In unhealthy relationships, there is often the person who is
causing the problem, and then there is the person who enables that person and
feeds the dysfunction. Both are unhealthy, both contribute to the problem. This
match highlighted that, because Montella, again going with the 3-5-2 and his
mismatched “clothing,” had his dysfunction covered by the team and their win.
Like the best of enablers, their performance not only produced three much
needed points, but also contributed to saving Montella.
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| A victory for mentality and for Montella |
The performance was improved, although it was also 17th
place Sassuolo, and they didn’t put up as much of a fight as other teams might
have. Wait, let me rephrase that: they put up a fight, the game was very
physical. They just didn’t play that well. In fact, their performance may have
sent Bucchi to the unemployment lines, while ironically, Montella was spared to
coach another match.
The ninth minute saw Calabria get injured. Which was such a
shame because he was just coming back from his head injury. After trying out
the injured ankle, he had to be subbed off just five minutes later. Two minutes
after that, Borini elbowed Ragusa in the face. Which is of note, because
Bonucci did the same thing two weeks ago. But since his victim bled and the
opposition players begged the ref to review it, VAR was invoked and Bonucci got
sent off and was given a two match suspension for violent conduct. That is the “beauty”
of VAR.
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| The heroes amongst the carnage |
Speaking of Bonucci, he harassed Damato a lot about a call
in the 24th, he was lucky not to be cautioned then, particularly since he did
see yellow in the 55th. But where I came in the first time through was when
Borini injured himself attempting a bicycle kick in the 27th. To have two
wingers (and I do use that term lightly here) injured in the first 30 minutes
could have been devastating. But luckily, he was able to continue. Can’t have
two actual wingers on the pitch now, can we Montella?
The 39th saw Kalinic come knocking, and then in the same
minute, Romagnoli score from a Calhanoglu corner. 1-0 Milan. And that goal not
only put us ahead, but upped our game, as the intensity and performance
improved from there. Like Bonucci’s monster save in the 45th + 2, which
apparently was enough on its own to turn his haters into fans again, so even
better.
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| And so the dysfunction continues... |
Speaking of monsters, Kessie had a monster game. I lost
count, but he may have had more attempts on goal than either of our strikers.
Of course, Suso’s great attempt in the 67th sealed the deal for Milan, 2-0. So
ironic that Suso has been stifled so much this season in Montella’s 3-5-2. Then
in the game that was rumored to be Montella’s last if we lost, Suso scored to
ensure Montella stays. Talk about dysfunction.
Certainly, it was a better performance, especially by a few
individuals. But we didn’t find much resistance, Sassuolo had only one shot on
target out of only six attempts in all. And certainly, we found our clinical
abilities again: Milan had ten shots on target out of 14, so that is what made
the difference from our other performances of late. But the big disappointment was that Montella
will live to coach another tactically bereft day. Which means we, as fans, will
have to continue watching those mismatched socks and trousers squander our
Champions League hopes away. Sure, it’s amazing to have taken three points. But
disappointing that in doing so, the team are saving Montella.
This post inspired by the music of Morrissey’s
“Spent the Day in Bed”