, How it's Going

This year, 2024, started off with a manager under fire, injuries, and fans quickly losing faith in management. Ironically, that is how we went into our home match with Roma in January. But, in spite of hiring a new manager and having slightly fewer injuries, Milan come into this match looking far more bleak, with fans openly protesting everything management says or does, and a manager who everyone (perhaps even him?) knows does not deserve to be here. Luckily, Roma has suffered a similar fate, so perhaps we have a chance. However, I do not feel confident in pulling off the confident 3-1 victory against Roma that our Frenchmen gave us in January, and not just because those players left, were pushed out, or are being benched by this manager, either. All you have to do is to look at how it started and how it's going.

He was once a jolly old elf, now he has been kicked to the Capital.

Verona 0, Milan 1: The Grinch Who Stole Milan

If Milan were Whoville, our Christmas has definitely been Grinched. We defeated Verona 1-0 away at the Bentegodi, but it does not feel happy at all. We cannot even enjoy our victories anymore, not even with sublime goals and assists. Because even when we win, if they do not get injured, our players are subjected to the horrific insults, gaslighting, and veiled threats our Grinchy manager makes to them. And this week, we found out that our evil overlord Cardinale refinanced his vendor loan to keep our beloved club under his incompetent tentacles through 2028. And as if that was not already a bad week, Verona fans shouted racist insults to Maignan, too. This does not feel festive at all, it's like the Grinch who stole Milan.

Stink. Stank. Stunk.

Verona-Milan Preview: Rescue Milan

As if things were not bad enough at Milan already, just before Christmas, they are heading to Verona in eighth place on the table. Not only does that mean more press conferences where Fonseca defers all accountability and completely blames his players, it also means we have to listen to him... again. While wishful rumors in the press heat up surrounding the stability of his job and who might replace him, he insists that his job is safe, because it's just those pesky players. Verona have clearly looked at our situation and taken pity on us like animals in need of rescue. Because for this match, they developed an initiative for the players to bring out rescue puppies onto the pitch. I know those puppies all need homes, I just someone would come and rescue Milan.

Theo could use a rescue right now... from Fonseca.

Milan 0, Genoa 0: Party Foul

When Fonseca arrived, I conceded that this management had set him up to fail. But he lost my support with his words and actions by the Lazio match at the end of August. Benching his three captains as a power play was wrong on every level, and has backfired in further loss of respect, as well as Milan losing points. His bizarre outburst after the win vs. Red Star on Wednesday might have given him credibility if it would have worked, but it did not. Milan drew 0-0 to 14th place Genoa. A tragic irony that we could not score a single goal as the Club honored three of its most prolific goal scorers of all time. Not to mention that after his rant about the referee last week after Atalanta, he should not have even been on the bench. The entire match, his entire presence was just one gigantic party foul during Milan's historic 125th Anniversary celebration.

The party crashers.

Milan-Genoa Preview: Celebrating History... Or Something

Sunday, Milan has invited Genoa to the Club's 125th Anniversary party. Milan was founded on December 16th, 1899, so this management has vowed to make as much money as possible by marketing 125 years of Rossoneri history. They created a special kit that is a throwback to the early kits, and they had fans vote between specific elements that they had preselected about a year ago. That kit will be worn by the players for this match. They claim to have created the Milan Hall of Fame, which actually already existed for many years, but this time, they are using marketing to vote players into it by position, which is such a disgusting, asinine, American thing to do. They invited a bunch of former players, but not others. And whatever celebration they have planned will begin an hour before the match and be streamed on the official Milan App. But in this current club environment, I know I don't feel much like a party. So I guess on Sunday, we'll all be celebrating history... or something.

Representing 125 years of history.

AC Milan 2, FK Crvena zvezda 1: Rage Against the Win

Milan fans have suffered a lot of disappointment this season, and been angry when the team lost or dropped points when they should not have. However, despite winning their last four Champions League matches, so many fans have actually been almost more angry about the performance when Milan won the last two. This 2-1 win over Crvena zvezda was perhaps unnecessarily difficult, even Savićević, who played for both teams during his career, pointed out how much stronger this Milan team is than this Red Star team. A subpar performance does not bother me as much as long as we get the result, although it is unfortunate when we also have new injuries. But when the performance was impacted by the poor managing skills of Fonseca, and then he takes zero accountability and he lashes out and blames someone else, then I am not okay with it at all. And this postmatch press conference was his worst ever, leaving fans everywhere to rage against the win.

This should have been a win to celebrate.

