[Fillipo Simone]

Maldini Criticises Milan Tifosi

Milan legend Paolo Maldini has launched a surprise attack on the Rossoneri fans for not singing and cheering on their team enough during games.

The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza was conspicuously quiet during Milan’s 2-1 victory over Benfica on Tuesday evening and Maldini admits he was not impressed. 

“The Milan supporters? I was displeased. In fact I got very angry as did many of my team-mates,” said Maldini. 

“After everything we have done for the supporters and all the trophies we have won, we deserve some better treatment.  “This attitude began in the derby last year. With the help of the crowd we would not have lost the game that day.” 

The 39-year-old Maldini is set to retire at the end of the season after a glittering career. The defender made his debut for the Rossoneri almost 23 years ago in 1985 and has since gone on to win every club honour in the game, including seven league championships and five Champions League titles. 

The great is also the most capped Italian international of all time, having played 126 times for his country. The stopper played in four World Cups and three European Championships but never won a major international trophy, despite appearances in the final of USA 94’ and Euro 2000.

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[Tennie]

Okay, here's the original, cut/pasted from the Gazzetta article (link)

Contro il Benfica, per l’ennesima volta, i tifosi del Milan non hanno intonato cori per la squadra. E’ dispiaciuto?

"Di più: sono molto arrabbiato, come i miei compagni. Dopo tutto quello che abbiamo dato, fatto e vinto, meritiamo un trattamento diverso. Quest’atteggiamento è iniziato nel derby di ritorno dell’anno scorso. Con un aiuto da parte della nostra curva, non avremmo perso quella partita".

Perché accade?

"Difficile dirlo. Ci sono motivazioni economiche, giochi di potere. Ma se sono queste le ragioni per andare allo stadio, non so più che cosa pensare. Comunque non è solo la curva a non sostenerci: anche i tifosi degli altri settori se ne stanno zitti. Io credo che quando si canta "Abbiamo il Milan nel cuore", poi bisogna dimostrarlo. Ormai noi giochiamo in trasferta o in campo neutro: mai davvero in casa. Non mi sembra logico, e la squadra non ci sta più".

Ci sono anche le manifestazioni di dissenso nei confronti di Dida e Gilardino.

"Un’altra cosa che non comprendo. I fischi ci sono sempre stati, ma qui si sta andando oltre. A San Siro si sentono applausi ironici per Dida quando blocca una palla facile. Ma quello è il portiere della finale di Manchester, è un campione d’Europa come Gilardino. San Siro è sempre stato magico: adesso stiamo perdendo questa magia".


The translations in the English-language article are pretty accurate. The rest of the article is actually a nice interview. This bit is only a small section.

As for why the curva was quiet...remember, last year during one of the derby matches, they went 'on strike'? That's what Paolo is referring to.

As for economic reasons, the curva didn't get a deal on CL tickets. Economic ties between clubs and ultras is a big problem in Italy; in some places, the ultras run concessions at the stadia, ticket sales, etc etc etc. They're also given cut rates for special events like CL games. This in turn gives the curva 'power' relative to what it wants from the club. One of the best things Claudio Lotito has done for Lazio is to take the concessions and ticket sales /back/ from the Lazio ultras - and it's earned him enemies. Now I don't know what the exact relationship is between Milan and the successor groups to FdL, but it sounds as if the successor groups want more and Milan isn't giving it.