In the second match of the post-Allegri era, there is a
general sense of optimism ahead of our match tomorrow. Seedorf is back, Il Professore is in charge, all will be
well. That optimism may be a bit unrealistic, as we face the team that put the
first nail in Milan’s coffin this season, the same team who currently sit 6th in the table
while Milan are 11th. But after such an amazing week, I think we are all hoping
to see a game where Hellas freezes over.
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| Watch out, Verona, we've got options now |
Speaking of freezing over, Verona were shut out last weekend
by Napoli, 3-0 in Verona. They have won 10, only drawn 2, and that made their
7th loss of the season, for 32 points, just ten less than Napoli have now. It’s
like the newly promoted side took Milan’s mojo when they drew first blood, and
sit somewhere around where Milan should be. So I guess it’s time to take it
back.
Coach Mandorlini lined up Rafael; Moras, Maietta,
Cacciatore, Agostini; Romulo, Hallfredsson, Jorginho; Toni, Iturbe, and Gomez.
He will be missing Longo up front, and Sala in the midfield, both due to
injury. But the bigger story is the mercato. Jorginho did not train with the
squad on Friday, ahead of his apparently inevitable move to Napoli, for which
he is expected to take the medicals for today. He has been such an important player for them, it is great for us that he could be missing. While this could hurt us a few
games down the road when we play Napoli, for tomorrow it could really be an
advantage.
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| That is one celebration I don't want to see from Numero Uno tomorrow |
Some are calling Milan’s fate on Sunday “the great unknown.”
But most Milan fans would more likely call it “the great I hope.” After visibly
shaking off the Allegri during the Coppa Italia match vs. Spezia midweek, we
are hoping to see the squad take on the awesomeness of newly appointed coach
Seedorf. Whether it be channeling his athleticism, his ability to thread a pass
through a defense like no one else, or just his confidence and ability to win,
this team is definitely ready for some awesomeness. Of course, they are most
likely to just be themselves, but even that will be refreshing, because they
haven’t really been themselves at all this season.
Of course, they could also just play like they have all
season, or make some individual errors or whatever. And Seedorf will now be
missing Pazzini to a new muscle injury, as well as El Shaarawy, of course,
Saponara, Abate, and Constant, all on the injury list. And unfortunately (sarcasm alert), he won’t have the option of
playing Muntari, as he is still serving that suspension. So no one really knows
what to expect. Personally, I am looking for a virtually Dai-free sideline and
hopefully maybe some decent lineups and subs like we saw on Wednesday. Anything
beyond that will be icing on the cake for me. (Although I have always liked the
icing, to be fair.)
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| He's back. Be afraid, Verona. Very afraid. |
Despite our respective positions on the table, I am hoping
for a good match. Without Jorginho, I will be curious to see if Verona have the
same bite, he has been a crucial player for them this year. Maybe him leaving
right now is just the edge Milan need to make a comeback and start tallying up
some points. Whatever the case, it will great to see the return of Seedorf to Milan, and
hope that it is the first of many successes for him, for Milan, and for
football. Let’s hope Hellas freezes over.
This post inspired by the music of
the Kings of Leon
Milan vs. Hellas Verona
Sunday, January 19 • 20:45 CET (2:45 EST)
This match is being shown LIVE on RAI and slightly delayed on BeIn
Sport in the U.S.
Check comments for stream links just ahead of the game