There are infinite
previews outlining THE RACE FOR SECOND PLACE. But a story that eclipses Milan’s
accidental rise on the table and Roma’s astounding ability to barely maintain second place is
the Strootman Ban/Not Ban. So much whining from Roma fans, you’d have thought
someone had died. No one talking about the poor conduct and poor sportsmanship.
Certainly no Roma fans acknowledging precedence for other players in the past
who served bans for either instigating or simulation, let alone both. And the FIGC
clearly overturned the ban because the whining was simply unbearable. But from
Strootman’s ridiculous and very unsporting behavior to the fans lacking a
conscience of any kind, Roma are coming into this game with bad form.
 |
| I hope his shirt is okay. |
Roma’s form on the pitch
is okay. I mean it’s not like they’re going to win the Scudetto or anything,
but they are the always the bridesmaid, never the bride team anyway. In addition
to winning their Derby last week, despite Lazio’s Lulic making horrific racist
remarks and everything else that happened, they are W-D-W-L-W in their last
five league games. And despite a 0-0 draw on Thursday to Romanian side Astra
Giurgiu, they topped their group in the group stages of the Europa League. In
fact, they’ll find out their fate in the Round of 32 on Monday ahead of our
game.
In their Derby match vs.
Lazio on Sunday, Spaletti lined up Szczesny; Fazio, Manolas, De Rossi, Emerson,
Rüdiger, Nainggolan, Strootman, Perotti, Peres, and Dzeko. He will be without
Salah, Paredes, and Florenzi. But of course, he will have Strootman. Which is
good, because every forever bridesmaid team needs a poor sport whiner with appalling acting skills in their squad. No one ever remembers that Strootman’s little child
water stunt and diving competition was part of his goal celebration. Because
when you have such bad form, no one cares if you did something right.
 |
| His return would be news worth talking about |
I’m sure Montella isn’t
thinking about how unprofessional Strootman behaved last week. Partially
because his recent record is better, Milan have gone W-W-D-W-W in their last
five matches. Also because he’s got a few injury concerns. The good news is that Mati Fernandez
trained with the team and should be available, and Bonaventura is cleared to
train with the team and should be available, too. That is actually great news. Longterm
injuries include Montolivo, Calabria, and the injured/wantaway Bacca. Also
missing will be Kucka after his three minute yellow card performance last week.
Because he is a man, and real men take their suspensions like a man. They don’t
run to appeal them or complain that the ban was due to the upcoming schedule and meant
to show preferences to non-whining teams. No, Kucka will sit this one out, and
we know he’ll be ready to destroy again vs. Atalanta on Saturday.
Montella’s heart strings
will be pulled, I’m sure, due to his own history at Roma. But he is coaching the
club of his dreams, and will be focused on the three points. Not me. I will be
focused on how a grown man, getting paid very well, can act so
unprofessionally, then cry about it and get the governing agency to overturn
his consequences. It is completely disgusting, and I can’t believe my kids live
in a world where this actually happens. I mean Roma fans and their pathetic crying have managed to
eclipse the worst form of all from Sunday, Lulic’s racist comments about Rüdiger and his
initial lack of apology. But the FIGC has opened a formal investigation of his
comments and he will receive up to a ten match ban. Yet no one is whining about that.
Because whining is bad form.
 |
| What Strootman looked like after having his shirt pulled, also how my respect for him plummeted after all of this |
It’s good that Strootman
practiced his simulation, I guess, because now he will have to simulate being a
decent human being. He’d best hope that no one touches his shirt. And for
heaven’s sake, don’t give him a water bottle. The game should be pretty good,
despite that Roma were “stunned” that a Roma player might actually be held
accountable for his actions. Both teams are tied at 32 points, with Roma well
ahead of Milan on goal differential. Maybe that’s because our players don’t
pour water on their opponents as part of their goal celebrations and then get away with it. But if that’s
the case, I’ll take a loss in this game. Because losing fairly is much better
than winning with bad form.
This post inspired by the music of Journey’s
“Who’s Crying Now”
Roma vs. Milan
Monday, December 12 • 21:00 CET (3pm
EST)
This match will be shown LIVE on RAI
and BeIN Sports in the U.S.