He’s
always been a Milanista. It was always his dream to play for Milan. So when
Milan came calling, it was perfect… almost. If only his father had lived long
enough to see him wear the jersey. But Acerbi thinks about him all the time,
and is sure he is smiling from above, thrilled that his son has finally
achieved his dream. Francesco Acerbi, meet your destiny.
 |
| Still transitioning from tourist to teammate |
Francesco
Acerbi grew up in the Lombardy region, and was always a Milanista, much to the
disappointment, I’m sure, of his father, who was an Interista. Acerbi played
his youth career and the first years of his senior career with then Serie C2
team Pavia. He made one appearance for Serie D side Renate while on loan in
2007, and then spent the entire 2007-08 season on loan to then Serie B side
Spezia, where he made zero appearances. He then stayed with Pavia through the
2009-10 season. From 2006-2010, he made a total of 48 appearances for Pavia.
For
the 2010-11 season, he was transferred to Serie B side Reggina, where he was
finally a starter, making 40 appearances for the club and even scoring 2 goals.
This sent him up to Serie A the following year, transferring to Chievo in a
deal that ironically sent Kevin Constant to Genoa at the same time. However, he
wasn’t a starter at Chievo, and in January, his agent was looking for a way
back to Serie A so he could get playing time. It had been a rough 6 months,
considering that his father passed away in November, and Acerbi just wanted to
play. He didn’t have to go to another team, though, as he finally began to get
playing time for Chievo in January, racking up a total of 17 appearances and
one goal for the Flying Donkeys, all in this calendar year.
 |
| This Flying Donkey was benched for the first half of the season |
And
so, with his father’s passing still raw in his heart, his dream team, AC Milan
came calling and offered him a contract this summer. Ironically, Kevin Constant
once again moved in the same deal, this time from Genoa to Milan. Hopefully
they will both bring each other luck. And despite having forced his dad to take
him to the San Siro when he was a boy to see Milan, Acerbi believes that his
father would be pleased that he has finally reached his destiny.
The
tall (1.92m or 6’ 3 ½”) center back has been welcomed at Milan, despite having
very little Serie A experience, particularly since we lost our two best center
backs this summer. While reviews are mixed so far with his performances during
the summer friendlies, Acerbi, who just turned 24 last Friday, seems like a
promising relatively younger talent that just might fill a desperate need we
have in defense. And if his confidence continues to grow as it has already in
just a few games, he will likely find a lot of relieved Milan fans cheering his
name.
 |
| Bonus points for good character |
He
seems like one of the nicest, most genuine guys around, saying he doesn’t have
a girlfriend right now and doesn’t like to stay out late or party because he’s
focusing on football (ladies, take note!) But his character shone through this
past season in a Chievo-Palermo match. The score was 4-4, it was the final
moments, and he convinced the referee to change a decision, awarding a corner
kick to Palermo when he had originally given a goal kick to Chievo. This
display of fair play, despite the potential cost to his team, won him the Cartellino Viola, or Purple Card award,
for fair play in Serie A, which he was awarded in July.
The
big question is will his choice of numbers help him or doom him? He had wanted
the number 15, which was already taken, and so instead chose Nesta’s number 13,
confessing that Nesta was an inspirational player to him. But will the number
weigh heavy on him, or will he receive a little extra help from the greatness
associated with it? Only time will tell.
 |
| A Milanista for Milan |
Certainly,
Acerbi has reached his lifelong dream of playing for Milan. He thinks of his
father all of the time and wants to make him proud. He is perhaps one of the
happiest signings of the summer, happy to be wearing the Rossoneri colors. And
yet he is levelheaded and hardworking, too. Today he could see his first cap
for the Italian national team, another dream come true for him. And despite the
pressure, he is anxious to be our dream come true, too. Benvenuto, Acerbi. We are all hoping that you truly have
met your destiny.
This post inspired by the music of
Nitzer Ebb
Our next match is the Trofeo Berlusconi
Milan vs. Juventus
Sunday, August 19 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)
Stadio San Siro, Milano