Champions League • League Phase • AC Milan vs. FK Crvena zvezda: When Krunić Comes to Town

After the loss on Friday to Atalanta, and with the intensely over-marketed 125th Anniversary celebration happening this Sunday, there is a bizarre mix of failure and corporate hype happening at the club right now. That would make people uneasy going into any match, but especially a Champions League match where there is the weight of history and the mirror of reality mixed in with a little bit of random hope someone found in the corner of the dressing room. That will be the mood when Red Star and Krunić comes to town.

Past, present, and future successes and failures all in one picture

Atalanta 2, Milan 1: December Curse in Bergamo

The result of this match was not really a surprise to those who have been paying attention. After all, the Christmas massacre happened away to Atalanta in 2019, with La Penna the referee. Last December, Milan lost 3-2 at the Gewiss, La Penna was the referee. So in losing 2-1 away to Atalanta on Friday with La Penna as the referee, the only mystery was what the scoreline would be and who would score. Our destiny was predetermined. That De Ketelaere would score the opener was really kind of predictable, too, actually. It was all a part of Milan's December Curse in Bergamo.

I do believe in curses after three losses with the same ref in the same stadium, always in December.

Atalanta-Milan Preview: Save Us, St. Nicholas

Friday, Milan will travel to Bergamo to face Atalanta. Friday also happens to be St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated in many countries by the giving of gifts. St. Nicholas was known for his generosity, so I am personally calling upon him for help in this one. Ever since the traumatic Christmas Massacre in Bergamo a mere five years ago, Milan has fared well playing away to Atalanta when the match was not played in December. However, last year, Milan suffered a 3-2 loss again to Gasperini's side when played in this month. And as if that wasn't omen enough, the referee for this match is La Penna, the same referee who presided over the 5-0 massacre in 2019. So Milan will need more than luck against La Dea (the Goddess.) That's why I'm pleading to please save us, St. Nicholas.

Save all of us, please, St. Nicholas.

Milan 6, Sassuolo 1: SuperMilan

When you consider that Sassuolo has oft been Milan's Kryptonite team, one wonders if the team wore their lead suits to protect them in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 match or something. Because Sassuolo had almost no effect on Milan at all, allowing the Rossoneri to defeat them like a Superhero takes down a Super villain. With Milan destroying Sassuolo 6-1, they progress to the Coppa Italia Quarterfinals in February, where they will face either Super villains Sampdoria or Roma in a single elimination match. After their Superhero performances in the Derby, against Real Madrid in the Champions League, and then against Empoli on Saturday, it was fun to watch another convincing performance from SuperMilan.

SuperMilan.

Coppa Italia Round of 16 • Milan-Sassuolo Preview: B-ware

Milan host our Kryptonite team, Sassuolo, at the San Siro on Tuesday night in the Coppa Italia Round of 16. While there have been good memories, such as winning the Scudetto with a 3-0 win over Sassuolo in their house just over two years ago, there have also been awful defeats, such as the 3-1 loss to them that same season at the San Siro. And we can never forget Berardi, who has scored 11 goals against Milan in his career, and who specializes in scoring at the Stadio San Siro. Fonseca said lots of the right words to indicate that he is aware of the dangers, but as usual, he is planning to over-rotate. Sassuolo come into this as Serie B leaders, so let's hope that Fonseca knows enough to B-ware

Sassuolo are a team who will sneak up on you and chase you down.

Milan 3, Empoli 0: Thinking Clearly

On a very foggy night in Milano, it seemed that somehow, everyone was finally thinking clearly. Milan finally produced their third convincing performance of the season, and just in time, too, against an Empoli that had been doing very well. The 3-0 win over Empoli was so refreshing, like a beacon of light in the... well, foggy night. Perhaps it was the Serie A weekend dedication to football for all, including Fondazione Milan's Briantea team, a shining light of how inclusion brings purpose and joy to all, not just the players. Or perhaps, it was because Fonseca finally allowed Leão to start a match and play 84 minutes without too much fanfare, and even if he didn't personally score, he was yet again an integral cog in our offense. Perhaps the fog isolated the team from the absurd media and fan criticism, or maybe it just helped so that everyone was simultaneously thinking clearly.

Somehow, everyone saw more clearly in the fog.

