Gigio Donnarumma was booed by the Giuseppe Meazza crowd last night and Italian papers condemn the fans, even comparing them to those who racially abused Kalidou Koulibaly in Florence.
Donnarumma returned to San Siro for the first time since his move to PSG. As expected, the many Milan fans at the stadium booed him every time he touched the ball, starting from the warmup.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini admitted it was ‘disappointing’ to hear the boos for the goalkeeper.
When the stadium’s speaker announced the lineups, it was ‘impossible’ to hear Donnarumma’s name, wrote La Gazzetta dello Sport.
The pink paper condemned the boos for the 22-year-old, saying they ‘made Italy look bad.’
“It’s easy to complain about Wembley’s welcome, the British’s unsportsmanlike, the empty words of fair play, the silver medal immediately removed from the neck, and then behave more or less in the same way,” Gazzetta correspondent Fabio Licari wrote.
This morning, every Italian paper has at least one article dedicated to Donnarumma’s welcome on his return to Milan.
Perhaps, Il Corriere dello Sport went a bit beyond, comparing the boos for the goalkeeper to the racist insults received by Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in Florence last weekend.
“Those who booed Donnarumma are the only ones who deserve the defeat,” wrote Alessandro Barbano.
“They are not fans and they are not a few. Their apelike shouts match the insults received by Koulibaly in Florence and say a lot about the virus that infects Italian football.”
Koulibaly racially abused: ‘Identify them and keep them out of the stadiums’
The Napoli defender was racially abused in Florence after the Partenopei’s 2-1 win over La Viola last weekend.
After the match, Koulibaly confirmed he had been targeted by racial slurs.
La Viola is trying to identify the fan who insulted Koulibaly and will ban him from the Franchi for life.
Italy eventually lost 2-1 against La Roja, putting an end to their 37-game unbeaten run. Before the game, Donnarumma said he hoped fans would not boo him and the 22-year-old hasn’t reacted on social media after last night’s match.
Football is nothing without the fans. The fans were voicing their opinion which they are entitled to do. If it’s not your opinion – fine, crack on with your life instead of creating an excuse for the lacklustre performance of the national team.
We the Milanisti do not forget! It may be a different shirt but its the same man that chose money rather than his heart.
The papers can say what they want to to as they always do but the Milanisti sent a message to Donnarumma.
What craziness am I reading this morning? They’re seriously trying to draw comparisons of that $$$$$rumma jeering to racist booing? Place has gone truly insane.
Probably an agenda to deflect attention from the many compounding reasons for last’s night’s loss:
1. $$$$rumma played ONLY 4 games of PSG’s 12 this season so clearly NOT in best of form
2. Mancini’s team selection was not up to scratch last night. Everyone else in the football world was wondering why our captain and leader Chiellini wasn’t starting against a team that has been our bogey side the last few years. No to mention other debatable players.
3. Insigne sitter missed-would have changed the game
4. Bonucci’s red card
5. The support from Milan fans at the San Siro has ALWAYS been there-hence the near excellent record of not losing at San Siro (think last nigth may have been 1st ever loss at SS, or first since 1925?)
6. So you’re telling me if away fans were booing $$$$rumma he’d be affected too by this? A banner and some boos? Get real. Come on, strengthen that spine. He’s been there before with this.
7. Spain played very well…probably got revenge from the EU semi. I was at Wembley for that game-they played us off the park during that game too.
The media are looking for a scapegoat and the Rossoneri fans are it. Go look somewhere else. With better finishing we could have had our say last night but credit to Spain as well.
Now the agenda will come against Milan in the league…
Agreed @Chris. Well said, totally entitled to.
IF we had won last night, the booing would only be briefly mentioned. We didn’t lose because of Gigio being booed. We lost because the most experienced Italian player on the pitch decided to let himself and his teammates down.
Forgot this, a bit important.
