The last
time we faced Pescara was at the end of the season in 2013. We beat
them 4-0, an exclamation point to their eventual relegation. But now they are
back in Serie A, having been promoted. Promoted in part due to the efforts of
one Massimo Oddo. Does that name ring a bell? It should. I can only hope it is
an emotional return for him to the San Siro. But with his team struggling just
above the relegation zone in 17th, I am also kind of hoping it is with emotion
that he leaves the San Siro – hopefully leaving three points with the team he
once played for, and taking his Delfini
home empty-handed.
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| There is a big difference between swimming with the fishes and swimming with dolphins, Mister. Let's hope for the latter. |
I’ve heard that dolphins are very smart. And that swimming
with them is really cool. But on Sunday afternoon, I’m hoping Milan’s inner
shark comes out. (Sorry, Oddo.) After earning promotion with our friend
Lapadula, they had a dream start without him this season, with wins against
Frosinone and Sassuolo, as well as an impressive draw against Napoli. Then
Inter came to town, took three points, and they haven’t won since. We all leave
Inter’s presence worse off. And to make matters worse, their game against
Atalanta on Wednesday was delayed by earthquakes, that can’t be good for
morale.
In that eventual 1-0 loss to Atalanta, Oddo lined up
Bizzarri; Fornasier, Campagnaro, Aquilani, Biraghi, Crescenzi, Brugman,
Memushaj, Caprari, Zampano, and Manaj. In addition to a former player in
Aquilani, notable subs include some young kid called Cristante, and some old
monster called Simone Pepe. (It is Halloween on Monday, after all.) Oddo will
be missing Vitturini, Bahebeck, Verre, and Gyömber to injury.
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| Well look who finally got himself some playing time... at a relegation-threatened club? |
Meanwhile, Montella’s boys will be humbled by the 3-0
thrashing Genoa gave them away on Tuesday, and also rested one more day than
the Delfini. Both of those will
probably give them an edge, and I will be curious if playing at the San Siro
will give them the edge or not. Will fans show up after the magical Juve game, but
the disappointing loss to Genoa?
Montella will be missing Paletta to suspension, but will
have Zapata available, even if he is not likely match fit yet after his injury.
He will also be without Vangioni, Montolivo, Calabria, Antonelli, Bertolacci,
and Fernandez. I believe Fernandez is finally starting to train with the team
after his injury, but as of this writing will not be available for this match.
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| Sorry, Mister. Your red and black heritage will get you no favors here. Nor would you want it that way. |
I’ve also heard that swimming with dolphins is very
relaxing, and I’m hoping that in our match on Sunday that proves to be the
case. We cannot take anything for granted, as Genoa taught us on Tuesday. We
are not the team that maybe the media and others built us up to be. But we are
Milan. And Milan should be able to swim circles around the dolphins. This will
be an important match to prove that all is not lost, and that what happens in
Genoa stays in Genoa. If Montella has done his job this week, and I suspect he
has, our boys should be mentally ready to go swimming with the dolphins.
This post inspired by the music of
The B-52’s “Rock Lobster”
Milan vs. Pescara
Sunday, October 30 • 15:00 CET (10am EDT)*
This match is NOT being shown LIVE in the U.S.
*note the time difference due to European Daylight Savings Time ending