Milan Obsession

OFFICIAL: The Milan Obsession Podcast has signed Jonathan to a longterm contract as cohost. Details of the contract were undisclosed. Following Leonardo’s example, we have signed a permanent cohost, and expect the podcast to also qualify for the Champions League of podcasts this season. So while we were under the influence of extreme optimism, we previewed the new season with unicorns and rainbows. We invited Pavlo to bring his optimism agenda and his passion and wisdom to discuss the upcoming season. Follow him on Twitter @PavloBrk. Our optimistic party included: News of the Week: New captain, renewal, Kaka dreams, club mentality, rap battle, Milan heart, Inter laughs Mercato: News and rumors Match Reviews: reviews of recent matches Season Preview: Talking players, coach, and forecast Coming up: upcoming matches Thanks again to Pavlo for raining down optimism upon us. Follow him on Twitter to hold him to his rosy predictions @PavloBrk

The long awaited Return of the King, Paolo Maldini, has finally occurred. I have a theory as to why, and it all started with one lucky fan. He won a chance to meet the team, but ended up meeting Gattuso instead. After that, Leonardo was hired on. Then Higuain and Caldara came to Milan. And finally, the return of Maldini. That is a whole lot of luck. That lucky fan is Ricardo, who flew to Los Angeles from Texas just to watch the game. You can follow him on Twitter and Instagram @Ricky7990. Who knows, maybe some of his luck will rub off on you. In the meantime, he and I chatted about: News of the Week: No B team, Montolivo get out, Strinic in, Calhanoglu’s woman problems, Fasssone’s lack of class, Ambrosini’s new challenge, VAR replays, U.S. TV rights ICC U.S. Tour: second half recap Friendlies: reviews of Tottenham and Barcelona matches Milan in Los Angeles: Meeting Gattuso and watching Milan live Mercato: News and rumors The Return of the King: Maldini’s glorious return Coming up: upcoming matches Thanks ag

In spite of all of the changes off the pitch, I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Milan up close and personal here in Los Angeles. From stalking them at the airport to meeting Gattuso to watching them play right before my very eyes, it brought me great joy at a time when there are so many unanswered questions at the club. My favorite intern, Jonathan, also has plans to see the team up close and personal this season, but at the San Siro. We discussed: News of the Week: future legendary coaches, shut up and work, finally Kalinic, don’t let the door hit you on the way out, ciao Capitano, no thank you Puma, train cup, U19 Euros Friendlies: reviews of Novara & Manchester United matches Serie A Calendar: 2018-19 calendar just released UEFA Ruling: CAS overturned UEFA’s ruling Ownership & Management Changes: out with the old, in with the new Coming up: next friendlies Thanks again to Jonathan for being a fantastic intern, a passionate Milan fan, and future San Siro pitch invader.  

Another change in ownership, a ban from Europe, and a zero balance mercato. When will Milan fans catch a break? So much to talk about, but nothing that we would like to be talking about. And yet as fans, we are still here, still emotionally committed to the red and black. So it seems that hope is all we have. A fan podcast requires passionate fans, and Pavlo is one of the most devout fans around. Follow him on Twitter for his knowledge, wisdom, and Milan passion @PavloBrk. For this podcast, we chatted about: News of the Week: Someone’s lying, Dreaded 3 man defense returning, Spelling errors, Ciao Abbiati, New Youth Sector Director, Maldini is going somewhere, Pig farming crime, Graduation, Curva Sud statement, Serie A season, World Cup or something Mercato News: why it’s so hard to sell players Ownership: the hedge fund arrives UEFA Ruling: waiting for the appeal  Important Summer Dates: when and where Milan will be Thanks again to Pavlo for bringing hope and optimism at a time when it feels like all is l

Raduno literally means ·rally,· and that is what is supposed to happen to kick of Milan·s new season today. But what can we rally around? The new kit is poor, we don·t know if we·ll have Europe or not still, and now we don·t even know who will own t