Milan-Empoli Preview: Get the Balance Right

It goes without saying that Milan's season has been a mostly unpleasant rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, twists and turns, mainly the kind that leaves you wanting to vomit and with your head pounding. Obviously, there were two matches that stand out in a positive way – the Derby and the Champions League match with Real Madrid. Always followed by shockingly poor performances. And the rest of the season has been an unnecessarily rough road made even rougher by a stubborn, prideful manager who has punished no only certain players, but the entire team and fanbase with his bizarre obsession with his version of equality... or whatever. But whatever the problems are – tactically, mentality, pride and insanity – thus far, Fonseca has not managed to get the balance right.

Why is it so hard to admit you need to play your best player?

ŠK Slovan Bratislava 2, AC Milan 3: Empty Calories

Have you ever eaten something that was not even satisfying? Something that left you feeling worse than before you ate, something that did not even provide nourishment, but was just empty calories? That was kind of how this win was. Sure, Milan got the 3-2 win over Slovan Bratislava. And it was even the third win in the Champions League, which pushed Milan way up the table. But allowing Slovan Bratislava to double their goal tally from their first four matches in just one match was alarming. And Fonseca's obsession with benching Leão, but his insistence upon starting others is not only hypocritical, it's actually harming our performances and results now. So even a win doesn't feel like a win, or even satisfying anymore. It just feels like empty calories.

Victory never tasted so... empty? Unfulfilling?

Champions League • League Phase • ŠK Slovan Bratislava vs. AC Milan: Keeping the Dream Alive

Another Champions League match is upon us in the new League Phase, and Milan lost their first two matches vs. Liverpool at San Siro and Bayer Leverkusen away, then managed to win vs. both a ten man Club Brugge and Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. That sees Milan currently in 20th place on the table, currently within the unseeded spots for the knockout round. Which brings us to Tuesday's matchup in Slovakia with ŠK Slovan Bratislava, with perhaps no one more excited than their own Juraj Kucka, whose reaction to our draw went viral. The hosts are still looking for their first Champions League points, sitting dead last on the table. After watching Milan's performance vs. Juventus on Saturday, they must truly be keeping the dream alive.

The team want to keep Milan's Champions League dream alive.

Milan 0, Juventus 0: Wake Me When It's Over

Two good performances in 16 matches now. That is double the number of shots Milan had on target in this match, a lackluster 0-0 draw with Juventus. At least we kept a clean sheet, but that was probably because of the strikerless-Juve only got two shots on target themselves. Fonseca did not really have any answers postmatch as to the poor showing, because he has run out of excuses. The longer we keep him at the club, the lower Milan's chances for success this season become. But this match should have told you that, if the first 15 matches did not give it away. It was a match worth sleeping through in a season that is quickly becoming a nightmare. Wake me when it's over.

This was about as fierce as it got, unfortunately.

Milan-Juventus Preview: The Lesser of Two Evils

When it came to choosing a new manager this summer, fans wanted an established, big name manager. If they could not have that, they wanted an up-and-coming young manager such as Thiago Motta, who made a name for himself at Bologna the past two years. Instead, management chose Paulo Fonseca, a manager who constantly complains about the way teams play in Serie A, and also about having to manage the team to compete in this league. Success-wise, Stefano Pioli is comfortably making €12 million per year (three times what Milan paid him, tax free,) in Saudi Arabia, with a team of just a few superstars and mostly unknowns, sitting in third place in the Saudi Pro League. But since it seemed like everyone wanted him gone, Milan could have chosen the lesser of two evils, which looks to be Motta, who has Juventus six full points ahead of Milan on the table in sixth place. Instead, they went with Fonseca, the lesser paid of two evils. 

There is evil, and there is less than.

Cagliari 3, Milan 3: Are We Really Doing This Still?

Saturday's 3-3 draw away to Cagliari was a harsh return to reality after Milan's miraculous performance in the Champions League vs. Real Madrid. While those of us who have not blindly accepted the results of two great performances in 15 matches understand the limitations and failings of Fonseca at this level, it is still possible to be disappointed that he is still here when other teams with comparable performances or results have already changed their managers at least once. Of course, we should not be surprised with a management that have practically zero experience at their positions and have shown us their incompetence time and time again. However, watching this match was still incredibly annyoing. Are we really doing this still?

Even the players look tired of this same old story.

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.

Milan 0, Napoli 2: Misery

Reading Stephen King's Misery is far more terrifying than the movie could ever be. But I am beginning to feel like we are all the writer in the story, Paul Sheldon, and Fonseca is our Annie. He says he is our "biggest fan," that he is benching our best players "for tactical reasons," but in actuality, he is holding us hostage and torturing us and making both our players and us fans suffer unbearable amounts of pain until he gets his way. Even if his way means only five wins in 12 matches, or losing 2-0 to a team that we absolutely owned, even in the Champions League,  just over a year ago. Fonseca's man management tactics are a source of pure misery.

