Milan Celebrates Supercoppa Victory Ahead of Cagliari Clash

MILAN, Italy — The Milan football club celebrated its Supercoppa victory on Saturday, January 11, 2025, with a lap of honor at San Siro stadium ahead of their Serie A match against Cagliari. The Rossoneri, fresh off their triumph in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, showcased the trophy to their fans, marking their first major silverware under new captain Davide Calabria.

Calabria, speaking to Dazn, expressed his pride in leading the team to victory: “It was what we wanted, and we brought it home. But that match is already a few days behind us.” The defender also commented on his first start under new manager Sergio Conceiçao, stating, “I feel good; it will be a match like any other. These are the early days, and we still need to get to know each other better.”

The match against Cagliari marked Conceiçao’s debut at San Siro as Milan’s head coach. The Portuguese manager opted to start Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao, who last started together at home on November 30, 2024, in a 3-0 win over Empoli. The duo, instrumental in the Supercoppa victory, now boasts a combined 470 appearances in Milan colors.

Cagliari, meanwhile, arrived in Milan buoyed by a crucial win against Monza, ending a four-match losing streak. Manager Davide Nicola made tactical adjustments, deploying Adam Obert as a left-back. Obert, traditionally a center-back, told Dazn, “I’ve always played as a central defender, but I’ve been on the left a few times last season. I’m improving my movements and feel comfortable.”

The match also saw a change in officiating, with Matteo Marchetti replaced by Francesco Fourneau as the referee. The game was broadcast live on Dazn, Sky Sport, and streaming platforms, drawing significant attention from fans worldwide.

Milan’s lineup featured key players such as Mike Maignan, Fikayo Tomori, and Christian Pulisic, while Cagliari relied on the likes of Boris Radunovic and Gianluca Lapadula. The Rossoneri aimed to avoid a repeat of their post-Real Madrid slump, which saw them drop points against Cagliari earlier in the season.

As the Supercoppa trophy was paraded around the stadium, Milan fans displayed banners upside down in protest against changes in ticket sales for Milan Club members. The Association of Milan Clubs announced that members would now need to purchase tickets individually online, a move that has sparked discontent among supporters.

With the Champions League spots still within reach, Milan’s focus remains on maintaining momentum. Conceiçao’s tactical acumen and the team’s renewed confidence will be crucial as they navigate a challenging Serie A campaign.