What could be better than playing a lunchtime match on
Valentine’s Day? Playing against Galliani’s greatest love affair, Genoa.
Galliani loves Genoa so much, he shops there like it’s the grocery store. He
loves Genoa so much, he hands them all of Milan’s money as if he were being
held up every mercato. Galliani loves Genoa so much, he spends
quality time with Preziosi, the club’s president. Galliani loves Genoa
so much, he entrusted only them with the loans of Cerci and Suso. So this
Valentine’s day, do spend your day with Milan and Genoa. Because love is in the
air.
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| After all of the abuse from Milan fans, I'm sure this guy would love nothing more than to break our hearts |
Genoa currently sit in 16th place, the area on the table
that has troubled Milan most this season. They also beat
us 1-0 at the beginning of the season when we traveled to the Marassi.
That match, while also a lunchtime fixture, was reffed by the beloved and
legendary Tagliavento. Whereas this time, we will have Calvarese, so perhaps we
have a chance at a fair game. But Genoa have been playing surprisingly well
compared to their form earlier in the season. Their current form is W-D-D-L-D,
with the loss coming against Juventus and two of the draws against Fiorentina
and Lazio. It is also of note that their last win was a 4-0 win over Palermo.
The draw vs. Lazio last week was noteworthy, yet also
costly, as they lost Pavoletti to a hamstring injury. For that fateful match,
Gasperini lined up Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, Munoz; Ansaldi, Suso, Dzemaili,
Rincon, Laxalt; Cerci, and Pavoletti. However, Rincon was carded in that match
and will be suspended for this one due to card accumulation. Additionally,
Gasperini will be missing defender Ansaldi due to injury, but he will have
forward Matavz, on loan from Augsburg, available. Well, and of course Milan
outcasts Cerci and Suso. I’m not even going to say what that means, because
this is supposed to be about love, not heartbreak.
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| There's a spot on the Milan bench that this guy knows all too well, scoring on Sunday would help him forget it |
Mihajlovic is facing a bit of an injury crisis. In addition
to the long term injuries of Mexes, Ely, and Lopez, he will be missing Kucka
“the tank” to injury. Also injured and fighting for match fitness are Adriano,
Bonaventura, and Niang. So maybe this will be the game that Mihajlovic subs
himself on, who knows?
All I know is that I will be watching at 3:30am, and it’s
Valentine’s Day. While most women want flowers or chocolates or jewelry or
whatever for Valentine’s Day, all I ever want is a Milan win. The team have
shown that they are capable, but they have also shown that they are not. The
game is ours to lose. But I know Milan won’t break my heart on Valentine’s Day…
at least I hope they won’t. Because after all, love is in the air.
This post inspired by the music of
Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love”
Milan vs. Genoa
Sunday, February 14 • 12:30 CET (6:30am EST)
This match will be shown LIVE on RAI and BeIN Sports in the U.S.