In September, Milan pulled off a miracle. Despite terrible
form in the league and an
injury list that would make Milan Lab doctors drool, we pulled off a 2-0
victory over Celtic. Even more miraculous were the goals: they came
from Zapata and Muntari, of all people. But maybe being the underdogs was what
propelled us to victory. This time, we go to the passionate and fierce
environment of Celtic Park, with Celtic in even better form, even if we have
more points in our Champions League group than they do. But our injury list is
hardly what it was last time, so I don’t know if that underdog magic will help
us this time. And with the Curva Sud threatening and insulting the players
during the match on Saturday, the boys could come out swinging or be even more
demoralized, it’s hard to tell. Foshizzle.
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| Snoop changes clubs almost as often as he changes his name. |
As I mentioned in the preview
back in September, Celtic have a very special fan in Snoop Dogg Lion
-zilla. Yeah, things have changed since September. He was still Snoop Lion
then, but now, he’s all funked up. Foshizzle. And things have changed with
Celtic, too. They were second in the table then, but now they are top of the
table in the Scottish Premier League, 5 points ahead of Inverness. But in our
Champions League Group H, they are bottom of the table on 3 points. With Milan
only 2 points ahead of them, a win at Celtic Park for them could see them
leapfrog us for second place. So I have a feeling they are planning to funk us
up. Foshizzle.
Celtic are coming off of a 3-1 win Saturday vs. Aberdeen
that saw two stoppage time goals earn them all three points. Lennon lined up
Forster; Izaguirre, Ambrose, van Dijk, Fisher; Brown, Commons, Ledley, Mulgrew;
Samaras, and Pukki. He has a few long term injuries in Twardzik, Matthews, and
Mouyokolo, but will likely have midfielder Forrest back for tomorrow. Certainly
with the prospect of jumping up to second place with only one game left to play
in the group after losing to both Milan and Ajax away, they will look to use
their Snoopzilla powers and punish us in their house. Foshizzle.
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| One is tactically articulate, one simply likes to gesticulate. |
It doesn’t take much to punish Milan these days. In fact,
we’ve begun punishing ourselves, even our Ultras
have turned against us. However, Celtic may have Snoopzilla and his
love of all things green on their side, but I am also West Coast, and my
favorite colors are red and black. And me and my entourage don’t change clubs
or names, so maybe our loyalty will bring Milan the magic we need. Heaven knows
we need help of every kind. Foshizzle.
The latest injuries are Mexes and Muntari. Mexes has some
odd condition which can cause visual impairment due to fluid under his retina
in his eye. So he’ll miss Celtic and likely Catania. Muntari has a muscle
injury and has been ruled out for Celtic, pending further tests to determine
his injury length. Add that to Amelia’s knee surgery on Friday that leaves him
out for a month and Zaccardo’s injury, and we still don’t have the injury list
we had in September. However, Amelia’s injury and Gabriel’s exclusion from the
Champion’s League list means that if Abbiati gets injured, we’d see Coppola
play vs. Celtic and/or Ajax. That would be funked up. So pack the big guy in bubble wrap and don’t let
him out until kickoff. Foshizzle.
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| Without Mexes, we'll need a bunch of Zapata magic again |
There has been talk of El Shaarawy being fit for Celtic, but
even if he was, would Allegri play him? Although he does have a starting
midfield spot now that Muntari is injured… nah, he’ll likely go with Nocerino
there, even if he has only just started training with the team again after a
calf injury. As for the rest of the squad, the formation, and tactics, I am
done guessing with this man. Are we sure he’s not a woman? No, even women are
more predictable and follow more logic. Certainly, we are better at reading a
game and assessing situations. Okay, then. Whatever the sad, strange little man
says. That will be the lineup. Foshizzle.
I am prepared for 90+ minutes of whatever our sinking Rossoneri ship has to dish out tomorrow.
I have a little more faith in that with Champions
League in our DNA, we tend to perform a little better in these matches. (remembers Ajax… cries… reaches for comfort
food…) Okay, I have no expectations. But I still think Snoopzilla chose the
wrong jersey. Especially after having the right one before. What the funk? So
come what may, I got this West Coast thing covered for you, Milan. It’s all my
bleeding heart knows. Foshizzle.
This post inspired by the music of
Snoopzilla’s “7 Days of Funk” album
Champions League Group Stage
Celtic vs. AC Milan
Tuesday, November 26 • 20:45 CET (2:45 EST)
This game is being broadcast LIVE on Fox Soccer Plus in the US
Join me on Twitter during the match @milanobsession
UEFA Youth League
Celtic U19 vs. Milan Primavera
Tuesday, November 26 • 16:00 CET (10am EST)