When we last met Livorno with a Livorno native for our
manager, we drew the match, 2-2, and we ended up in 8th place. So here we are
again in 8th place, but this time they’re coming to our house. And Allegri is
long gone. However, they sit in 18th place in the relegation zone, so this time
around, they could be trouble. Just like you were taught to never play with
fire, you should never underestimate a team at the bottom, it’s dangerous.
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| Paulinho: "Excuse me, a little help here?" |
Livorno have since changed managers as well, with Domenico
Di Carlo currently steering the sinking ship. Their record is 6 wins, 7 draws,
and 20 losses, having most recently fallen 4-2 at the hands of Chievo and a hat
trick from our very own Paloschi. So I doubt they are in any mood to concede
any more goals this week.
For that match, Di Carlo lined up Bardi; Castellini,
Valentini, Coda; Piccini, the legendary Djamel Mesbah, Greco, Benassi,
Biagianti; Betanin, and Siligardi. However he will be missing Biagianti to
suspension, and is still without the injured Mbaye and Luci. Watch out for that
Mesbah particularly, he’s the definition of trouble.
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| Last time we faced Livorno, he scored twice. Can he be trouble for them again? |
Meanwhile, Milan saw De Sciglio and Muntari return to
training, with Petagna and El Shaarawy training with the Primavera squad (but
very unlikely to be called up for the first team.) He will still be missing
Essien and Amelia, and Honda is still doubtful with his ankle injury.
With morale coming out of their ears after winning four straight,
I hope we don’t get caught up in pride or underestimate how much trouble this
team can be. Yet I am still hoping to make it five straight wins, and maybe an
improvement in performance, too. Especially if it helps the media stop making
up ridiculous rumors about Milan.
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| His middle name is dangerous |
But a win against Livorno for me would also be a nice Easter
gift and also an important palate-cleansing in the post-Allegri era. It was so
inconceivable to draw with 18th-place Livorno in December under Allegri, but
coming into this match in the same position, I hope Seedorf realizes just how
dangerous this match can be.
This post inspired by the music of
Frank Sinatra
Milan vs. Livorno
Saturday, April 19th • 15:00 CEST (9am EDT)
This match is NOT being shown Live in the US
Check comments for stream links ahead of the match