Stefano Pioli Acknowledges AC Milan Fans’ Silent Protest During Genoa Draw

Following AC Milan‘s 3-3 Serie A draw against Genoa on Sunday, manager Stefano Pioli expressed his respect for the silent protest carried out by thousands of disappointed fans.

With Milan finishing the season without a trophy for the second consecutive year and trailing city rivals Inter Milan by 18 points, frustrated supporters unveiled banners calling for improvements to the team. Additionally, the hardcore ultras remained silent throughout the match as a form of protest.

As the match progressed, fans from the entire Curva Sud section of the San Siro stadium left behind a banner reading “the sound of silence” as they exited en masse, particularly after Olivier Giroud’s goal put Milan 3-2 ahead in the 75th minute. By the time Genoa equalized late in the match with an own goal by Malick Thiaw, the stand was completely empty.

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Pioli, whose side has already secured a Champions League spot for next season, acknowledged the fans’ chosen form of protest, emphasizing the need to respect their decision. He recognized the fans’ significant contribution to the club in recent years and acknowledged that they likely had valid reasons for their protest.

The draw against Genoa also extended Milan’s winless streak to four league matches. Pioli admitted disappointment with the team’s performance, highlighting a poor start and a lack of concentration and unity in the opening 20 minutes. Despite creating numerous opportunities, Milan made several errors that prevented them from securing a crucial victory.

Reflecting on the result, Pioli expressed regret that Milan couldn’t secure a win, noting its importance for their position in the league table.