Gerry Cardinale is smiling. The founder of RedBird and AC Milan owner wasn't at San Siro, but he watched the game on TV from his home in the United States.
He had considered coming back to Italy to watch the match in person but decided to experience it from a distance instead. Still, the joy was intense and "special." He was hoping for a strong performance to push away the crisis and for a victory, especially since he hadn’t celebrated a win in the derby since September 3, 2022, the first of his era.
That's why he congratulated the AC Milan club managers and the coach, wrote La Gazetta dello Sport on their website. Now, Cardinale is feeling more at ease. Just like the directors who watched the game side by side and celebrated with the players in the locker room after the match, following the chants from the Curva Sud.
It was a true 'peace treaty' between the Rossoneri players and the fans: on Tuesday, the ultras had insulted them for their performance against Liverpool, but yesterday they were praised with chants and applause. Could this be the turning point of the season? Ibrahimovic hopes so, as it was his first derby win as an executive.
Before kickoff last night, Zlatan stepped up and spoke about his role, but he didn’t back down in his attitude: "Criticism is part of the job and the responsibility. I've been used to it since I was playing, for 25 years now, and it doesn’t bother me: it motivates me and fuels me. People talk about my role, but it doesn’t matter; what matters is Milan. Am I the boss? That means I can’t make jokes because not everyone understands them, so I need to be careful."
In the locker room, Ibra congratulated everyone, including Fonseca, whom he had reassured on Thursday when he showed up at Milanello to speak with the team. His words clearly sparked a reaction, and now the morale is higher.
Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders with a strong performance in the derby...
Tijjani Reijnders was named Man of the Match and delivered the free-kick that led to Gabbia’s 2-1 goal: "We played very well", emphasised the former AZ Alkmaar player, "and we are happy because we wanted to win at all costs. We had to do it after a very difficult week. Thanks to the fans who were extraordinary." Tammy Abraham, who missed a chance for the 2-1 but worked hard during pressing phases, got something off his chest by posting a picture in the locker room with Tomori: "They doubted us..." he wrote. And the night of the derby turned red and black.
