It’s 2015 and the teams are walking out for the Derby Della Madonnina, the smoke from the flares were plentiful, colourful, almost aggressive. The firecrackers rocked the very core of San Siro and the in turn, lit up the enormous choreographies. This was not the norm however, the fact that both teams lay in Serie A’s midriff, only exacerbated the importance of the Derby, the regular games were sparse and the feeling was bleak. Fast forward to 2017 and Milan is a different place altogether, now there is a feeling that both teams are back and this is reinforced by the mood in the city and in the stadium.
Two years ago, before the Chinese invested heavily in both clubs, that Derby in April represented something else. It felt like a last hurrah, one last charge for the sick clubs of Europe to show how grand they could be. Whilst it had a nostalgic feel, it was also perhaps cavalry against machine guns, as money in the Premier League offered up the very real possibility that West Ham may soon financially outmuscle Milan. In the city, the mood was similar, inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele a mesmerising building that holds the likes of Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and more, a bunch of Inter fans gathered to shout ‘non salta Rossonero e’ (He who does not jump is a Milan fan). They certainly knew how to get good acoustics and when asked why they thought this Derby was special, one of them answered to me “Because this is all we have now.”
The sad thought that fans of these two great European powerhouses, would only be able to look forward to games against each other and Juventus, Napoli, maybe Roma was sad. In conversation, another said that he did not bother going to the games against the lower teams because “it’s too sad to see the Meazza empty, it feels unloved and it’s sad.” This was not an exaggeration, even last season Milan only pulled in just under 25,000 for a game against Lazio, yes Lazio, just go back to 1995 and see what the attendance was.
That was then however, and since the new investment in Milan clubs now seem like they are back. Rossoneri Sport Investment Lux have now come into rival Inter’s Suning group in means of financial backing. Whilst Inter are a summer ahead and only fine-tuned their engine this year Milan spent big and this new influx of stars has gripped its fan base. This was perhaps demonstrated in the Europa League qualifier when they managed to get 65,000 to watch their game against CS U Craiova. The turnaround was incredible and the fans had certainly returned.
Walking around Milan last weekend it was hard not to ask questions about the feeling in the city whether to Barmen, waiters, newsstand owners and people outside the stadium. Perhaps the best answer of the day was from a chap called Enzo who insisted Andre Silva was the next Marco Van Basten. Other Milan fans (despite the 4-0 defeat to Lazio) approached the upcoming game against Udinese with excitement and were confident that they would make the Champions League. One waiter was eloquent in saying that as long as Montella got time then next season they would be a force.
Inter fans also were excited although, as their project was further along they instead took the view that they were superior, especially as up until then they had Luciano Spalletti to thank for a 100% record. Talk was more focused towards the Derby with a view that wins against Bologna (they drew that) Genoa and Benevento would see them face Milan in the Derby in pole position. The fact was that the mood was positive and talk of Champions League and Scudetto challenges were back.
Against Udinese, the most striking thing was the attendance and the Ultras. For a long time, banners with ‘Milan, GAME OVER’, littered the Curva Sud and the rest of the ground was morbid. Now on a beautifully warm September afternoon over 50,000 watched their team beat Udinese 2-1. The atmosphere was electric and the Ultra’s followed the slow Icelandic clap with a constant beating of drums. Flares were set off and the Curva Sud put on a show that would not have been seen last year against the likes of the Zebrette. The fans smiles, cheered their new heroes and enjoyed the game, the toxic whistles and groans were gone.
This season may not give either the Nerazzurri nor the Rossoneri the glory that they will hope for but this doesn’t matter. What matters is that there is a chance, and what’s more there is hope to go forward. They have the money and the intent and this doesn’t just affect the mood in the stadium it effects the city. Now the glamourous shops, the beautiful people and the prosperous city are no longer let down by their broke and disappointing football teams. Milan and Inter are now fashionable again.
Milan's next game is against Sampdoria, keep up to date with it at our match centre.
