"Hell is empty, all the devils are here!" The stunning tifo unfurled by fans ahead of last Wednesday's Champions League derby with Inter should have been the defining image of AC Milan's week. Instead, it was the remarkable sight of Stefano Pioli and his players being lectured by an ultra on Saturday evening as they silently stood in front of the away section at Stadio Alberto Picco.
Were they being threatened or encouraged? Pioli and club president Paolo Scaroni both insist it was the latter, and there was a very public show of support from another set of fans at Milanello the very next day. However, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is clearly not so sure, having already opened an investigation into the impromptu pep talk after the Spezia setback.
What's already clear, though, is that Milan's campaign is on the brink of complete collapse...