The game was so early for me that when I saw cameras pan to
Rizzoli holding a knife and looking at it strangely, it didn’t compute. But
when I saw the banana, it became too obvious: Atalanta fans were taking a game
in which their team had nothing to play for and giving it meaning. If by
meaning, they thought that putting their hat in the ring for the worst fans of
the season in a season where we saw some truly horrifying things, than yeah.
They threw at least one knife and reportedly two bananas on the pitch, showing
the world that Serie A fans are much worse than La Liga fans, or maybe fans of
any other major league. Your team may have scored all 3 goals today, but no one
cares about that, Atalanta fans. It’s not even about the game anymore, is it?
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| Welcome back, il Faraone! We missed you |
The game itself was like a minefield of awful with momentary
brilliant explosions. Seedorf did go back to the 4-3-1-2 system that he used
vs. Inter, and I’m not sure what to think. On paper, we had 20 shots, with 2 on
goal, but it looked like our attack was much less efficient than in Seedorf’s
initial system. And by allowing Atalanta 17 shots with 3 on goal, it’s not as
if the more defensive formation helped us on the other end, either. I’d read
after the Derby that Seedorf said he knew the 4-3-1-2 was a favorite of
Berlusconi’s, so if this was his attempt to appease His Majesty, I think it may
have backfired, as his unattractive football was downright ugly today.
Looking for positives, even if it still wasn’t about the
football, we saw the return of El Shaarawy after the half, who came on for
Honda, who had been very ineffective at the trequartista role today. Il Faraone
looked a bit rusty, but his explosive runs had been sorely missed and were
definitely a sight for sore eyes. Such a shame that his return to action was
marred by the horrific actions of just a few fans. The other positive for Milan
fans was that the referee did not allow Milan to wear the new yellow kit for
next year, but again, not about the football.
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| Perfectly placed, one beautiful moment in a very ugly game |
As for the football part, besides being pretty awful,
Bellini’s brilliant own goal from a Muntari cross in the 51st opened up the
scoring, 1-0 Milan. He’s not going to live that one down anytime soon. Then
Constant’s clumsy attempt to stop Carmona in the 66th ended up as a late
whistle Rizzoli special, also known as a penalty, which Denis stepped up and
converted in the 68th, 1-1 all. I’m not sure how many bananas were thrown in
all or exactly the timing, but I believe Constant’s error was not long after a
banana was thrown at him. Not that he’s not been clumsy at other times, but it
sucks to think that a stupid act of hatred could have impacted the match like
that.
Mexes mixed it up with Raimondi in the 69th for which they
were both given cards for, not exactly breaking news there, but indicative of
the tension throughout the match. Then Seedorf brought on Taarabt for Muntari
in the 76th, one explosive attacking player for a player who likes to attack
and explode. Then he brought on Pazzini for Kaka in the 80th, more fresh legs
in attack, but whose efforts were not effective. Stoppage time brought a shot
from Balotelli that hit the post, and then a yellow for Taarabt in the 93rd.
But the most beautiful moment of the game came in the dying seconds, and was
not as beautiful for Milan as it was for Atalanta: Brienza’s beautiful strike
from 30-40 yards out that curled just perfectly into the top left corner of the
net to seal the game for Atalanta, 2-1. Heart stopping and heartbreaking all at
once, at least Atalanta could say that they truly won a game they fought all 95
minutes for.
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| "Are you implying I don't get enough potassium?" |
But too bad their fans left everyone with such a bad taste
in their mouth. While Milan fans should be talking about the return of El
Shaarawy and Atalanta should be talking about Brienza’s exquisite strike for
the three points, we are all talking about the filth of humanity who marred the
beautiful game… again. About how Serie A fans keep ruining matches and
continuing to destroy the reputation of Serie A and make it a showcase for the
worst that man has to offer. Milan are unfortunately technically still in the
running for a Europa League spot after other results today left Galliani a hope
and a prayer. And rumors of a Seedorf exit are stronger now with the loss, too.
But still, the storyline has been hijacked once again. Not even about the game.
This post inspired by the music of NIN’s “Mr. Self
Destruct”
Our last match of the season is
Milan vs. Sassuolo
Sunday, May 18th • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)