The marking on those Italy goals conceded was abysmal. Truly uncharacteristic. Focus on that instead.
Haven’t heard B****ni’s name called yet. Only in these comments. And not because he’s Interisti, doesn’t matter it’s Azzurri. Players make mistakes…it happens but no one should be infallible. Back to the substandard squad selection.
The Italian FA should release a statement that they will not play anymore national games in Milan. nor should any federal money go to Milan for the 2024 winter Olympics.
Instead booing the biased corrupt ref they booing their national team, all to to put petty club politics over country.
Really makes these players want to bleed and fight for the Azzurri shirt.
Selfish , petty people putting a foreign owned club before national interests.
Where do they get off they thinking they own Donnarummamany. Especially hilarious coming from Italians,acting like the company owns you, they have zero loyalty to the work, just way for them to earn a living.
Milan fans are a bit psychotic even acted like they owned Lukkah when he left Inter Milian, who going to get booed next and if he doesn’t tells you what most pissed them off is that Donnarumma is Italian, how dare he want more money or to leave for a bigger club.
@ Nick…. Are you for real, there is a difference going to another club or country and being booed as a team than your own fans booing you, targeting a player.
They were booing their national team, do you know what a psychological effect that has on players, fans booing you especially when wearing national shirt and it is your countrymen. Really makes what try your hardest for the country, which is why Italy has 4 World Cup, that players tried more for Azzurri.
There is a reason their is pride in wearing the Azzurri , pride in representing your country. These morons fans dared to boo national team who just won the nation it’s first Euro in 45 years, ungracious twats. Putting some mid table foreign owned club above national interests.
Why are so many fans annoyed at Donnarumma’s departure to PSG? What right have fans to be annoyed if a player decides to leave a club? Do the fans own the player? No is the answer! When a player puts on the Italian shirt, irrespective of what you perceive to have been a wrongdoing, you should never boo him! Can you imagine if the Italian players held grudges when they meet up for the national team? You would all be saying that it is not acceptable and childish to do this!
So everyone, please get behind Donnarumma, he is the best keeper in the world!
I would not worry about yesterday’s defeat. Italy’s real focus is on beating Switzerland next month and not the Nations League!
Spain do not play other teams off the park! Their possession based football is boring and they hold the ball for the sake of holding the ball. This is not dominance! Their play has no visceral thrill whatsoever.
In the semi-final, Italy and Spain had five shots on target each, so I cannot see how ‘Italy were played off the park.’
Imagine’s chance was not a sitter. Far from it.
Also,booing the Spanish Anthem?
Did they spurn a Milan contract as well?
But these were the same people that condemned the English for booing the Italian anthem.
Hypocrites.
Abhorrent to boo, jeer players while playing for the Nazionale … whatever the reasons❗❗
If many of the Milan fans continue like this .. sending such negative energy continuously will only draw negative energy back .. and the very good replacement they’ve got for Donnarumma .. Maignan … all will be channelled towards him .. UNIVERSE will say .. continue hating your past .. you don’t need the good present I’ve given you and the positive results ❗❗
Why do fans have to be annoyed with Donnarumma? What right have fans to believe that they own a player and that he must stay with a club forever? Fans do not own a player! A player is free to make a choice and go wherever he pleases, just as other people are allowed to move from job to job. Once a player puts on that precious Italian jersey, then any grudges a fan has must be put aside!
Can you imagine if, when the national team players meet up. they held grudges against one another because of a perceived wrongdoing? You would call it childish! Donnarumma is the best keeper in the world and deserves support from all Italians, especially after helping Italy win the Euros.
Don’t worry too much about the defeat, it is better it happened here and not at the World Cup. Italy’s real focus is on qualifying for the World Cup!
Spain do NOT play teams off the park. I wish people would understand this! They play a possession based football, which I have to say has no visceral thrill, Yes, they are boring to watch! If Spain are such a superior side and play teams off the park then why are not European or World Champions?
