“Hell is empty, all the devils are here!” The stunning tifo unfurled by fans ahead of last Wednesday’s Champions League derby with Inter should have been the defining image of AC Milan’s week. Instead, it was the remarkable sight of Stefano Pioli and his players being lectured by an ultra on Saturday evening as they silently stood in front of the away section at Stadio Alberto Picco.
Were they being threatened or encouraged? Pioli and club president Paolo Scaroni both insist it was the latter, and there was a very public show of support from another set of fans at Milanello the very next day. However, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is clearly not so sure, having already opened an investigation into the impromptu pep talk after the Spezia setback.
What’s already clear, though, is that Milan’s campaign is on the brink of complete collapse…
The return of Rafael Leao should least inspire some confidence in what would be one of the great Champions League comebacks, with Milan trailing Inter 2-0 after last week’s first leg. Remember, the only side to have ever won a semi-final after losing the first leg by two goals or more is Liverpool, who overturned a 3-0 deficit against Barcelona on a famous night at Anfield in 2019.
Divock Origi, of course, played a prominent role in that dramatic turnaround, but it would be optimistic to expect a repeat performance from the Belgian at San Siro on Tuesday night, given he has managed to prove a woeful waste of money despite joining on a free transfer last summer.
Indeed, if the last week has taught us nothing else, it’s that Milan have a shocking lack of depth in attack.
