Happier than ever about the victory in the derby, but still regretful about the defeat against Bologna, a slip-up that must not be repeated. Gerry Cardinale left Milan yesterday, heading for New York, where his family and his work await him. His thoughts, however, will remain firmly fixed on Milan and on what still needs to be done, with Rabiot’s contract renewal as a short-term priority and the league title as a dream in the back of his mind. He admitted this after the defeat against Palladino’s team, and he believes it even more strongly now that he has won his first derby since May 25, when he began managing the club personally.
Gerry Cardinale's emotion after the derby win:
On Sunday evening, after the final whistle, Cardinale preferred not to speak to the team. Everything he had to say to his players, he had already said on Saturday at Milanello, to motivate them and urge them to make up for the 4-2 defeat suffered against Bologna, as pointed out via La Gazzetta dello Sport in this morning's print edition. The team listened to him, and then, after the derby, Maignan and his teammates could read the happiness on his face, even though he did not utter a single word.
The compliments to the group for their performance came from Amorim, who granted two days of rest, with training scheduled to resume tomorrow. RedBird’s number one moved away from the dressing rooms because he wanted that moment to remain special for the players and the coaching staff, but above all because he was very emotional, almost with tears in his eyes: Milan and its fans, but also the project, needed a night like this. And the American knew it.
Now, however, Gerry expects the performance in the derby to be repeated in the upcoming matches as well, especially the two before the break, on Thursday against Ferencvaros and on Sunday in Genoa. Two commitments in which the post-derby euphoria will have to be managed while avoiding lapses in concentration.
On Saturday night, part of the team celebrated at a well-known Milan nightclub, but from tomorrow the focus will be on Europe because there is a league table to put right after the slip-ups against Benfica and Bournemouth. And then further steps forward will have to be taken in Serie A.
Warning
The only way to get closer to Lazio is to avoid further slip-ups like the one against Bologna. On this point, Cardinale and Amorim agree completely. So much so that the joy both felt over the triumph against their city rivals has intensified their regret at having dropped three points against the Rossoblù.
Going from 2-1 at the end of the first half to a 4-2 defeat did not sit well with either the coach or the owner. The two spoke after the derby and are in complete agreement. Injuries are one thing, but a Milan side aiming to return to being... Milan, in Italy and in Europe, cannot afford certain blackouts.
Beating Inter is satisfying, and going eight matches without being defeated by their city rivals is nice, but the priority remains lifting a trophy. City supremacy is not enough. Neither for Cardinale nor for Amorim.
Rabiot Contract
On Thursday, RedBird’s number one will watch the Europa League match from the States. Depending on his commitments, he will decide whether to go to Genoa or return after the break for the match against Frosinone. What is certain is that, even from afar, he will not stop working for Milan. After the contract renewals of Pavlovic and Pulisic, the priority is to extend Rabiot’s agreement from 2028 to 2030.
There is still work to be done to settle the “matter,” but Cardinale strongly wants to secure the Frenchman, who has been carrying the team at the beginning of this season. Then it will be Cisse’s turn. And what about the January transfer market? Diawara's growth is good news, but Milan are aware that they need a defender of stature. Also with an eye to the future. The club will try to invest in that department during the next winter transfer window, while it remains the case that, if Ramos does not get going, there could also be new developments in attack.
