Milan flinch in the shadow of the Curva as moment of destiny awaits

D efeat was a disaster, but it was the aftermath that made international headlines: Milan’s players and manager silently facing their supporters in the away section of Spezia’s Stadio Alberto Picco while one fan addressed them with a monologue. There were no TV microphones close enough to listen in but bowed heads and solemn expressions made it appear as an act of submission: disobedient students being scolded by a master.

Those present told it differently. “What happened beneath the Curva was something positive,” said Stefano Pioli. “They were only motivating us, pushing us to give our all.” The defender Simon Kjær echoed that sentiment, adding: “Our fans have surprised me in lots of good ways since we won the league. They have always been close to us.”

Even so, interpretations varied of what went down after Spezia’s 2-0 win. Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, the columnist Luigi Garlando asked whether the likes of Paolo Maldini would ever have tolerated being spoken down to. The former Milan and Italy defender, now a director at the club, famously berated a supporter who sought to lecture players on their attitude after they blew a 3-0 lead in the 2005 Champions League final.

Milan’s players – like those of many clubs in Italy – go under the Curva to acknowledge fans after every game, win or lose. It is uncommon for individual supporters to be given an opportunity to address the team directly, as happened on Saturday, but not unprecedented. Whether it should happen is a grey area.

The Milan ultras were not happy with the players