Champions League semi-finals: Only miracles help: Milan threatens to be out of the premier class

Before part two of the big Milan football festival in the Champions League, Milan’s party mood has passed.

First the disappointment at 0:2 in the semi-final first leg against city rivals Inter, then the next embarrassing slip in the league and to top it all off a fan debate: The Rossoneri are on the verge of spoiling their whole season just in the final spurt . “Milan is threatened with hell,” wrote the “Gazzetta dello Sport”.

catching up far away

Hardly any picture fitted the condition of the former flagship club better than the one from Saturday evening in the Ligurian port of La Spezia. There, Milan had just lost 2-0 to Serie A relegation candidates Spezia Calcio. There was no trace of a rearing up or even warming up for a dreamed catch-up race in the second leg of the premier class. After the final whistle, the team and coach Stefano Pioli trotted under the guest curve and had a leader of the Milan ultras read the riot act.

The pros – including seasoned national players and even a world champion – looked like lined up schoolboys who were given a hearty lecture by the teacher after the next failed exam. The scene even employs the Italian association. He wants to clarify what the speech should be. Footballers in Italy are forbidden from going into fan curves in order to be “publicly pilloried” – as the association’s code says.

Coach Pioli quickly reassured that the supporters just wanted to motivate his team for the second leg against Inter on Tuesday evening (9 p.m. / Prime Video): “Our fans encouraged us for the game. We only received encouragement.” In fact, the Tifosi seem to want to support the struggling team rather than berate them.

Hundreds of ultras, rank and file fans and families flocked to the Milan training center on Sunday following a call on social media. With battle chants, they got their team in the mood for the Inter duel. The players faced the supporters again, clapped and sometimes even joined in the chanting.

Inter in top form – Can Rafael Leão help?

Of course, motivation alone shouldn’t be enough against Inter – unlike their city rivals, coach Simone Inzaghi’s team is currently in its strongest phase of the season. “This is one of the most important games in Inter’s more than 100-year history,” emphasized the coach. “There are still 90 minutes plus injury time missing for our dream.”

Defense chief Francesco Acerbi announced: “We’re ready. It’s going to be a beautiful game that gives you adrenaline and that right kind of fear.”

To beat the Nerazzurri by more than two goals on Tuesday, Milan need a little football miracle. Rafael Leão, among others, should take care of this: The most dangerous AC striker missed the first leg due to an adductor injury – and how! Without the winger, the team lacked speed, danger in counter-attacks and, above all, ideas on the offensive. Now the 23-year-old Portuguese should be ready for action again in time for the showdown in the sold-out San Siro Stadium.

“It’s about everything for Milan,” headlined the “Gazzetta”. This does not only apply to the derby in the premier class. Due to the recent blunders in Serie A, Milan is also in danger of missing out on the top four places in the table and thus qualifying for the premier class next season. According to the mechanisms customary in the industry, in the worst case – a clear semi-final defeat against Inter and missing out on the Champions League places – coach Pioli has to fear for his job.

According to the media, Paolo Maldini, a club legend who, among other things, had won the premier class five times, could even be replaced as technical director. The stakes are high for Milan.