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.
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| 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.
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| 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.