“San Siro, don’t go home, stay a moment longer, we have a surprise for all of you,” shouts Gegio, the Rossoneri speaker after the final whistle. The Rossoneri states general take to the field: president Scaroni, the CEO. Furlani, the super Ibra consultant. And then all the players, collaborators, Pioli’s staff, forming two perpendicular lines in the middle of the pitch.
celebrations
—
A “pasillo de honor” to celebrate and honor those who are greeting. The first to walk it is Simon Kjaer, visibly moved while the most beautiful images of him in the red and black scroll on the big screens: “It’s not easy for me, I thank everyone”. Then it’s Giroud’s turn, and the emotion increases further: “I thank the club for their trust, I was welcomed like a brother – says Oly while the stadium cameras catch crying fans and the South celebrates him with the personalized choir -. I thank Ibra and the coach for the support in the difficult moments we shared. It was one of the best emotions of my career, we are a family. I will never forget these three seasons.”
emotions
—
Pioli watches from the sidelines, in the locker room tunnel waiting to be called, and cries. Then it’s his turn. Choirs, applause from all sectors. “I thank those who gave me the opportunity to coach a fantastic club, thanks to the owners and all the employees. To my staff, to my players, you are special and certain things will remain. And then there’s all of you – he says, pointing to the audience. There were so many of you, you stimulated us.” And then, here’s the magic again: Sud kicks off and starts, for the last time, “Pioli is on fire”. Ripped from controversy and handed over to the merits of this coach. The players throw him in the air, but he still has something to say: “We suffered and won together, you put a fire in my heart, and it will always remain lit and I will not forget you”. “Without beating around the bush: thank you for everything Mister Pioli”, reads the banner on the second blue ring. Curtain.