When you are compared to the protagonist in a psychological thriller, you may be the problem.

Milan-Napoli Preview: Conte Is Finally Here

When there were finally credible rumors of Pioli being sacked, so many fans wanted Conte at Milan. Reports were that he was even Ibrahimović's first choice, but who knows if that was ever true. Well, now Conte is finally going to be at Milan, but not in the way Milan fans wanted. He comes to the San Siro as the manager of Napoli, who are four points clear at the top of the table and showing no signs of slowing down. Worse still, with the Bologna match being postponed on Saturday, Milan will be missing two key players that we otherwise would have had. Then there are new injuries, and whatever narcissistic psychological warfare Fonseca is playing with Leão. So, not great timing, but the fans asked for it, and Conte is finally here,

Conte is coming to Milan, but not in the way supporters wanted.

AC Milan 3, Club Brugge KV 1: Emotional Roller Coaster

Milan finally have three points from three Champions League matches, although to be fair, the referee and Club Brugge deserve as much credit as Milan for winning 3-1 on Tuesday. While Fonseca made a lot of questionable decisions within this match, Brugge outplayed Milan for much of the time, even partially while down to ten men. But the first half red card was the most influential factor to the outcome. Well, that and a Reijnders brace, a Pulisic corner that turned into a goal, and Camarda's Champions League debut and his goal that was called back for offside. It was definitely an eventful match and an emotional roller coaster.

So many ups and downs in this match, a heart rate monitor would have broken.

Champions League • League Phase • AC Milan vs. Club Brugge KV: The Search for Points

They say the third time is a charm, and for Milan's sake, I really hope this holds true. On Tuesday evening, AC Milan host Club Brugge for our third Champions League match of this new League Phase. Brugge have something that Milan do not: a win in this new format. Despite the fact that seven time Champions League winning side Milan should be considered favorites in this one, we currently sit in 32nd place of the 36 teams. So for Milan, a result would not only be massive, it is becoming quite necessary. And a nice goal differential would be helpful, too. This one is all about the search for points.

Still looking for that first UCL win...

Milan 1, Udinese 0: When VAR is MOTM

Milan won this match 1-0 vs. Udinese, and if you enjoyed it, either your name is Fonseca, or you hate football. Many are upset with the referee, Chiffi, but in actuality, he only enforced the rules. With the help of VAR, of course, which was also used correctly. First, Reijnders was sent off in just under 30 minutes with a straight red that seemed criminal. Chiffi called it, and VAR reviewed it and agreed. Then Udinese had not just one, but two goals called back for offside, both overturned by VAR review, even though Chiffi had originally awarded them both. Without VAR, this match would have ended at least 2-1 for Udinese. Instead, Milan took all three points, leaving a bad taste in everyone's match, and a whole bunch of stoppage time at the end. That is what happens when VAR is the Man of the Match.

When VAR is the focus, warriors like these will be forced to suffer.

Milan-Udinese Preview: Redemption or Relapse

Like picking up a cliffhanger of a book where you were forced to leave off, our Fonseca season picks back up again when Milan host Udinese at the San Siro. Amidst poor results, defiant players, a manager's tantrum, injuries, and even a player suspended, Fonseca needs to pull this team together to try to pull points off of a team who is actually two points ahead of us on the table. He's basically got two choices: redemption or relapse.

Fonseca will need a lot more from his team for redemption.

Fiorentina 2, Milan 1: Pandemonium

Sunday's match had everything. Three saved penalties. Managers carded or sent off. A player scoring against the team that owned him (but not celebrating.) Five yellow cards amongst some very questionable refereeing. A captain sent off after the final whistle. And amongst all the insanity, Milan lost 2-1 to Fiorentina, dropping another three points. But the real chaos began with Fonseca's postmatch press conference when he raised some questions about some of the players' behaviors. Which in turn raised more questions about his man management and overall competency. So, once again, we have two weeks of an international break with Milan fans and the media in a complete state of pandemonium.

It felt like this for 90 minutes.

Fiorentina-Milan Preview: Refocus

Milan need to recover from their midweek trip to Germany and more importantly, any mentality drop from their Champions League loss to Bayer Leverkusen. With only one match before the international break, Fonseca will need to get them to refocus very quickly to ensure his position is not scrutinized again for the entire break until the next match. Given his obsession with the defensive tactics in Italy in his prematch press conference, it is not only the players who need to refocus.

