In this morning's print edition, Tuttosport spoke about AC Milan's current situation and explained that the club is "under fire", including former striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Swedish player, hailed as the savior of the nation, is being attacked by fans in a season that has fallen short of expectations.
Why are the AC Milan fans angry with Zlatan Ibrahimovic?
They reproach him for choosing Paulo Fonseca, instead of Antonio Conte, for the coaching role and for a transfer market deemed insufficient.
Zlatan is also not a constant presence at Milanello, where his presence is needed. His slogan-like statements, such as the one about making history, clash with a standings position that sees Milan, with one game less, 14 points behind Atalanta, despite there still being three matches to the halfway point of the season.
And the Champions League spots are 8 points away. As of December 17th, the decision to rely on Fonseca, a coach who has only won in Ukraine and a couple of cups in Portugal, has not paid off.
The fans wanted an Antonio Conte, a leader capable of transforming the team and erasing certain character flaws that emerged during the final part of Pioli's tenure. Flaws that are still present today, with a clear disconnect between the coach and part of the squad.
The choice of Fonseca and an incomplete transfer market, despite Ibra repeatedly stating that the current squad is stronger than in the past. Probably true, but if Fofana (and Reijnders) were to catch a cold tomorrow, Milan would find itself without suitable players to play in central midfield in the 4-2-3-1 formation.
The highs against Inter and Real Madrid have patched things up temporarily. In fact, they've fueled the anger of the fans over the other poor performances and the wrong attitudes.
The Curva Sud Milano, and not only them – are protesting and criticising. The fans have had enough, and they made it clear again last night by showing up outside the venue where the club had finished celebrating its 125th anniversary with the Christmas event, displaying several banners such as this one: "Players without desire and dignity, you are the mirror of this ownership," and chanting against the club and Gerry Cardinale, who was absent from the event last night.
