AC Milan’s disappointing season concluded with a 2-0 victory over Monza, but the match was overshadowed by fan protests against the club’s ownership and management. This campaign saw AC Milan fail to qualify for European competitions and lose to Bologna in the Italian Cup final.
Fan Protests
Thousands of fans protested outside the club headquarters earlier in the week, expressing their dissatisfaction with the team’s performance. Their anger was directed primarily at American owner Gerry Cardinale, whom they felt had not adequately supported the team. Other management figures targeted included:
- RedBird chief Gerry Cardinale
- Club Chairman Paolo Scaroni
- CEO Giorgio Furlani
- Senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic
- Technical director Geoffrey Moncada
- Former player turned technical director Paolo Maldini
Before kickoff, the Curva Sud fans displayed "Go Home" across their sector and many left the stadium in an organized walkout 15 minutes into the match.
Season Overview
Milan began the season as a potential title contender but ended up 19 points behind champion Napoli. Supporters had voiced their concerns early in the campaign, demanding a managerial change after Paulo Fonseca replaced Stefano Pioli last summer. Pioli had led the team to back-to-back Serie A titles from 2018/19 through 2021/22.
Managerial Struggles
Fonseca faced criticism for his tactics and team selection throughout the season. Despite some early positive results, including a win against Inter, he struggled to maintain consistency. His tenure ended after a series of defeats, culminating in a loss to Lazio last month, leaving him without a win since November.
Player Departures
Fonseca’s management was also marked by controversial decisions regarding player transfers. Key players lost included:
- Matheus Nunes
- Cristian Brocchi
- Rafael Leao
Additionally, France international Davide Bertocchi was placed on the transfer list, further disappointing fans. Instead of acquiring new talent, Fonseca focused on signing free agents and young players from other clubs, which did not impress supporters or media analysts.
Post-Match Reactions
The post-match reactions from supporters reflected their disappointment with both Fonseca’s management and Cardinale’s ownership style. Fans expressed frustration, with one stating, "Cardinale doesn’t understand what football is," and another demanding, "we want our money back." The protests underscored concerns about the level of control American owners have over Italian clubs compared to local owners who are more involved in day-to-day operations.
Future Prospects
AC Milan Chairman Paolo Scaroni has stated that the club will target European competition again next season, despite this year’s failures. He emphasized the importance of supporting the team under head coach Filippo Inzaghi, who led Milan to a second-place finish after a strong start to the season.
Scaroni also mentioned plans to invest in youth development programs, despite the lack of talent emerging from the youth system. The club aims to strengthen its connection with supporters, who feel unheard since Cardinale’s takeover.
Next Season: Targeting Europe
As reported earlier, the chairman highlighted the club’s ambition to return to Europe with Filippo Inzaghi at the helm. The upcoming season will be crucial for AC Milan as they seek to rebuild and regain their competitive edge in Italian and European football.
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