The players need to recover, regroup, and refocus.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen 1, AC Milan 0: Built For Champions League?

Tuesday's Champions League match was frustrating to watch. Certainly, this Milan side are improved from the first few matches, where they looked completely lost. Then, there was the Swiss referee, who was anything but neutral, literally endangering out players for 90 minutes. But losing 1-0 to a powerful Bayer Leverkusen side with an incredible record was not the part that hurt. The part that was difficult to swallow was that we have been told by management that this squad is built for winning in the Champions League. Not only have they recklessly removed Milan's literal DNA, they wantonly and narcissistically dismantled the Scudetto winning team, even strengthening our rivals to do so. Based on last season's European performances and these first two matches, how could anyone think this team is built for Champions League?

Champions League mood.

Champions League • League Phase • Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. AC Milan: In Search of Milan's DNA

After the worst start in decades, Milan have three league wins under their belts. Sure, two were to relegation-level sides, but the Derby win meant more than a match. However, we lost our first Champions League match to Liverpool, and now we are away to Xabi Alonso's side who earned the nickname "Neverlusen" last year for their record breaking undefeated season. While Bayer Leverkusen have lost a match already this season, they still look much more solid than Milan, having played together as a team (and won) longer. And while Fonseca's prematch comments reflected his knowledge of this, he seemed way too overconfident. I don't sense that he truly understands what Milan's history is in this competition, so in addition to looking for the result, we will be in search of Milan's DNA.

This is not a stereotypical Italian defense, they need to find that Milan DNA.

Milan 3, Lecce 0: Third Gear

After a very rough start of the season in which performances actually looked even worse than results, on Friday, Milan actually recorded their third consecutive league win. In fact, we were kings for a day, briefly topping the Serie A table before the other matches in round six were played. Even if the match also got off to a very rough start, three quick goals put a painful end to Lecce's soul crushing week, while Milan took all 3 points with a 3-0 win at home. Perhaps Fonseca finally has these guys shifting into third gear.

A team united, with happy fans again.

Milan-Lecce Preview: The Return of Rebić

After a brilliant Derby win on Sunday, Milan host 17th place Lecce at the San Siro on Friday. The same Lecce who played and lost a Coppa Italia match on Tuesday. So Milan are rested and flying high, and Lecce are tired and demoralized after getting knocked out of the Coppa Italia.(Ironically, in doing so, they gave us our Coppa Italia opponents for December.) It should be easy, right? Not for Milan. And to make matters worse, Lecce are bringing an ex with them. Beloved former Milan badboy Ante Rebić returns to the scene of his many crimes in hopes of committing another one: remind Milan of what we lost. So, while this looks like it should be an easy one for Fonseca's men, they need to beware of the return of Rebić.

Hide your women and children, he's coming back to San Siro.

Inter 1, Milan 2: Written In the Stars

I believe in fate, I believe in destiny, and after this match, I believe in miracles. Milan beat Inter 2-1 to claim the Derby della Madonnina. Coming into this match, I, like every Milan fan I know, expected the worst. But the players knew how much this match meant. They knew what was at stake, and they did not want to become a part of a historic seventh straight Derby loss. Fonseca's tactical tweaking certainly helped with both effectiveness and confidence, and he also tried some extra morale boosting. Instead of benching key players, he reportedly planned a barbecue on Friday for the players, and placed a special message in the players' lockers ahead of the match. But perhaps the biggest motivator was the cardboard star Inter put on their kits after celebrating their last win at our home Derby in April. Or maybe it was the desperate-for-attention social media post of a certain former Milan player who now plays for Inter, but cannot stop talking about us. Despite one of the worst starts to a Milan season in decades, this win was written in the stars.

Redemption.

Inter vs. AC Milan: Dysfunctional Derby

Normally, the Derby brings out the bloodlust in me, and I always relish the opportunity to destroy the team that destroyed Serie A in the Calciopoli scandal in 2006. They have whined and complained for years, creating a belief that other teams were cheating, even when they were not. I absolutely despise them. But this Derby is very different. After unusual scheduling saw us meet them five times during the 2022-23 season, losing four out of five of those, then losing both Derbies last season, including them celebrating their league win and their cardboard second star at our home Derby in April, that makes six in a row that we have lost. Given the absolute meltdown at all levels of our club right now, with a complete lack of sporting results, while Inter are still cruising along like most clubs do after winning the league, this match does not give me much any hope. For Milan, this one will be a dysfunctional Derby.

Hard to watch these guys get thrown under the bus.