All articles tagged with #italian soccer
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan walked off the field due to racist abuse by Udinese fans, prompting a brief suspension of the game, but later returned with his teammates to win 3-2. Maignan, who is Black, had also experienced racist chants in a previous game. The incident highlights ongoing issues with racism in Italian and European soccer, with Udinese likely facing consequences for the behavior of its fans.
A.C. Milan's return to the Champions League represents a revival of its grandeur, with the club drawing on its institutional muscle memory to bring back the energy and atmosphere of its past. Milan's focus on youth and data-infused approach has helped it make up for the financial shortfall and compete with other Italian teams. Milan's city rival, Inter, represents a formidable opponent in the upcoming semifinals, but Milan is undaunted and ready to be a protagonist in Italian soccer once again.
Milan defeated Napoli 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal, reigniting hope for Italian soccer. The match was a reminder of the glory days of Italian soccer, when Italian clubs regularly won the European title. Italy's top league, Serie A, has been in decline, but new team owners and ideas have brought optimism. However, Italy still struggles to produce elite players and compete with the Premier League's TV contracts. The recent revivals of clubs like Milan and Napoli represent hope, but there is a fear that they may be temporary. The San Siro stadium is a symbol of this tension, beloved by preservationists but derided as an antiquated mausoleum.
Jay-Z's agency Roc Nation took out a full-page ad in Italy's La Gazzetta Sport to denounce racism in soccer after Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku was subjected to monkey noises during a match. The ad called on fans to do better and be better, and for bigots to be held accountable to a human standard. Lukaku has been subjected to racist chants on several occasions during his two stints at Inter. The Italian league condemned the actions of the fans, and Lukaku called for the league to take real action against racism.