This was realistically our best chance at winning a match
for the rest of this season. Even if statistically based on Udinese’s recent
form, it was most likely going to be a draw. But Di Natale made his intentions
clear in the first minute that they were after all three points, and he set the
tone for the entire match. Milan seemed like they believed they were
outmatched. And I know that playing away can do that to a team, especially with
such passionate fans as there were in Udine, but this one wasn’t pretty.
 |
| Too little too late |
All hopes that I had for this match being decent or pulling
a result were dashed when I saw the kits. Udinese’s sponsor had summoned up
some bizarre hybrid jersey based on a handball team they also sponsored, and
Udinese looked like their laundry had been inexplicably mixed up with Genoa’s
or something. But I couldn’t even laugh at that because Milan were wearing
those yellow kits. Again. And that level of fail in design could only be
matched by a performance that was not quite as terrible on the pitch.
But the performance wasn’t what we’d hoped for, either.
Udinese pinned us back, fouled us, and then cried wolf better than any actor
who won an Academy Award this year could have. Luckily, Damato did a good job
keeping the match as clean as possible but allowing them to play as well. And
now I have run out of positive things to say.
 |
| In a contest to see whose jerseys were worse, the hair takes a back seat |
Pinzi’s goal in the 58th was scored from a set piece, he was
unmarked at the top of the box and shot through at least three players. 1-0
Udinese. In the 74th, Badu’s goal was from the run of play, the rebound from a
Di Natale shot that Lopez parried away. 2-0 Udinese. On a play that started
from a Milan corner in the 87th, apparently the first one we’d earned all day,
Cerci put in a nice cross for Pazzini, who headed it in to give Milan a
consolation goal, 2-1 Udinese.
Beyond that, there isn’t much else to say. The players were
likely defeated when they saw those yellow kits in the dressing room. Or maybe
they were confused by Udinese’s, knowing they are facing Genoa on Wednesday. They
obviously believed Udinese could beat them, and believing is the most important
thing. Showing up is also important, and I struggle to maintain respect for
fans who fail to show up but still have so much to say about what they didn’t
watch. Especially for those who are just waiting for a miracle.
 |
| If only van Ginkel could have taken 90 more shots, he may have scored one or two |
This was another poor performance from a team that has
fallen from grace, but I watched every painful minute of it. I wish it was
better, I wish a lot of things. But at the end of the day, we all said this season
was a write off last summer, and it’s not fair for any of us to expect anything
more. Watching Milan this season was never going to be a walk in the park. And
this game especially was not for the faint of heart.
This post inspired by the music of The
Cure
Our next match is
Milan vs. Genoa
Wednesday, April 29 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)