Teamwork makes the dream work

AC Milan beats last-place Monza amid protests over poor season

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AC Milan wrapped up their disappointing season with a 2-0 win over Monza on Saturday, however the sport was overshadowed by fan protests towards the membership possession and hierarchy each earlier than and throughout the match.

Matteo Gabbia scored with a second-half header on the San Siro then João Félix transformed a free kick as Milan moved as much as seventh place.

Earlier, hundreds of followers protested outdoors the membership headquarters over Milan failing to qualify for Europe and shedding to Bologna within the Italian Cup last.

There have been extra protests contained in the San Siro and chants aimed toward Milan’s American proprietor Gerry Cardinale.

“Cardinale, you need to promote. Get out,” the followers mentioned.

Milan started the season as a possible title contender, however ended up 19 factors behind champion Napoli.

Supporters had made their emotions clear from the beginning of the marketing campaign, sad with the collection of Paulo Fonseca as supervisor, and the Portuguese coach was changed by compatriot Sérgio Conceição in December.

Milan had been eight within the desk on the time, and whereas Conceição gained the Tremendous Cup in his first video games in cost, there was little enchancment in Serie A and so they exited the Champions League on the league part.

Together with RedBird chief Cardinale, membership Chairman Paolo Scaroni, CEO Giorgio Furlani, senior advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic and technical director Geoffrey Moncada had been all targets for supporters’ anger in Saturday’s protest.

The followers additionally known as for the return of their hero Paolo Maldini to the membership, after the previous Milan defender was sacked from his technical director function in 2023, one other resolution which strained the connection between supporters and homeowners.

After they marched to the San Siro, the Curva Sud followers positioned themselves to spell out “Go Residence” in a transparent message to their American proprietor, and most left the sector in an organised walkout quarter-hour into the sport.

“Amongst our followers there may be disappointment, remorse, anger and frustration, these are all emotions that we additionally really feel. Don’t suppose that this isn’t the case,” membership CEO Furlani instructed DAZN earlier than the sport.

“The season ends at present and subsequent week we begin once more.”

Selections will now be made concerning Conceição’s future on the membership, however followers will count on sweeping adjustments at Milan if they’re to see a return to the glory days.

In the meantime, metropolis rival Inter Milan will play Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League last subsequent Saturday, including additional insult to a marketing campaign that fell nicely in need of expectations.

Data from Reuters and The Related Press was used on this story.