At a point when our mercato should be taking shape and all of us getting excited for the Europa League and the season, we still have no idea whether or not we will be playing in Europa League. Which has put our mercato completely on hold and intensified rumors surrounding the financial stability of the club. Of course, there’s plenty of other corruption and douchebaggery in Italy to discuss, but it doesn’t change Milan fans’ unresolved pain. I always enjoy going back to the beginning, and for Milan Obsession, that beginning included Jovan. A lifelong Milan fan and knowledgeable football connoisseur, he and I talked about: News of the Week: extension, criminals, women, Supercoppa, broadcasting rights fail, new coaches, corruption, tennis, shame, farewell World Cup: Is there a World Cup going on or something? UEFA Ruling: still no answers Important Summer Dates: when and where Milan will be  Thanks again to Jovan for listening to the rants and being willing to talk Milan when there’s not a lot of great stuff

A season that was supposed to redeem Milan and the hopes of Milan fans took a sharp turn downwards with UEFA’s announcement that they refused to give Milan a settlement agreement. Despite the damper that put on the season and the far reaching implications that the news creates for our future, it was a good time to sit down and reflect on the team and all of our players. When you want a balanced perspective on Milan, you should talk to Pete. So follow him on Twitter @PDAcquaviva. To wrap up all of the disappointment of this season, we discussed: News of the Week: dumped by an ex, players announcing themselves, a non-European Champions League, breaking wind Player Ratings: Who should stay and who should go Gattuso: his future at Milan Yonghong Li, UEFA, and the Elliott Fund: fact vs. fiction Thanks again to Pete for being willing to drudge through the disappointments and dissect our players’ season instead of sleeping or something productive. Please follow him @PDAcquaviva on Twitter.

There is plenty to talk about at the end of the season, especially our first full season under our new management. But in addition to everything on the pitch, fans have created a controversy that is literally larger than life. And I am not happy about it. So for this episode, you get to hear me rant. A lot. Nothing is better than talking to a true Milan fan. Unless you get to talk to a true Milan fan who has also played professionally. That is why I asked Intern Jonathan on once again. In between rants, we chatted about: News of the Week: Visit from the President, awards, Nesta in Serie B, Italy National Team, contract extension, best keeper in Serie B, Parma promotion, new partnership, Biglia news Season Update: Serie A update Donnarumma Rant: will Elaine’s head explode? Bonucci’s Leadership: meeting Ermanno Coming up: Upcoming matches   Thanks again to Jonathan for listening patiently to my rants and being the best intern ever.

After a season of hot and cold performances, looming ahead of us is a cold, dark mercato where there is more confusion than clarity. Despite a meeting with UEFA and a shareholder’s meeting, there are more questions than answers coming from management. And to make matters worse, the future of Mirabelli at Milan is also swirling with rumors and speculation, leaving us further in the depths of confusion Milan’s recent years have been so traumatic, longtime Milan fan David has become slightly confused about his allegiance. I think he checked out before Allegri left, so he doesn’t realize that Allegri has been at Juve all of these years. You can follow him on Twitter @DavidLSwan to witness the confusion yourself. But I always feel bad for people with traumatic injuries, so I invited him on the podcast again. We discussed: News of the Week: New leaked kits, Ciao Oddo, Pirlo’s big night, second teams coming, Biglia’s injury Season Update: Serie A update Mirabelli rumors: will he stay or go? Financial Update: update

In six days we played three games and went from good to okay to the worst just like that. We also lost another starter to a season-ending injury. Milan·s scoring problem is finally unable to be ignored, and the historic worst game was enough to suck the

We hit a bit of a wall in our march toward a return to Champions League, with a loss and two draws in our last three matches. But whatever frustration we have with results and injuries, we also are blessed with a great leader to see us through the tough times. Whatever differences people may have, the one thing I think we can all agree on is that we are all on Team Gattuso. Every team needs players like my new intern Jonathan. He can start, play 90 minutes, or be a super sub when needed. For this podcast, he stepped up once again and we talked about: News of the Week: Conti setback, hair challenge, best gamers, leaked new kits, Gattuso renewal, more Calciopoli snakes Season Update: Serie A update Gattuso’s Press Conferences: rating the big man’s words Coming up: Upcoming matches Thanks again to Jonathan for being an ideal intern and super sub and for sharing his wisdom and love of Milan with us.

