In The Lord of the Rings, Pippin asks the wise Gandalf, “Is there
any hope…?” To which Gandalf replies “There never was much hope. Just a fool’s hope.”
The same could be said for fans with Gattuso.
His coaching record is poor, he’s completely inexperienced in Serie A and
Europe, and his behavior record has actually interfered with him being able to
coach. Those who blindly thought that merely changing coaches would bring results
to Milan have been shown to be fools already, with the games away to Benevento
and Rijeka.
However, Frodo and Sam were successful even when all hope seemed dead. So maybe
there is a chance for us Sunday night after all. Even if it’s just a fool’s
hope.
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| When the lines between good and evil are no longer clear |
Bologna may be more Milan than Milan these days. Donadoni
has more Serie A coaching experience, for example, and boasts ex-Milan legends
like Simone Verdi, Andrea Poli, and Mattia Destro. In fact, all three of them
started last week in their 1-1 draw with Cagliari, and Destro even scored the goal
for Bologna. The full lineup was Mirante; Maietta, De Maio, Masina, Mbaye,
Pulgar, Donsah, Poli, Destro, Palacio, and Verdi. Unfortunately for us, Poli
will be suspended this match. Donadoni will apparently also be missing
Valencia, Helander, Brignani, Di Francesco, Santurro, Palacio and Keita to
inury.
Gattuso has a few worries of his own. Romagnoli is
suspended, and Calhanoglu is doubtful. Gomez and Jose Mauri are still injured,
as well as Conti, of course. However, he did rest Gigio, Suso, Kessie, Rodriguez,
Kalinic, and Bonaventura from Thursday’s trip to Rijeka, so he should have some
refreshed legs from those starters.
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| Looks like hobbit, behaves like orc |
Like the light of Galadriel in Shelob’s lair, there is talk
that Gattuso will go back to the 4-3-3 against Bologna. Talk about light in
dark places, this is the best news of the season, and offers more than just a
fool’s hope. If it can be executed well, without Gattuso’s heavy defensive
touch, it could stave off the darkness that the three man back line has cast on
Milan this season.
Still, I suppose, it is not much hope in all of this
darkness. The San Siro has felt more like Mordor this season and scoring goals
has been nearly impossible lately. Will we find some little heroes to step up
and save all of Milan? Or will the San Siro actually become Mordor? Maybe
Gattuso does not have a magic wand, as Desailly suggested this week. But he has
more power than he knows. He can sit amongst the great kings of Milan or he can
help bring about its utter destruction. The match against Bologna can be a
turning point for the season, or give more power to Sauron and his darkness.
Can Gattuso and Milan pull it off? Perhaps it is just a fool’s hope.
This post inspired by the music of Enya’s
“May it Be”
Serie A Week 16
Milan vs. Bologna
Sunday, December 10
• 20:45 CET (2:45pm EDT)
This match will be
shown LIVE on RAI Italia in the U.S.