AC Milan fans invaded and crowded into the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio for the funeral of Franco Baresi, AC Milan's legendary captain .
Already hours before the funeral began, hundreds of people had gathered, with the red and black flag with the number 6 – the one that has always dominated the Curva Sud – waving amid applause and chants from the fans: “There is only one captain.” Now there are thousands of them.
A standing ovation greeted the arrival of Paolo Maldini and Marco Van Basten, joined by Mauro Tassotti, Pietro Paolo Virdis, Giovanni Galli, and Daniele Massaro . Dozens of former AC Milan players were present, including Alberico Evani, Filippo Galli, Angelo Colombo, and Marco Simone. Coach Nevio Scala was also present, as was Riccardo Montolivo, a former AC Milan player who never played with Baresi. The other clubs also paid tribute, with several delegations and presidents in attendance, including Cairo and Marotta. The heads of the FIGC and Lega Serie A were also present.
A large banner was displayed by the Milan Curva Sud in the building in front of the basilica: "Immortal legend, inimitable flag that will never stop waving. Goodbye Captain."
Among those in attendance was AC Milan's new CEO Massimo Calvelli, but there was no shortage of controversy over the team's absence, as they were on tour in Australia . So much so that deafening boos were heard upon the arrival of owner and president Gerry Cardinale and Paolo Scaroni . This was not only due to the team's failure to return to Milan, but also due to the disappointing results of recent years: some fans chanted "go away," and numerous boos were directed at the management. Cardinale was even told, "You shouldn't have come" at the end of the ceremony. Mayor Beppe Sala was also booed .
At the end of the funeral, his teammates Demetrio Albertini, Alessandro Costacurta, Pietropaolo Virdis, Massimo Ambrosini, Marco Simone, and Alberico Evani were the pallbearers . A long applause followed, followed by a few moments of silence, followed by the raising of Rossoneri scarves and chants of "you'll always be with us," "there's only the captain." The family was moved, while, along with everyone present at the church, former teammates, representatives of institutions and other clubs gathered around the coffin in the square in front of the basilica, applauding and observing the tributes of thousands of fans.