For the past six years or more, Milan fans have been clinging to any hope available, with our dreams being crushed repeatedly like the endless crashing waves in the sea. But now, something has changed. Both on and off of the pitch, fans no longer have to cling to hopes. We have belief. If you want someone with incredible prognosticating powers, then Vinny is your man. You can listen to Vinny and his sidekick on the Milan Weekly Pod and also follow on Twitter @MilanWeeklyPod and also @ACMClubMTL. He shared his genius with us once again: News of the Week: Live action Mario Kart, positive stats, Coppa Italia Final announced, ICC tournament news, Elaine fangirling Sacchi’s Sanity: quotes from the maestro Season Update: Europa League and Serie A update Injuries: update on injured players International Duty: update on players playing for their national teams Milan’s Financial Situation: sifting through the media garbage Coming up: Upcoming matches Thanks again to Vinny for sharing his genius and especially for th

Milan has made great strides forward recently on the pitch. And despite recent hiccups, a 13 game unbeaten streak with six consecutive wins and six consecutive clean sheets is some incredibly positive momentum. But stepping back and looking to where we were a year ago, just before the sale of the club, there is even more forward progress. Fans of every kind are already beginning to forget what the club has been through over the past six years and look forward to even better times ahead. Pete joined us again to offer his wisdom and perspective. And speaking of wisdom and perspective, you can get more of it by following him on Twitter @PDAcquaviva. After the Genoa match, we talked about: News of the Week: Kit sponsor, coach salary, free agents, Bachelor Milan Edition, VAR, rescheduling the Derby Gattuso Gem of the Week: quote of the week from the Mister Season Update: Europa League and Serie A update Looking Back: how Milan has changed in the past year Fanship: looking at Milan and Arsenal from both sides Comi

Games were canceled this weekend to show respect for a player who slipped away too soon. The loss of Davide Astori allowed us to take some time to consider what is really important and to pay our respects. And in that spirit of respect, we also decided to have a conversation ahead of the Europa League match with Arsenal from both sides of the stadium. Adam is the host of Touchline Radio Podcast, and a devout Arsenal fan (with a place in his heart for Milan.) You can also follow him on Twitter @TouchlineRadio or on Instagram or Facebook, or listen to his podcast on Soundcloud, iTunes, or acast. Despite being frenemies for the next two weeks, we had a great conversation about our respective teams. We talked about: Astori Tribute: emotions for the loss our former Milan youth player Maldini Moment: quote of the week from the legend Europa League: looking at Milan and Arsenal from both sides Coming up: Upcoming matches Thanks again to Adam for sharing his passion about Arsenal and his love of football. Follow h

Celebrating five years of the podcast with a positive string of results is apparently enough to bring optimism to even the most practical of Milan fans. So much optimism, in fact, that we’re still having dreams of Europe. But with players like Borini scoring, the sky is the limit as far as our dreams go. In my search to talk with Milan fans all over the world, I invited Jonathan to the podcast all the way from Toronto, Canada. We talked about: News of the Week: Social media backlash, red card records, Inter suck, ruling China, Coach Seedorf, FIGC leadership, Primavera awesome Season Update: update on Serie A & Coppa Italia matches Mercato: report on the end of the winter mercato Moving Forward: discussing tactics and our forwards European Dreams: talking Europa League and Champions League  Coming up: Upcoming matches  Thanks again to Jonathan for some great conversation. Fiorentina are worse off, and Milan are so lucky for your devotion.

