Day One of Pre-Season: Milanello Springs Back to Life
The new AC Milan season has kicked off with unmistakable energy. From the very first hours of the morning, Milanello buzzed back to life as the players called up for the official pre-season camp began to arrive. A day packed with emotions, images and significant signals for the entire Rossoneri world.
Gerry Cardinale Arrives by Helicopter: Presence and Proximity to the Squad
The most iconic moment of the day was undoubtedly Gerry Cardinale‘s arrival at Milanello: the RedBird Capital owner landed by helicopter at around 10:30 AM, a gesture that immediately caught the attention of the media and supporters. A clear sign of direct involvement and commitment to the sporting project.
Cardinale watched part of the first training session from the touchline, remaining in close contact with new head coach Sérgio Amorim throughout. He reportedly had lunch with the squad afterwards, sitting next to captain Matteo Gabbia, engaging with the Italian players, the younger members of the group, new signings, and the manager himself. His presence sends a precise message: the owner wants to be an integral part of the project, not a distant figurehead.
It marks a clear change of direction compared to the past, with Cardinale choosing visibility and closeness as his communication tools. Of course, as every Rossoneri fan knows, presence counts — but ultimately, results on the pitch and signings in the transfer market will make the real difference.
Amorim’s Speech: Brief, Direct and Already a Leader
Before kicking off the first training session of the season, the Portuguese manager Sérgio Amorim addressed the group with a short but meaningful speech:
“Guys, you should introduce me to the staff because you know them better than I do. I’m really happy to be here, I’m truly proud of everything. I hope that if you need anything, I’m available for any discussion, even with your teammates, and I will always defend you if you are right. Let’s go, all good? Let’s begin.”
Short, direct, humble and motivating all at once. Words that were also shared on the club’s official channels and have already made an impression on supporters. Amorim presents himself as a manager who wants to build genuine trust with the group, putting himself on the line from day one.
The Pre-Season Squad: Who Was at Milanello
By 8:00 AM, all called-up players had duly reported to the training ground. Here is a breakdown by position:
- Goalkeepers: Baietti, Pittarello, Terracciano Pietro, Torriani
- Defenders: Bartesaghi, Gabbia, Karaca, Pavlović, Terracciano Filippo and other group members
- Midfielders: Fofana, Loftus-Cheek, Musa, Ricci and others
- Forwards: Camarda, Chukwueze, Nkunku, Kostić and other young prospects
Notably, Francesco Camarda stopped outside the training centre to sign autographs and take photos with fans, sporting a new blond look. The young striker, returning from his loan spell at Lecce, is one of the profiles on whom AC Milan is placing great expectations for the upcoming season.
Management in Attendance: Almstad, Gardiner and Calvelli at Milanello
It wasn’t just the players: the morning also saw the presence of several club executives. Almstad, Gardiner and Calvelli all reported to the training centre during the morning session, reinforcing the club’s intention to approach this new season with maximum internal unity and organisation.
A full, emotion-charged day. Amorim’s Milan has officially taken shape, and Milanello is already once again the beating heart of Rossoneri football. Now it’s time to focus on the pitch and the transfer market: the season has just begun — and everything is still to be built and won.