In the semi-final, Italy and Spain had five shots each on target, that is not being played off the park!
@TONY
Excellently Put ….
The Italian Football Association should see to that what happened yesterday with Donnarumma on Nazionale Duty should not happen again. In the meantime a piece of advice from an Ordinary but Die-hard Azzurri Supporter to Donnarumma … take the Boos and Jeers as Compliments … those doing so … highly rate you, miss you and are unhappy with you leaving even though they have got an excellent replacement ❗❗
As fans who pay part of the wages of players and staff we’re entitled to voice our opinion. If it’s diametrically opposed to your viewpoint.. fine.. I’m not out here criticising your opinion because as the name suggests – it’s YOUR opinion.
Donnarumma had it coming!
I like the fact that true Milanisti hold the Milan shirt before the Azzurri shirt. As it should be. Supporting a club represents true passion.
Following the national team (whatever your nationality) is more “for fun” and to join in and feel part of the “mass hysteria” (in a good way) during a World Cup or Euro event.
Hear me out:
1) Donnarumma is fully entitled to seek out the best contract offer!
2) Donnarumma is fully entitled to desire a new experience (abroad) in order to develope, if he feels that will bring him closer to his ambition, which I assume is to be regarded as the World’s best keeper.
However:
3) If Donnarumma had no intention of extending his contract, and if he made this decision a long time ago (i.e. during the Summer of 2020), then it is dishonest and deceitful to play along with contract negotiations instead of giving the Milan management a fair warning of his intentions and thereby a fair chance to sell him in order not to lose their most valuable asset for nothing!
4) If Donnarumma really loves Milan he should not put Milan in this situation, especially knowing Milan’s financial situation!
As far as I have heard, Mbappe told PSG, he does not intend to sign an extention and wants to leave at the latest when his contract expires in 2022, giving PSG a chance to sell during the Summer of 2021.
This is what a decent person does – and especially one who claims to love his club!
@Roy
Excellently put too.
It shouldn’t be used as a scapegoat. As Spain were the better side + they did play well against Italy in the Euros too. R.Mancini will know that he has to come up with a more effective way of playing Spain. But that doesn’t condone the booing + it was still disappointing to hear. Because if people want some perspective, then 1 “lacklustre” loss doesn’t take away from a 37-match unbeaten run, which included being crowned European Champions after what had been the most embarrassing failure in Italy’s national footballing history!
Donnarumma is one of the reason’s for that success. You expect a hostile reception from opposing fans but not from your own while playing for your country? So, of course they can boo if they want, but if that’s the “support” they show then they’d have been better off staying at home. I hate the way modern club football has gone. But it say’s more about those fans, if they’re willing to put club loyalties above the national team to such an extent! Even the English commentator’s were laughing at it’s fickle nature. When the fans were united behind Italy in the 2nd half, then they managed to put in a good showing under the circumstances. Cause at 1/2 time, it looked like it could get nasty, maybe 3 or 4 nil, but Donnarumma made some good saves in the 2nd half + Italy almost got back into it. Imagine what they could’ve done without the strange “toxic” atmosphere? Everything is energy, so if you want to project it in a negative way at one of your own, then good luck with that, but don’t be surprised when it does affect the player + team + contribute’s to a disjointed performance in some small way. They could’ve done without it, that’s all!
@ Tony Because football is completely pointless if the players have no loyalty to the clubs. What is a football club without the players? If the players keep changing every 5 minutes there is no football club. It’s a brand name with a bit of history. There is no other connection.
Agnelli said that research shows that increasingly young fans follow players not clubs. That’s how much damage people like Donnarumma and Raiola are doing to the sport.
People rightly call him a mercenary, and like actual mercenaries, you can’t build a society or any kind of structure around them. It’s a particularly sensitive point for Milan because we were used to seeing the same faces for so long. This gave the club an identity and created connection with the fans. They didn’t even need to be superstars. Just players that played week in/week out and gradually created a coherent and winning team.
