Mission accomplished last night by Milan, who defeated Bologna 1-0 at San Siro and continued the winning streak from Lecce obtained before the international break. The decisive factor was a goal by the eternal Luka Modric, who at 40 years old took the Rossoneri by the hand and gave the 'Diavolo' three important points.
The negative notes of the Milan evening were the injuries to Mike Maignan and Strahinja Pavlovic, both forced to leave the field due to muscle problems that will be assessed in the coming hours.
Phenomenal Modric:
"It’s Modric’s Milan, it’s Allegri’s Milan": that was the headline ran by the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera wrote which praised, above all, the Croatian champion for his first goal in the Rossoneri shirt and also for the leadership he displayed in the midfield line. Those who thought he would come to Milan to play the "retiree" role will have to rethink, because even at 40 he still wants to be decisive. The goal came from his play in midfield, then the run, the movement into the box, and the perfect right-footed finish that hit the Bologna net.
By the way, before diving any deeper into analysing AC Milan’s latest victory against Bologna, let’s talk about San Siro. For Milan and Inter fans, matchdays at the Meazza are an experience like no other. The atmosphere, the chants, and the on-pitch drama create memories that last a lifetime. Yet, for supporters who cannot always attend in person, digital platforms are providing new ways to engage. From live match updates to interactive content. In fact, the Rossoneri fans are exploring different options, including features like slots online, as part of broader entertainment ecosystems that combine sports, gaming, and community interaction.
Allegri's show:
After Lecce, Milan closes another match without conceding a goal. Max Allegri’s influence is already visible: his formation is solid, compact, and balanced. The disjointed team that left immense spaces to opponents a year ago is a distant memory. From day one, the ex Juventus coach declared that his first objective was to fix the defensive phase of the Rossoneri, who last season conceded goals too easily. At the end of the match, there was also the "classic Allegri show" with his jacket, as he was sent off for protesting after VAR overturned a rather obvious penalty for the red and black faithful. The 58-year-old Italian tactician left the field very angry, but later appeared in front of cameras with a big smile on his face: his Milan has now started its engine.
And what about Adrien Rabiot?
Immediately in the starting lineup and immediately ready to make a difference. He dominated midfield. He quickly found technical understanding with Modric and brought technique, physicality, and personality to the team. It was fortunate that Milan signed him, because without him there would have been many gaps difficult to fill.
Speaking of Modric, at 40 years of age, he showed once more that he is an extraordinary champion: he starts the play and finishes it with a very important goal. Rabiot also deserves praise: after a couple of training sessions at Milanello, he seemed like a veteran of this team. Running, quantity, quality, physicality: an extremely valuable player. We immediately saw why the coach wanted him so much and how well the Frenchman knows exactly what the coach expects from a player in his position. Extraordinary impact.
'Ketchup' Gimenez:
One bitter note is Santiago Gimenez. Yesterday he missed 2 goals, including a glaring one, when Christian Pulisic set him up in front of the goalkeeper. He made the wrong choice and drifted to the left, as he had previously miscontrolled the ball and ended up in an off-angle position. He needs to unlock himself. Van Nistelrooy’s ketchup theory applies to him: you squeeze the tube but nothing comes out, then you persist and everything bursts out. Perhaps the same will happen with the Mexican: he needs to unlock and then he can deliver. His goals will be necessary, as it will now be essential to recover the heavy artillery: namely Pulisic at his best (yesterday an excellent entrance) and Rafael Leao. Christopher Nkunku also entered very well: he earned an obvious penalty, as relayed via those at Milan News.
The path seems right. Standings improved, greater awareness, self-confidence, and trust. Thanks to Massimiliano Allegri's influence, which is already visible.
San Siro, and the Curva Sud Milano...
Yesterday San Siro was still gray, except for some moments. Before the match, new measures from the police arrived, which further affected organized fan support. Milan without its fans risks serious damage, especially sporting damage, because potentially losing points at "home" when others play there is not ideal for a club aiming to return to the Champions League.
This is why the club is intensifying contacts with institutions to reach a conclusion: in compliance with rules and community, regain organized and coordinated fan support during home matches. Things that do not exist in away games, like in Lecce. Organized fan support needs to return to its place, possibly with all tools needed to support the team properly. Otherwise, the risk is high.
AC Milan is also considering an important proposal to present to the Italian Football League. A plan regarding guest sector ticket prices and the possibility of setting a maximum cost. This ceiling already exists between UEFA and other major European leagues, while in Italy there is a different rule, where clubs must apply the same price to the guest sector as the equivalent sector inside the stadium. But in most cases, this does not happen... An important proposal that the Rossoneri club wants to present soon and will submit to a vote by the other clubs, as relayed via Milan News.
