San Siro has regained its enthusiasm after a January transfer window filled with major signings for both the present and the future.
This result is just as important as the qualification for the Coppa Italia semi-finals because the fans sang at the top of their lungs for the entire 90 minutes without any protests against the ownership. Without enthusiasm, prestigious goals cannot be pursued, and this Milan, aside from the Scudetto race, is still competing on multiple fronts.
At Milan, nowadays, even the football field painter should be excited. In fact, there have been positive signs from the winter transfer market, with the arrivals of key players like Kyle Walker, Joao Felix, Santiago Gimenez, and Warren Bondo, and also after the important victory against AS Roma in Coppa Italia.
New harmony and connection
Conceição selected his starting eleven with an eye on the upcoming away match against Empoli. Leão was left out, with Jimenez taking his place; the Portuguese winger, who came on in the second half, is not at full fitness, but the Real Madrid academy product held his own—if not more.
The first half was a showcase for the unexpected duo of Hernández and Abraham: the former provided the assists, the latter finished them off. These were crucial signs from two players who had been frequently criticized in the first part of the season. But it was another connection that truly ignited the Rossoneri faithful—the link between João Félix and Santiago Giménez.
The two new arrivals were cheered wildly when they came on for Jimenez and Abraham, and it took them just 12 minutes to leave their mark on the match. Santi picked up the ball in the final third and found a perfect vertical pass for João, who gratefully slotted it home with a delicate chip, soft as a chocolate mousse. Milan erupted in celebration, with the roar of the curva making San Siro tremble.
Milan’s newest precious gem
The Portuguese wonderkid has grown up, but not yet enough to write his own piece of history. João Félix never truly left his mark at Atlético Madrid, then had a positive stint at Barcelona followed by a less successful one at Chelsea. Now, San Siro and Milan represent a huge opportunity for him to make the definitive leap in quality.
A stadium like Milan’s is known for elevating players with match-winning talent, those capable of pulling off a moment of magic that gets everyone on their feet. It is the stadium of Pirlo and Kaká, of Gullit and Van Basten, and so many others. The challenge now is to make it João Félix’s stadium as well.
He is a crucial asset for the team, as he gives Conceição more tactical options during games and allows for squad rotation to manage energy levels. João can play on the right or left, as a second striker, or even as a false nine. He has a lot to offer—and a lot to prove if he wants to earn a permanent move.
A purchase option was not included in the deal with Chelsea due to time constraints, but a potential stay remains on the table, as Moncada explained before the match. It all depends on Joao himself.
How did coach Sergio Conceicao react after the win vs Roma and the impeccable performance of Joao Felix?
"Beautiful goal by Joao? Yes, but there are still three games left to win the trophy. Now we focus on Empoli, it will be very difficult. We’re struggling in the league, but we hope to continue on this path with the kind of individual development I want, so that it reflects on the team as a whole."
Will the transfer market help you?
"A team more similar to my Porto? We are working to be a more compact and aggressive team, not allowing opponents to get close to our goal. With the players we’ve brought in, we can work better toward the style I like—playing with two forwards, for example… Scoring goals and not conceding them."
But speaking more of the transfer market, the success of the transfer market is undeniable, and in some ways, it has helped correct the mistakes and omissions made during the summer when everything was decided without consulting the former coach Paulo Fonseca, who was merely used as a cover for the club’s choices. Both the ownership and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Geoffrey Moncada, without overlooking Furlani’s role in ensuring the economic and financial feasibility of the deals (he closed with a deficit of just €1 million!), coordinated every move with the newly arrived coach at Milanello.
As a result, they have enhanced the squad’s technical quality while also increasing its experience and leadership, with Walker arriving from Guardiola’s Manchester City. These were the points we raised a few months ago—better late than never, one might say.
What’ts next for Milan?
Another challenge for the team is reigniting the enthusiasm of the Curva Sud, which had moved into opposition and maintained a deafening silence during matches. But, there are positive signs after the 3-1 win over Roma, and the 0-2 away victory against Empoli. There could be a spark, although the curva, for different reasons related to ticketing, has decided not to follow Milan for their European away match in the Netherlands against Feyenoord today.
