Carlo Pellegatti believes that AC Milan must continue to ignore the media noise that is being generated as the Champions League semi-finals against Inter approach.
When the quarter-final draw was made in Nyon and it pitted Milan against Spurs, many expected the Premier League side to have too much for Stefano Pioli’s men over the two legs, especially with their supposedly world class attack.
The Rossoneri beat them 1-0 over the two games to set up a meeting with Napoli, who are the champions elect and were well above in the league table. However, Milan again upset the odds as they won 2-1 on aggregate to seal a meeting with Inter in the semis, and they are again likely to be the underdogs.
Pellegatti spoke during his weekly column for MilanNews and wanted to stress that while fans and pundits continue to write off Milan’s chances, the team are well aware of their means.
“Although perhaps the most important, delicate, historic matches in Milan of these roaring twenties are still a week away, the predictions of famous commentators, authoritative critics and popular ex-players are beginning to be read and heard,” he began.
“They are the same ones who predicted an easy victory for Napoli, in the quarter-finals, who are still surprised by Milan’s return to the elite of international football. They who have clear which team will sail towards the Bosphorus, to conquer the ancient Byzantium.
“This is despite the bad figures they have been collecting since the distant summer of 2020, when Milan gained a spot in the Europa League thanks to amassing 30 points in 12 games, enhanced by the 35 goals scored.
“Those who understand had also ruled out that Milan could win a place in the Champions League the following season. Imagine their faces when Milan celebrated a well-deserved Scudetto a year ago.
“For them, it was born only from the amnesia and deficiencies of rivals, not of the six consecutive victories in the season finale and the two goals conceded in the last 11 games.
“They certainly don’t give up now, remembering and emphasising the difference in the squad or the form of Milan and Inter. ‘Stefano Pioli’s Surprises’ are silent and work, with great respect for their opponents, but well aware of their mental and physical qualities.
“The same ones that allowed Milan to overcome the tremendous tension and strong pressure that permeated the eve of the terrible matches against a rival, many points ahead in the table.
“Just the day after winning the quarter-final, a friend reminded me of a phrase by Keyser Soeze, an unforgettable character from the great film ‘The Usual Suspects’.
“‘The devil’s greatest trick was to make the world believe he doesn’t exist’. A deception that the Rossoneri devil has been perpetrating for three years, without many having noticed it.”
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