VERONA, ITALY – MARCH 17: Giorgio Furlani CEO of AC Milan interacts with Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Serie A TIM match between Hellas Verona FC and AC Milan at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on March 17, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani admits the club also feels ‘regret, anger and frustration’ at a dismal season, but warns Manchester City that ‘it is not necessary to sacrifice’ Tijjani Reijnders.
The match with Monza kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Bologna vs. Genoa on the Liveblog.
The atmosphere in the city is fiery, as anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 fans gathered outside the club headquarters this afternoon to stage a protest against the directors and owners.
They then marched towards San Siro, where they will continue their angry remonstration in the stands.
“Our fans are disappointed, they feel regret, anger, frustration, all sentiments that we feel too. Don’t think we don’t feel the same way. The season ends here, from next week we begin work on the next,” Furlani told DAZN.
Although Milan won the Supercoppa Italiana in January, the rest of the season was a total failure, losing the Coppa Italia Final to Bologna and missing out on qualification for UEFA competitions.
“We cannot talk about just one reason for this, because we are so far from what we expected and wanted, that there cannot just be one reason. We start again from tomorrow, there are many things we need to fix, because the next season cannot be like this.”
Coach Sergio Conceicao sits out a one-match ban and therefore has to salute the supporters from the stands, but he is not expected to remain at Milan next season.
There were multiple reports this week that the club had at least finally chosen a new director of sport, hiring former Lazio chief Igli Tare.
“Announcements will be made next week, so please have a little patience,” added Furlani when pressed on Tare.
“We’ll clarify everything next week.”
There have been reports of big offers for several top stars, including Rafael Leao and above all Manchester City transfer target Tijjani Reijnders.
“I would focus not on individual players, but rather what we must do to improve and strengthen this squad. Many mistakes were made, also in putting the team together, so we must adjust and improve in the interests of Milan.”
Furlani was asked if the failure to qualify for Europe means Milan must make a sacrifice by selling a top name to raise funds, but his response suggested otherwise.
“Considering the way we are run, it is not necessary to make a sacrifice.”
Among the reasons for the protest from the fans was the choice of coach, where Antonio Conte had been an option last year, only for him to win the Scudetto at Napoli. Is he the biggest regret?
“Conte and Napoli deserve congratulations for their success, an extraordinary achievement. As I said, many errors were made, so I wouldn’t focus on just the one,” concluded Furlani.
