A bittersweet evening, an evening of goodbyes. Milan-Salernitana ends 3-3 – a sensational result in itself – but which does not shift the balance. A match that had nothing to say for the standings but for Stefano Pioli has many meanings. For the last time he entered San Siro as Rossoneri coachlast walked in the area
Milan’s technique, for the last time he looked at the packed stands who applauded him.
“We are immensely grateful to him”, admits CEO Furlani before the match. Pioli leaves with second place in the standings and the certainty of the Champions League, a result that Paulo Fonseca – the most accredited candidate to take his place – cannot claim. Lille did not progress beyond the Champions League preliminaries. A particular choice if it were to be confirmed. At the moment, however, the only certainty is that Pioli will no longer be Milan’s coach.
The victory over Salernitana does not arrive, the already relegated Colantuono team snatches a draw thanks to a few too many errors in defense. Usual flaw for Milan who let themselves come back until 3-3 with Simy’s brace and Sambia’s goal on the finale. But the result doesn’t matter, at least for this evening of farewells. Only the hugs, smiles and gestures of affection aimed at Pioli count.
The first tribute comes from the team and the staff, an enveloping hug before the kick-off when they applauded him for a long time in the center of a circle. The whole stadium followed the team in thanking the coach. Gestures of affection come mostly from Rafael Leao who, after having unlocked the match with a robbery goal on a sensational duck by Fiorillo, he runs to his coach to hug him. “Your name has entered the history of Milan – the message of affection written by the Portuguese on Instagram in the afternoon -, thank you for helping me insert my name into the football elite and conquer an important place in this great club. You I will always be grateful.”
A cycle led by Pioli and which also had many protagonists ends. Some remain, aOthers leave like Olivier Giroud who takes his leave as he knows best: with a goal. He rejoices by kissing the Milan crest on his shirt, then leaves the pitch in the second half with the standing ovation at San Siro. The striker will play in the United States after scoring 49 goals and crumbling what has long been ‘the curse of the number 9’ after Pippo Inzaghi. Leave Kjaer too, for him a handful of final minutes. The club greets everyone with a catwalk at the end of the match, in the applause of the fans, with the managers on the pitch and in the emotion of the protagonists.
“When we were little, Kjaer and I dreamed of this Milan. Today we have made a journey that makes us proud. I will never forget these three seasons at Milan”: are the words with which Olivier Giroud greets the fans. The club organized a catwalk with tribute and celebratory shirt as a gift for the French striker, the Danish defender and Stefano Pioli. “I want to thank the club for their trust, all the managers – explains Giroud through tears – who welcomed me like a brother into this family. The trust of the managers, thanks Ibra. I want to thank the coach for his trust and support in the difficult moments we shared. It is very important to stay united in these moments. We had an incredible first year, in my opinion one of the best emotions of my career. Above all, I want to thank all my teammates, we are a team and a family. Thanks guys. This chorus – ‘Giroud turned – will always remain in my heart.’ And the Curva Sud writes on its banners: ‘A serious man of values, you have honored our history and our colours. Good luck Olivier. Turn and stick the real scudetto in your face”, referring to the goal in the derby.
Milan will change, perhaps not like last summer, but certainly in key roles from the coach to the starting striker. “The Milan of the future – says CEO Furlani – we will do
everything to make it competitive and we will do a more targeted job compared to last year when we had to make a profound change to the squad.”
