This
is normally where I would write a preview of our last game of the season. And I
was completely committed to doing that, even though the outcome has no effect
on the results of either club – Milan have secured 2nd place, and Novara are
mathematically relegated to Serie B. But then the announcements came, one after
another, an avalanche in my heart, legends who are leaving, and so many amazing
memories. Tomorrow will be their last match in the Rossoneri jerseys. And so I
realized that nothing else matters.
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| So much win. |
Novara made a great last ditch attempt to avoid relegation, with wins against Cesena and Lazio in their last 4 matches. But it wasn’t enough for Attilio Tesser’s squad. So tomorrow, they will be saying goodbye, too, goodbye to Serie A. Saying goodbye. Nothing else matters.
I
could tell you about who played in their last match on Sunday against Cesena.
Marco Rigoni scored a hat trick for their 3-0 win, scoring two penalties along
the way. The complete squad was Coser, Centurioni, Lisuzzo, Pesce, Garcia,
Morganella, Mascara, Rogoni, Porcari, Jeda, and Caracciolo. It might also be
wise to point out that Mascara is suspended and will thus miss our match. But
really, nothing else matters.
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| Exquisite beauty. |
What
could matter is if and when our legends will take the pitch for a farewell.
Nesta and possibly Seedorf, if he plays, are the most likely to play 90
minutes. It is rumored that Nesta will wear the captain’s armband, and I hope
this is true. I would bet on a Gattuso start, and possibly Pippo, but with subs
planned. I don’t know if Zambrotta is even fit, and he is rumored to be leaving
too, so it would nice for him to be able to get a few minutes, too.
Also
rumored to be leaving, but undecided as of this writing is van Bommel. My theory
is that he is waiting to announce so as not to take anything away from the
farewell of the legends, because that’s just the kind of guy he is.
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| The essence of Milan |
There
are a number of other players rumored to be leaving or with contracts up. In
fact, rumors of Pato to PSG have resurfaced this week, and it was rumored he
may play a few minutes tomorrow. For me, if he does, that will be telling. If
we don’t see him, I think the intent will be to keep him.
Thiago
Silva was rumored not to play again, as he is trying to be 100% fit for the
Olympics this summer. Don’t believe any other rumors you hear about him. Even
if they were true, right now, nothing else matters.
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| The heart of Milan |
Abate
is suspended for this match due to card accumulation, so if De Sciglio’s ankle
has healed, perhaps he will play. Abbiati is still injured, Amelia will almost
undoubtedly start in his place. Bonera and Muntari both sustained injuries on
Sunday, Bonera will almost undoubtedly be unavailable, Muntari is a
possibility.
If
we are sending Aquilani back to Liverpool, I hope he gets to start, as his
appearance in one more match will not invoke the automatic buyout clause in his
contract. And if we are going to send Maxi Lopez back to Catania because of his
price tag, I think he deserves a start.
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| Elegant strength |
Ibra
can have a rest or he can play, but maybe not 90 minutes, just to be sure
everyone else gets to play. Cassano really needs to play 90 minutes so he is
ready for Euros, I hope Allegri will do this for him. I could try making a
lineup, but honestly, I have no idea how Allegri will handle this one. He has
never been one to show much sentiment, but I hope he has a heart and lets us
see everyone one last time. We should win this, keep a clean sheet, and send
our legends off in style, but at the end of the day, saying goodbye at all is
the most important thing. Nothing else matters.
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| Humbly devoted |
I
know I will wake up way too early for this match, but I am a sentimental fool,
and cannot imagine sleeping through the farewell party. It’s not as if the
players will know if I watched it live or if I watched it delayed, or even if I
watched it at all. But my heart will know, and sleep will wait while I say an
admittedly very tearful goodbye to the men who are legends and heroes to me.
Nothing else matters.
Milan vs. Novara
Sunday, May 13th • 15:00 CEST (9am EDT)
This match will be broadcast only on ESPN3 in the U.S.
This post inspired by the music of
Metallica