The real shame is out of all the players that came through at Milan at the same time as Donnarumma – an entire Azzurri midfield of Locatelli, Cristante and Pessina, and someone like Cutrone who still declares his love for the club, none of them were treated as well and supported like Donnarumma. He probably benefited from Galliani only ever wanting to sign strikers but he got his break despite some pretty average performances. And it allowed him to grow to become a pretty decent keeper.
And after years of fighting to return to the Champions League, and bending over backwards for him, he leaves, for free, for pretty much no reason. So not only are the fans right to boo him, they did everyone a favour. He’ll no doubt carry and play for 10 different clubs in 10 years with his own Instagram following, but the point is made. People like him will be the death of football.
Milanisti can only boo him when Italia was trophy-less.
After the EURO success, they can only boo their club financial inability.
Because EURO proves Donnarumma really deserved better.
From an 1/4 decade Interista.
Likening an internal matter and love lost between a player and his fans to a nation disrespecting other nations, or even worse : racism lol
Looks like some Italian media publishers like Alessandro Barbano were very drunk last night hahaha
Dude, don’t drink too much before an Italy match when you have to write an article after.
@ House Party
“So, of course they can boo if they want, but if that’s the “support” they show then they’d have been better off staying at home.”
The match was taking place in “OUR HOME”. If they didn’t want a hostile environment towards one player (not Italy, but that one player) they should have moved the venue since they knew full well this would happen.
Let this be a warning sign to anybody concerned, because he will get the same treatment here even 10 years from now. Dollarumma and his fat, pig of an agent is everything that’s wrong with football.
The papers should direct more of their energy towards the acting captain picking up two silly yellow cards in the first half.
And comparing Milan supporters jeering Donnarumma to Fiorentina supporters racially abusing Koulibaly is absolutely stupid.
Milan is not your home, it’s a city in Italy, and when Italy plays we demand respect and encouragement from all the fans, You never boo a national team and then try to justify this in forums who would respect that. our ego? Also I have followed Italy since 80’s and only recently have Spain attracted any attention and there are reasons why that we cannot put here . To say that Spain played Italy out of the park is ludricous, if Italy played like the pas last 20 mins we would have won that thing, instead we faced a team that is capricious with accolades of antics, rolling on the pitch, ref bias, we see this every time we play this team , yes the team plays well but its their antics (in one tourney they were laughing as they watched Pirlo and Gattuso who were out of the game crying in the stands, Spain is known for antics!)that always prevail where sometimes we win. You want to win? Just get players like Chiesa, scour the country for this sort of player and we will be fine for 10 years! Now he even assist, someone told him to not always hog and man he scores assist tracks back
@ Jarod KNowles
A lot of ifs and buts in there but no substance. Take your conspiracy theories elsewhere. Nobody booed the national team, they booed one person (their former player), deal with it!
And Milan is a city in Italy which is our home. You don’t want jeers for Dollarumma move it somewhere else, but I’ll bet you he’ll get booed everywhere in Italy regardless. That’s his life now, he better gets used to it.
Yeah, right.
You think he will get booed in Naples (he’s from Castellammare di Stabia) or at the San Nicola di Bari, Parma?
Let’s see in the 3rd Place match in Torino.
As if other Italians are going to fight the petty battles of butthurt Milanisti.
Vattena a Zappare!
@Jarod KNowles you don’t know or understand Calcio, do you?
Donaruma left Milan for Paris to earn more money for himself and his agent , and if y’all choose to believe the ambition story then it’s your choice, and nobody said Milan owned him, but he choose to leave on zero so he can secure a maximum wages and commission for his agent , what a real man will do his pay back the people who made you by making sure they get a fee on your contract, that is moral value, you guys don’t understand this ? I’m sure you guys understand why the fans are angry ,so is either all of you are pretending or you are just stupid