Zvonomir Boban believes that there are no longer enough figures at AC Milan who understand what ‘Milanismo’ means.
One of the topics that has been spoken about by fans and the media as we approach a crucial summer window is the idea that Milan are sorely lacking managerial figures and also players who know what it means to represent the club.
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Thus, there has been talk of an ‘Italianisation’, perhaps following the example set by Inter who have players like Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, Davide Frattesi, Federico Dimarco, Nicolo Barella and others to call upon who know Serie A so well.
Boban gave an explosive interview on Andrea Longoni’s podcast in which he spoke about the signings he almost got over the line and the sacking of Paolo Maldini. You can read it in full here, while below is an excerpt about the feeling of belonging.
“I spoke about ‘de-Milanisation’, that was the fear. And it was clear that they wanted to make people lose that strength of wanting to belong. Because it is too big an emotion for someone who wants to control things differently. ‘Sempre Milan’: what the f*** does that mean?
“The whole world knows what Milan is, they even put ‘Sempre Milan’ on the bus. Please… Obviously it annoys, it flattens, it almost makes you become a robot. The idea is that, that the fans become customers, the players become assets. And so on, this is their way.
“Maldini’s sacking? A shameful page, done in a shameful way. Indecent, unacceptable and I could say a thousand other bad things. Above all, inexplicable even for them. For them Paolo represented the last obstacle to do what they wanted.
“And the Tonali thing had a big impact, Paolo would never have let him go. We are looking at a difference of 70 million, I don’t know how much specifically. A lot of money but that should never have come to Milan because Tonali shouldn’t have left Milan. Because the boy is a Milan fan.
“When we contacted them he told me he would never go to Juventus and Inter. Paolo and Ricky signed him at a super price for a player like that. In the first year he was stiffened by his love for Milan, by his respect for the stadium and many asked themselves questions.
“My dad told me: ‘Look, he’s afraid of playing’. It was true, but given his potential he needed a year to get used to it and breathe freely. Before he wasn’t free, he was too much of a Milan fan. Leaving a symbol like this, then after the title, after everything he did and how he did it.”
Zvonimir Boban, once a very good player, now just a man who can’t keep a job and is in constant need of attention.
Whats the point of this interview 2 days before Milan plays a final, be it a Copa Italia final?
Regardless of what he is saying is true or not, he could have given this interview 2 weeks ago, or even 2 months ago when Milan was losing left and right, or he could have given the interview 2 weeks from now when the season is over, especially if Milan loses and misses on Europe all together. But he gives it 2 days before the final, and he is talking about Milanismo.
He is speaking the Truth with capital T. As a direct, honest and uncompromising figure why would he be concerned about sensitivity of his words and timing. It’s not like he personally chose when would the podcast take place.
You are complaining about the timing of the interview and how would it affect a team, but he didn’t mention the squad anywhere in the criticism. It was directed at the ownership structure and _soulless_ direction they are steering to. How they are decoupling from the history and values which brought the club legendary status.
The timing of the podcast or interview is important because it draws attention from the game, and it does affect the players because they have to read and be asked about it.
And did you just say that he personally didn’t choose when the podcast takes place?
Who chose the time? God?
It’s not like he was on a podcast with Joe Rogan, and this was the time Joe was able to book him.
As i said, He is using Milan for attention, regardless if he is speaking the truth. Not the time for this interview.
True words! Finally someone with some sense in this negative website.
Forza Milan.
If the team were winning this would be a pretty positive place.
Maybe the players can learn from his words. CARE. ABOUT. THE. BADGE. Not your name on the back.
He can say what he likes when he likes, he owes the board nothing in respect, and if he (like me) thinks they will use a cup win to justify their sh**ty summer, then his timing is perfect.
Don’t let the clowns off the hook just because we might blag the tin cup.
The management =/= the club
Boban should shut the f*ck up
I really hope none of the players pay attention to any of this
Also a huge f*ck you to Pellegatti, Capello, Costacurta and all these Milan figures who are showing major disrespect towards Conceicao by speculating on the next coach, even though Conceicao has been clearly showing good results despite the chaos this season has bee nand he’s been keeping true to his word, to everything he said
He said that he couldn’t train the team the way he wanted to because of the congested schedule, and ever since we stopped playing every 3 days then we’ve slowly been seeing results and progress under him, of course the squad still lacks quality in several areas(midfield and defense especially) but that’s not his fault
It’s insane to me how the Italian media are trying to spin it like Milan has a great squad, when in fact we have a very lopsided team with some overrated players(Leao and Theo who are heavily shilled by media despite being bad) and several deficincies all over the place and despite all that Conceicao is getting results
So the fact that the media is trying to spin it like Conceicao is underdelivering(he is not, he is over-delivering in his situation) makes me think they’ve set him up as the fall guy
Sadly Conceicao will probably leave at the end of the season judging from his words
Boban is clueless
This is not the time of Berlusconi
We have FFP nowadays to deal with, so everything has to be seen as business
Redbird is struggling to pay off the loan those greedy sharks Elliott made them take, and on the other part they have to deal with that rat Sala who is making the stadium issue complicated
Italian bureaucracy is cancerous
“Redbird is struggling to pay off the loan those greedy sharks Elliott made them take”
They made them take that loan🤣🤣🤣
Please don’t stop, you’re making my evening.
Kinda strange how he talks about Maldini who had assembled a squad with FFP limits and helped us win a total.
It sounds like you like Redbird. Like. A lot.
Gerry has made. A complete mess of this club in a a very short time and it started with firing M&M and selling the only player besides Calabria who would give everything for this club.
My God the point Boban is trying to make went right over your head.
Redbird wholeheartedly went in to purchase Milan . Nobody made them take a loan , Cardinale and his henchmen negotiated the deal. If they fail to repay the vendor loan they will join Yonghong Lee and the other phonies who tried to own Milan without having the financial muscle to do so and failed miserably.
That you say Boban is clueless speaks volumes of your knowledge and passion for this club.
You’re talking about my favorite player of all time. Remember, this is a legend who drop kicked a police officer that was assaulting a fan during a game where hostilities had erupted.
The guy loves what he loves and cares little for those that are against that. Which is our current management.
I miss watching Zoro play.
Dude you do know the concept of a taped podcast, right?
Speaking honestly Rafa Leao.seems to be THE last.inconsistent player in the club untill he reaches benefit game as team member of ACM, i.mean
In the inconsistene playeR list stayed behind:
Firstly Royal , Fofana, next is
Tiji, Musah, Felix, Theo and so
At other side we have RLC, Maignan even Gabbia and Pavlovic and Leao is just stays in the center of the consistency
Honestly
These players are genious but there seems as inconsistent.for ACM ATM
The fake news media complex would have us believe Tonali’s a step away from returning to Italy, but to Juventus…
Playing vs Bologna next match will be a match for A consistence gants A promotion as too consistented 4 ACM
My predicted after this match 4- 4- 2 team is
Mike
Walker Gabbia Pavlovic Bartexaghi
Chukwueze Pulisic Rlc. Leao
Gimenez Jimenez
🤣 dont let the doctors sign you out just yet.
They come out of the woodwork when some people speak or there’s talk about a certain someone, don’t it?
Anyways, lemme see where we at on table….oh 8th. Ok 👌
Everyone should go watch the video on Longoni’s YT page. Boban speaks many truths. Echoes a lot of things that have been said by Silvestrin and Morelli, along with Longoni of course.
There’s no project or future while we’re still on this path with this management.