This post should be about a football match, but instead, the
focus has turned sharply to one man. Yesterday, according to multiple sources,
Berlusconi said that Allegri was going to Roma, and that it would be announced
following the game on Sunday. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that he said it
jokingly. But is it a joke? Or is it just another slap in the face to a man who
has been criticized and confirmed all year long? It is well known that the
outcome of this match, and thus our season could affect his future, so if it is
true, it will not come as a surprise, either. But the crime is that once again,
Berlusconi has taken precious focus away from the team and the game. What a
shame if it really is to be Allegri’s last stand.
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| "I never promised you a mezz'ala" |
Which focuses back on Allegri. How many games can we look
back and see where his choices and lineups cost us points? Just one more point,
and we wouldn’t be in this precarious situation. But it is what it is. We just
have to hope that his inexplicable luck carries through this last 90 minutes.
Then, whether he stays or if the rumors are true, hope that he has actually
learned something at Milan these past three years. (For example, don’t hire on
at a club with morally questionable management… or maybe at least this level of
morally questionable management.)
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| Will suit-with-baseball-cap-man be on the hot seat like Allegri, with Siena having been relegated? |
But I digress. Siena have gone out in flames, losing their
last five games straight to Chievo, Roma, Catania, Fiorentina, and Napoli.
Although at least away against Napoli, they went up early, and succumbed only
on Cavani & Hamsik’s late heroics in the 73rd and 93rd minutes and could
leave the San Paolo with their heads held up high. Which isn’t good news for
us. With their motto being “robur” or
“strength,” I have a feeling they would love to leave Serie A with a bang,
defeating a giant like Milan, even if we have been knocked down a few sizes
this season.
There’s also the matter of the legendary Zé Eduardo.
Remember the guy who refused to have a trial for Allegri last year, as he
thought it was beneath him? Having been shipped back to Genoa, he has actually
been on loan to Siena…. where he has not been featuring for the relegated team.
(See, Allegri got something right!) The jokes just write themselves. So,
without perhaps the player with the biggest ego, Iachini will also possibly be
without Matheu, Vergassola, and Pozzi, all due to injuries. His team that
troubled Napoli played without them, though. His lineup included: Pegolo;
Felipe, Terzi, Terlizzi; Vitiello, Calello, Della Rocca, Bolzoni, Grillo;
Emeghara, and Agra. And if they troubled Napoli away, who’s to say they won’t
trouble us in their own house? (resists using another
afraid-of-Bergonzi-reference here.)
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| "Wait, which Bianconeri team was I supposed to favor? Oops." |
Back in the
house that Berlusconi built, Allegri and his Three
Stooges midfield are hoping for Montolivo to become fit in time for Sunday
(which is not known as of this writing.) It seems that despite pushing out a
certain creative midfielder in his first season, he is finally linking his
results with the absence or presence of version 2.0 of that same player. (Or at
least so many others are.) He also has Ambrosini, who looked a little shaky
last week, but usually comes up big in big games, so I would put my faith in
him. Of course, one of the Three Stooges, in comedic (or tragic comedic) form,
got a red card with an extra match ban this past week vs. Roma, so will not be
available on Sunday or the first match of next year. (Looking at you, Sulley
Muntari.)
Then there is the ever-lingering question of where Allegri
will play Boateng. I am hoping after Boateng’s impersonation of Allegri on hisGoogle hangout this week, Allegri will relegate Boateng to the midfield. But
then again, Allegri may not have had time to see the hangout if he was being
hounded by the press in regards to his future. So we’re probably stuck with his
tried-but-not-working Boateng-Balotelli-El Shaarawy front line. But the other
strikers don’t have to worry, because if we are drawing or losing, they will
all get subbed on within the last 10-15 minutes. Because that also hasn’t
worked. (sigh.)
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| Will Balotelli's new haircut bring him a "Lucky" hat trick? |
The defense is something that has worked fairly well with
few exceptions. With Abate a new papa again this week, it’s hard to know if
he’ll start, but De Sciglio’s killer crosses & Constant’s amazing dribbling
will dominate the wings. And Mexes and Zapata seem to be working quite well as
a pairing, with Abbiati earning a contract renewal each match behind them. I
really don’t worry as much about them anymore, it’s mainly the midfield that
gives me nightmares.
But what worries me most is Allegri’s stubbornness. In the
end is it going to cost us Champions League for next year? Like General Custer at the
Battle of Little Bighorn, will his stubbornness impact our history? Or will
he live to coach another year at Milan or maybe another club through luck and
the hard work of others? I was anticipating a football match between two teams,
a battle to the final whistle with so much on the line. But now my sleep is
tormented and interrupted by images of only one man. And I wonder if Sunday will
be Allegri’s last stand?
This post inspired by the music of
The Cure’s “Seventeen Seconds” album
Siena vs. Milan
Sunday, May 19 • 20:45 CEST (2:45 EDT)
This match will be shown LIVE on RAI in the U.S.
(check comments for stream links before kickoff)