Milan-Parma Preview: Nightmares

I never used to fear Parma, at least not in recent years. But after Parolo broke Milan hearts and stole all three points from us in stoppage time in October, and now their 15 game unbeaten run, this match is giving me nightmares. Names and images haunt me, like Cassano, Amauri, Parolo, Biabiany, and more. And given the ultimate disappointment Milan faced this week by crashing out of the Champions League, it’s hard to have any kind of faith as to how the team will perform tomorrow.

Worse than the monster under the bed

Former Milan player Donadoni has finally got Parma on a spectacular run of form. Currently in 6th place, only one point behind Inter, they are far more likely to achieve European qualification for next season than Milan are. What’s worse is that the never-forget-to-burn-all-of-your-bridges traitor Cassano is leading their attack with nine goals and five assists this season. This one has the potential to hurt. Bad.

In their most recent 2-0 win over Verona, Donadoni lined up Mirante; Cassani, Lucarelli, Gobbi, Paletta; Gargano, Parolo, Marchionni; Biabiany, Palladino, and Cassano. Only Paletta is suspended for this match, their squad surprisingly seems to have no injuries. Although I can say that our young Vergara, who is on loan there, does not seem to have been getting called up, so maybe that’s one nightmare we can avoid.

That face would give anyone nightmares, but he's always troubled Milan

Seedorf’s nightmares are only beginning as he puts more and more responsibility on the situation he inherited and defends his methods and mentality. But it is going to take an extraordinary miracle for him to come out of this one with a win. With back to back league losses and the Champions League loss, Milan are trying to dig themselves out of quite the hole. Facing Parma is like digging oneself out of a mountain.

The good news is that our injury list has slowly decreased. El Shaarawy is still out, as are Cristante and Petagna. De Sciglio is unfortunately suspended due to card accumulation, so don’t be waiting to see a lot of youth tomorrow. Balotelli was in doubt with a thigh injury, but returned to full training yesterday, so should be available for Seedorf.

Does he have what it takes to free Milan from our nightmares?

The problem is who will mentally be available? The Curva have written a letter and planned a protest against the club and players they feel don’t belong at Milan. And their criticisms are weak compared to criticisms from ex-Milan players, media, and fans worldwide. Nothing like being kicked while down. So now we are back where we started before Seedorf’s arrival, with awful results and everyone taking sucker punches. Will Seedorf and his sports psychologist be able to find the mental strength to overcome these obstacles? Will the 12th man show up at the San Siro to give the team morale? Or will they, too, give the players nightmares?

I hope the team can find a way to rise above it all and show us the team that played vs. Sampdoria and Juve and the first leg of Atleti. They say that when the going get tough, the tough get going, and the red and black men of my dreams are very tough. Although there were those guys in gold that gave me nightmares…

This post inspired by the music of The Sex Pistols

Milan vs. Parma

Sunday, March 16 • 15:00 CET (10am EDT)

This match will be shown LIVE on BeIN Sport and RAI in the U.S.

Check here for stream links ahead of the match