We had all been cautioned that Ludogorets were very good.
Like the Juventus
of Bulgaria. But despite playing uglier than Gattuso’s beard, Milan
relieved Ludogorets of three precious away goals and did not allow them to
steal even one. And although Milan were the ones traveling this time, this game
was a lot like highway robbery.
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| Ugly game, beautiful result |
It seems to be becoming commonplace for Milan to start a
little slow and unfocused. Not surprising here, with the travel and the
different style of play. Abate especially came in with a late tackle in the
fourth minute to earn himself a yellow card. Then in the 16th, he thought he
was a star striker or something and put the ball way over the goal, it was kind
of sad, really. I think we are all hoping for Conti’s return sooner rather than
later.
Later in the first half, Milan started to build some
momentum, but still struggled to maintain possession and defend. But starting
in the 39th, there was a Suso free kick that went just over, then a great Bonaventura
chance that went just over, and those seemed to lead up to the 45th minute.
Cutrone scored a scrappy header from a Calhanoglu cross to make it 1-0 Milan.
 |
| Lethal |
I thought with that momentum that Milan would come back from
half time ready to dominate, but it was Ludogorets who stepped it up instead. After
a Gigio save and a Dyakov shot that hit the crossbar, they were almost awarded
a penalty in the 56th. Abate did commit the foul, but luckily for us, the
whistle blew for offside first. He was wisely subbed off, already being on a
yellow on the night, for Rodriguez. Which is important to note, as two minutes
later, Cutrone was pushed in the box and Milan were awarded a penalty, with
Rodriguez stepping up to take it. He took it fantastically, and suddenly it was
Milan 2-0.
The penalty took some of the wind out of the Ludogorets’
sails, but they didn’t give up. Both coaches made the rest of their subs, and
Ludogorets were still fighting, with a dangerous cross across our goal in the
84th. But then they made the mistake of fouling one Fabio Borini. And that,
ultimately, was the nail in their coffin. Because in stoppage time, Kessie
whipped the ball in. Silva actually missed it, but Borini didn’t. It was as if
he was punishing them and simultaneously completing his infamous three goal
quota for the season all in one kick. 3-0 Milan. And don’t mess with Borini.
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| I think he might be literally on fire |
Milan have some history with giving up a 3-0 lead in Europe,
but that was in one game. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where Ludogorets
could come to the San Siro and pull that off. Especially with Milan playing so
much like their coach did. He said we are not playing “like Brad Pitt,” and
that we need to be ugly, “like my beard.” That is definitely not a problem.
This football is quite ugly. But the win was spectacularly beautiful. Sorry,
Razgrad, to come and steal three points and leave, but this Milan cannot afford
to lose anymore. Not even if we have to commit highway robbery.
This post inspired by the music of
AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”
Happy Birthday to Milan Obsession!
Celebrating seven
mostly painful years of bleeding red and black here on the blog.
Here’s to many more
years, hoping to have far more laughter than tears and many more trophies and
celebrations!
Our next match is
Milan vs. Sampdoria
Sunday, February
18 • 20:45 CET (2:45pm EST)