Milan-Verona, San Siro and the fans: from protests to chants

Journalist

December 28, 2025 (changed at 7.37pm) – MILANO

It was Max’s hand. Paraphrasing Sorrentino, we can highlight how much and how Allegri’s arrival had an impact on the Milan world, bringing back 360 degree enthusiasm. From the field to the stands. Yes, because with the fans the task was more difficult: to make the stadium sing again for their idols, after months of harsh protests and banners against the team and the club. Now the world has turned upside down, it seems like a lifetime ago. Today the Rossoneri beat Verona 3-0 and end 2025 in the lead – awaiting Inter on stage in Bergamo – and they do it in a San Siro dressed to the nines.

first time for nkunku

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In the first half the stadium sang and pushed the team. Then, in the 45th minute, after Pulisic’s goal at the end of the first half, the first chant started. “Christian Pulisic la la la” and so on. Then, at the beginning of the second half, it was Nkunku’s turn, a surprise first time. The Frenchman had never yet scored in the championship, but above all he had never offered a performance capable of making his way into the hearts of the Rossoneri fans. On the first ring the Frenchman inflated his red balloon under the south and gave it to the fans, who five minutes later dedicated the first chant of the season to him.

standing ovation

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From there Luka Modric took the stage. First on the pitch, then in the stands. The Croatian lit up the San Siro throughout the match with fine play, two accelerations and his usual class. In the 70th minute Allegri replaced him, bringing on Jashari. The curve thanked him with a standing ovation: such open applause hasn’t been seen at San Siro for a while. And not only that. A minute passes and the curve begins to sing “mamma mamma mamma, you know why my heart beats, I saw Luka Modric. O mammà, I’m in love”, the famous chorus dedicated to Maradona by Napoli fans. Finally, the stadium also sang for Saelemakers, before returning to applaud Pulisic upon his exit. Same chorus as the goal. Then, at the final whistle, everyone under the curve. Lots of smiles, Nkunku hugged Maignan and open applause. The Rossoneri calendar year ends like this.

world turned upside down

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If you think only about ten months the scenario is completely reversed. At the end of February in Bologna, the curve had displayed a banner that left no room for any interpretation. “We are not here for the team, for this team.” And again “get your balls out…”. In short, a hostile climate against players and clubs. Seven days later, yet another confirmation. Lazio arrived at San Siro and the fans deserted the corner for the first 15 minutes of the match. Then, down to whistle. Every mistake, every inaccuracy, everything. And so it will be in the weeks to come. Last year was a complex year on all fronts. Society was also the target. “Incompetent managers, without ambition, you are not up to our history”, “We are not Americans” and so on. Even at the party for the club’s 125th year there was no shortage of protest chants, banners and protests, so much so that Ibra and Furlani entered from the back to avoid the fans. Today, however, everything has changed. Max and his boys have turned the world upside down Milan like a sock. And the photograph of the team under the curve in celebration is the happiest demonstration of this.