In the
movie “The Princess Bride,” the hero, Westley, challenges the villain, Prince
Humperdinck, to a duel. Not to the death, but to the pain. Like Westley, who had
suffered immeasurable pain and even death only to be brought back to life by
true love, AC Milan has suffered immeasurably these past five years. Still weak
from the suffering, Milan’s sale is hoping to bring new life back to the
club, our one true love. Empoli are near death… er… relegation, but still five points
clear at this point. So Milan need to fight them to the pain… close enough so
that they can still hear the shriek of every child at the sight of the 17th
place club, just above relegation, wallowing in freakish misery in Serie A.
To be
fair, Empoli suffered quite a bit of pain when we met in November, as we used any
means necessary for a 4-1 win over them. But now they are coming to the
San Siro for more, so clearly to the pain is what they seek. Despite a
controversial 2-1 win against Tuscan rivals Fiorentina last week, we cannot let
them take control for even one moment. Even if we have to bluff, it is
important that they fear us. For Fiorentina’s fateful loss last week,
Martusciello lined up Skorupski; Barba, Bellusci, Pasqual, Veseli, Thiam,
Buchel, El Kaddouri, Croce, Krunic, and Mchedlidze. Empoli will be without
Cosic, but Pucciarelli is also in doubt. Other than that, like Prince
Humperdinck, they will be fully fit to duel.
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| Westley's true love wears Milan's colors and has Milan's fighting spirit |
Montella
will be missing the usual suspects: Abate, Bertolacci, and Bonaventura.
Montolivo played 90 minutes with the Primavera last week, which would
demonstrate match fitness for most. However, this is Montolivo we are talking
about, and his match fitness has been in question for much of his time at
Milan. So I guess it comes down to whether or not Montella calls him up or
plays him. Pasalic will be back from suspension, so we will be better off than
poor Westley was when he challenged Humperdinck to the duel.
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| Hoping to leave Empoli tied up and empty handed, too |
Westley
would do anything for his true love, and I hope our boys will do the same for
the crest they wear on their kits. I am not a cruel person by nature, but if
Empoli want to play in Serie A, they may have to play to the pain. We cannot
give them any points right now, not with Inter just behind us. And if we are to
be true to our own true love, then leaving them to wallow in 17th place is
what we must do. I for one hope Milan come out with the courage of Westley,
despite what we’ve endured, and from the whistle say “Drop. Your. Sword.”
This post inspired
by one of the greatest movies ever, “The Princess Bride”
Milan vs. Empoli
Sunday, April 23 • 15:00
CST (9am EDT)
This match will be
shown LIVE on BeINSports in the U.S.