Recorded on Sunday after the first Lazio match, there was plenty to talk about on and off the pitch. With three straight wins, something we haven’t seen since the beginning of the season, that elusive optimism has popped up once again for Milan fans everywhere. It may not last, but for now we have something to smile about. This fan podcast wouldn’t be a podcast without Francesco, aka the Other Pope. You can follow him on Twitter @FrancescoPetra8. We chatted about: News of the Week: New Milan baby, Yonghong Li speaks, Diesel rocks, President Weah, speaking out against cyberbullying, political zombies, FIGC elections Season Update: update on Serie A matches Wisdom from Maldini: speaking about the current Milan VAR: new stats and quotes from the referee designator Coming up: Upcoming matches Thanks again to Francesco for more fun convo about Milan. Give him a follow on Twitter @FrancescoPetra8.

The late winter break is only really good for one thing: talking about the players and the season to date. So we took full advantage of the opportunity and hashed out every player in the squad just for you. You’re welcome. One of the few Milan fans I could talk an hour about Milan with and not get bored is Pete. You can follow him on Twitter @PDAcquaviva for all of his wisdom about Milan and more. This time we talked about: News of the Week: Gattuso getting old, new partnership in China, GPS, Mirabelli speaks, Bacca assessment Player Ratings:         Goalkeepers         Defenders         Midfielders         Strikers         Gattuso Coming up: Upcoming matches Thanks again to Pete for spending so much time haggling numbers with me and making me laugh. Follow him on Twitter for more thought provoking tweets and humor @PDAcquaviva.

We watch them play on the pitch each week, we support the club they own, but who are these people, really? Are there things we should know about them that we don’t? These were some of the questions we tried to find answers to, along with some of the more tangible things to discuss at Milan these days. How fitting that for this 100 th podcast, I should go back to the beginning. I invited Milan Obsession co-founder and original podcast guest Jovan to join me for this discussion: News of the Week: King George, centennial matches, music video, fitness trainer Season Update: Serie A update Injuries and Mercato Update: Latest news Coach Gattuso: Do we have the right coach? Refinancing: The latest on Milan finances Calhanoglu: Man of mystery  VAR: First half of the season update Coming up: Upcoming matches  Thanks again to Jovan, lifelong Milan fan and wise beyond his years, for more great discussion about all things Milan. If you enjoy his brilliance, you’ll probably also enjoy his writing, such as this classic

The constant turns and twists of Milan’s fate can be difficult to keep up with. We look to every game with hope in our hearts and are rarely rewarded. Off the pitch there is even more craziness, and if you are truly looking for answers, social media is definitely not the place. But as fans, if we stick together and wade through the rumors and critics and cling to reality, we can perhaps find some answers together. The stars aligned so that I could have Susy on the podcast to chat about all things Milan. Follow her on Twitter @SusyCampanale and also follow @FootballItalia, where she is the brilliant editor for the amazing English speaking Serie A site. A little known fact is that despite her neutrality on the site, she is a devout Milanista. So we chatted about: News of the Week: Hall of Fame, retirement, Milan birthday gift, Montella’s new job Season Update: Serie A,Europa League, and Coppa Italia update Donnarumma Saga 2.0: fan douchebaggery Gattuso: highs and lows Milan’s Future: still looking for answers

With the long overdue yet surprise sacking of Montella and the unfortunately predictable promoting of Gattuso from the Primavera squad, fans are dealing with yet another change at the club.  And not a change for the better. Despite making a coaching change to improve results, management have chosen a coach who is least likely to do that. It seems the club have lowered expectations. Battling late nights, technology glitches, and having to talk about Gattuso, David truly was a Legend this time around. Follow him on Twitter @DavidLSwan out of pity alone. And while you’re following, listen to what we talked about against all odds: News of the Week: Change in fortunes, change in kits, worldwide fans, congrats Oddo, Milan class Season Update: Serie A & Europa League update Montella: regrets Gattuso: regrets Ownership: questions, FFP, refinancing, #WeAreNotAfraid VAR: regrets Coming up: upcoming matches Thanks again to David for his wisdom and his patience. Follow him on Twitter @DavidLSwan to take advantage o