The Ghost of Maldini Looms Over Milan

The San Siro stadium began to empty of its fans more than seven minutes before the end of the match between Milan and Atalanta, reflecting the level of frustration experienced by Rossoneri supporters this season.

The "Curva Sud" fans left early in preparation for post-match protests, while many supporters preferred not to stay until the final whistle after watching their team suffer a harsh 3-2 defeat at home. This loss left Milan with only 7 points from the last 8 matches, a record surpassed in poor performance by only three teams in the Italian league, two of which have already been relegated to the second division.

Despite the alarming decline in results, AC Milan still holds the fourth position in the standings, but its spot for the Champions League qualification is now severely threatened. Ironically, until last March, the team was one of the top contenders for the title and was the last team to defeat Inter, the league champion this season.

With the decline in performance, AC Milan fans began to recall the name of the legend Paolo Maldini, not only because of his historical glories as a player but also due to the role he played administratively in building the team that won the Italian league in the 2021-2022 season before he was dismissed from his position in 2023 following disagreements with the current management over spending and investment policies.

The hiring of coach Massimiliano Allegri last summer was seen as a step to restore stability and ensure qualification for the Champions League, especially after a strong transfer market that included prominent names like Luka Modric, Christopher Nkunku, Adrien Rabiot, and Samuele Ricci. However, the team relied heavily on the individual brilliance of some stars like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão. With their form declining and injuries hitting the squad, Milan's collective problems became evident. Against Atalanta, the team appeared disjointed and unable to cope with the opponent's pressure and tactical organization.

Before the match, AC Milan fans organized strong protests against the management, displaying the phrase "G.F OUT" in the stands, referring to CEO Giorgio Furlani, demanding his departure. Although the team made a late comeback and scored two goals, nearly securing a draw in the final minutes, the 3-2 defeat did nothing to alleviate the anger and despair gripping the Rossoneri fans. With only two rounds left in the season, the task of maintaining fourth place seems extremely complicated, especially given the team's declining performance and the loss of confidence at San Siro.