If anyone still thinks that we played
as poorly vs. Fiorentina last week as we did last year, I’d like to
submit Exhibit A: tonight’s game. Aside from two beautiful goals, the team
played really horribly. And those goals not only gave us the victory, but were
the only thing setting this team apart from last year’s team. Much worse than
we played away last week, results aside, and so very disappointing. There isn’t
much to say but that it was an ugly win.
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| Three points, two goals, and not a lot more |
Mihajlovic had warned us that we were going for results, not
beautiful football, but even he did not seem happy about the way we played at
all. And I can’t blame him. This team looked nothing like the team we saw in
the summer or even last week. The goals aside, the only positive I can find in
the match was that not a single Milan player got carded. But that was probably
because very few players fought hard enough to earn one. I preferred us last
week playing 60 minutes on 10 men, because at least all 10 players played like
men.
But there were a couple of beautiful moments. Like in the
16th minute, when Adriano sent a beautiful ball forward from the other half to
Chewie (Bacca), who was between two defenders and just burst forward dribbling
toward goal, and despite Skorupski’s best efforts, sent
it screaming in to open the scoring. 1-0 Milan. And if his goal was
explosive and exciting, his celebration was humble and inspiring, as he simply
acknowledged his god and his family, then hugged his teammates. While at the
other end, Diego Lopez erupted in a giant cheer, probably just excited that
someone else on the team had done something concrete in the game besides him.
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| He certainly played with heart |
Of course, Lopez was unfortunately bested just four minutes
later, when De Sciglio didn’t control his pass to him, and Maccarone sent it in
to Saponara, who easily beat a sleeping defense and a De Jong that couldn’t quite
catch him to equalize in the 20th. 1-1. Saponara didn’t really celebrate,
although he did point… probably to Galliani, the most hated man of the night. I
can imagine Saponara dedicating that goal to him.
After bringing the new signing Kucka on for the Noce at
halftime, who had sadly been better than his counterpart, Bertolacci, and then
subbing Bonaventura on for Suso ten minutes later, things seemed to stabilize a
little bit. But that’s not saying much. At least Mihajlovic gets credit for
bringing on Bonaventura, as it was his corner kick that Adriano
masterfully headed in in the 69th to make it 2-1 Milan. Adriano did
very well the whole match, he was even WhoScored’s MOTM. Finally, in the 83rd,
Bertolacci had picked up a knock and was holding his shoulder, so Poli came on
for him, meaning no Balotelli tonight.
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| Lethal. |
So two steps backwards, or maybe a lot more. With more
talent and over €80m spent this summer we are up two goalscorers, but playing
just as badly as last year. That is never good. Particularly when you consider
the Derby is just after the international break. And if that doesn’t depress
you enough, the close of the mercato is Monday, meaning Kucka may well have
been Galliani’s big Galliani Day™ signing. No idea how he really improves the
team, other than having a name that is fun to make fun of in other languages.
And that’s about as positive as it gets this time. Well, okay, I’ll give you
that the question of Adriano & Chewie being able to partner or score has
been answered. But there’s nothing else to smile about when you manage the ugly
win.
This post inspired by the music of
NIN’s “Terrible Lie”
Our next match is a friendly
Mantova vs. Milan
Thursday, September 3 • 19:00 CEST (1pm EDT)