Tomorrow we welcome the sixth place Sampdoria to the San
Siro. They are three points ahead of us on the table, which means this game
really means a lot, especially in the challenge for a European spot. With Milan
playing like they are literally
possessed with grinta, we actually have a good chance of taking
three points from the Blucerchiati, especially since we are playing at
home. But it will take all of our focus and willpower, and maybe a little luck.
All hands on deck.
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| Age is just a number, and in this case, it's 17 goals |
The big threat for the Milan defense is a 35 year old. That’s
right, Serie A veteran Fabio Quagliarella has 17 goals in Serie A this year,
which I believe is his best tally in a single season yet. He scored a penalty
in Samp’s 2-0 defeat of Verona last week. In that match, Giampaolo lined up:
Viviano; Ferrari, Silvestre, Murru, Bereszynski, Duvan Zapata, Torreira,
Caprari, Linetty, Barreto, and Quagliarella. It appears that they will only be
missing the young Praet to injury for this match.
Milan have the longterm wait for Conti’s return still, as
well as the nursing home absence of Storari. Sadly for legions of disappointed
fans who populate social media, Kalinic will not be available yet again to
injury. But a very worrisome absence will be Kessie, who is suspended for this
match. Gattuso thinks that Montolivo or Locatelli can replace him, but he
obviously did not watch Milan last season, before Kessie. We have no
replacement for him. So it will be up to the rest of the team to play with
consistency and give a bit extra to compensate.
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| Hoping it doesn't come to this |
It’s hard not to worry, especially with the past six years
of Milan fanship. But at the same time, there is this thing called optimism
that seems to be taking hold and growing in our hearts as the team emulates the
grinta of their coach. Even with the prospect of facing a team just
above us that has been playing above the level of their talent, it just feels
like we might be able to take three points from them if we can keep that belief
going and not make too many mistakes. And maybe some luck, we can always use
that. But belief and hard work are becoming the hallmark of this team, so all
hands on deck!
This post inspired by the music of Irish
Rovers’ “Drunken Sailor”
Serie A Week 25
Milan vs. Sampdoria
Sunday, February 18 • 20:45 CET (2:45pm EST)
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This match will be
shown on RAI Italia in the U.S.