Sunday, May 14, 2017

Atalanta 1, Milan 1: Strangeways Here We Come


The outcome of this match has little impact on me. A win, a draw, or a loss didn’t matter as much to me as how we played. See, I am not on the Europe bandwagon. Both for Financial Fair Play implications as well as playing in three competitions without any depth reasons, I don’t think it’s right for us right now. But the formation Montella chose and how he lined everyone up for this match was completely baffling to me. I didn’t know why then and I still don’t know why, but astonishingly enough, we stole a point. So set your affairs in order and dream of playing a team like Swiss side Grasshoppers this summer, because if we can steal a few more points like this, it’s Strangeways here we come.

"C'mon over here and give me some sugar"

I literally don’t know what to say about the match. Conti scored in the 44th to make it 1-0 Atalanta. In the six minutes between when our Milan exes Petagna and Cristante had been subbed off but before Paloschi was subbed on, Deulofeu somehow found the equalizer in the 87th. 1-1. Gigio had some spectacular saves. Suso got a yellow that will see him suspended next week. Everything else was just mediocrity and madness. The 3-5-2 formation did not only confuse fans, it confused the team and possibly the opposition. Montolivo playing 90 minutes after being out for seven months was equally confusing. De Sciglio was subbed off for a possible injury, so it will be interesting to see if we even have two healthy fullbacks to field for our last two games.

That’s it. I literally am at a loss here. Another tough game to watch where our mentality suffered for most of the 90 minutes, but Montella praised them for a great game. I’m beginning to think he may no longer be in control of his own faculties. But we’re still in sixth, somehow. I guess no one else wants it, I don’t know. It definitely seems like some sort of robbery. Which makes me think even more that we are heading to an outdated and cruel facility like Strangeways was. Or possibly the Europa League qualifiers, and I really don’t know what is worse. I guess we’ll find out, but for now, enjoy a pictorial recap of the match since the words escape me.

Which is worse? Masiello's hair or Lapadula's mustache? (the answer is Lapadula, of course)
 
"Does this make me seem more like a captain?"
 
"Gomez.. Gomez... Suso!" is the new "Duck... Duck... Goose!"
Cristante meets the Flying Giant and is amazed by his super saves
 
Bonaventura: "Ever since I played here, I always wanted to sit in this section!"
Zapata: "Oh no he didn't!"
 
"We are so screwed. Pretend like everything is okay."

This post inspired by the music of the Smiths’ “Strangeways Here We Come” album


Our next match is
Milan vs. Bologna
Sunday, May 21 * 15:00 CET (9am EDT)

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