Bournemouth vs. Milan Friendly: Just As Well

So we’re playing a friendly today in England, a testimonial match for Warren Cummings. At first, I felt terrible for the poor guy, facing this Milan side, with our 12 best players all out on International duty. But then I realized that the Scottish player just retired from seventh tier English side Havant & Waterlooville, and I realized he might actually be looking forward to this match. Especially since Bournemouth are in their second consecutive season in the Premier League and just made a great signing in loaning Jack Wilshere from Arsenal, who will likely be debuting for the Cherries in this match. It should be a great match for Cummings and for Bournemouth. And that’s just as well.

The man of honor during his time at Bournemouth

I could tell you that Bournemouth also wear red and black striped kits and finished 16th in the Premier League and all that other stuff, but let’s be serious here: this is a friendly. A testimonial for the man who played 300 matches for a club whose greatest achievement was winning the Championship (equivalent to Serie B) two years ago. On paper, it will look amazing that they played AC Milan for Cummings’ testimonial. On paper, no one will look at which Milan they played. And that is just as well for everyone concerned.

The best part of this match is that Montolivo will not play. At least that’s the best thing for Milan fans. Other than that, we can look forward to all of the International rejects & Primavera players playing, which might actually be worth watching. The list of our forwards is promising: the young Cosimo La Ferrara, then Lapadula, Adriano, Niang, and Suso. Our midfielders called up include Primavera players Careccia, Pobega, Zanellato, and Zucchetti, along with newcomers Pasalic and Sosa. Our defense will include Spinelli and Curto from the Primavera squad, then Abate, Ely, Paletta, and Vangioni. And our goalkeepers, of course, will be Gabriel and Plizzari. So it should be a relaxed environment for us to see what some of our new players can do, as well as maybe get a glimpse of some of the Primavera players.

The exciting young Cosimo La Ferrara is called up alongside our starting forwards

Honestly, we should always play our best, but if it’s a testimonial match, it’s not entirely unsporting to hope for that team to win. Milan just need playing time for some of the people who never see it, and a chance for them to prove themselves to Montella. The result is not nearly as important as the occasion and the opportunity. So let’s just hope for no dumb injuries, and that one way or the other, it’s a good sending off for Warren Cummings. Oh, and that the best red and black team win. If that happens to be Bournemouth, then it’s just as well.

This post inspired by the music of INXS’ “The Devil Inside”

Warren Cummings’ Testimonial Match

AFC Bournemouth vs. AC Milan

Saturday, September 3 • 17:00 CEST (11:00am EDT)

This match will NOT be shown LIVE in the U.S.