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Silva was one of the most expensive players Milan purchased
last year. After dazzling in the Europa League early in the season with six
goals in as many games, everyone was eagerly awaiting his Serie A goals to start
flowing. Having received precious little playing time in the league under
Montella, Gattuso praised him and gave him a few starts and a lot of
substitutions on, but nothing. And so as a frustrating 0-0 draw was literally
seconds away from happening, Silva chose that moment to open his Serie A tally
with a sublime header scored in the most spectacular of ways. Finally, Silva.
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| Finally |
Things started emotionally with a beautiful minute’s tribute
to Astori, his favorite song being played to a stadium full of tearful and
respectful fans and Genoa and Milan players linked arms in solidarity for one
of their own. Players also wore special patches on their kits to honor him. The
match started well enough, Romagnoli had a great tackle in the second minute,
and then Milan were on the attack. A great chance in the ninth minute when
Rodriguez crossed it in and Kalinic forced Perin into a great save with a
potentially deadly low shot. Genoa fought back, though, and the battle
increasingly wound tighter and tighter, like a rubber band. There was some
release in the 43rd minute as it seemed that Kessie had scored, but the goal
was waved off for offside and the tension returned immediately.
Genoa came on after the half looking far more dangerous, and
in fact in the 53rd, Rigoni scored a goal from a free kick that momentarily
stood, pending the VAR check. However that, too, was called off for offside. Right
after that, Zucanovic missed a header from point blank, with Gigio having been
beaten, but luckily for us, he sent it high and wide. Then it was back to the
tense nil-nil battle that became increasingly frustrating as both sides lost
steam and quality.
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| A tough battle for 93 minutes, 56 seconds |
Gattuso brought Cutrone on for Kalinic in the 60th, then
Silva on for Calhanoglu in the 68th. Our old friend Bertolacci gained the
notoriety of the only yellow card in this match in the 79th. Then Gattuso
released the Borini. Well, I mean Borini was on the pitch from the start, but
the striker was being played at right back due to a bit of an injury crisis. So
he finally brought Calabria on in the 80th for Bonaventura, which meant we had
three strikers on the pitch. Or as some people like to call it, two strikers and
Borini. This was a bold tactical move for Gattuso, I’m not sure who informed
him that he owns more than one striker, but I’m glad they did.
However, not even having two and a half strikers on the
pitch could break the deadlock. 90 minutes came and went, and there was only
stoppage time left for us to have any hope of taking more than a point from all
of this frustration. Kessie fired a shot in the 90th +1, but it was saved. The
nails of Milan fans worldwide were being bitten. And just as I think most fans
were resigned to listening for the final whistle so they could turn the game
off and do something productive, it happened. Suso whipped in a cross and like
magic, Silva jumped and headed it in so beautifully that I have since watched
it dozens of times (and will watch dozens more after posting this.) Perin got a
hand on it, but the header was so swift and so lethal and the ball placed so
well, he couldn’t stop it. Silva had finally scored. 1-0 Milan. With only four seconds
left on the clock. The whistle blew, but Milan players probably didn’t even
hear it, because everyone was celebrating so joyously.
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| The Godfather's blessing |
That moment was so special for so many reasons. More
exciting than a baby’s first word or their first step, everyone on the team
wanted that first goal from Silva as much as he did. But it also won the match,
gave us three points, and restored some faith and belief after an emotionally
draining week. And he scored it at the Marassi, which is very difficult to do,
too. He literally killed the game, I think Genoa police may have a warrant out
for his arrest. And he did it in style, showing the quality we’ve all believed
in all season long. It was nothing short of magical on every level, and I know
I for one am still celebrating the goal and the win both inwardly and
outwardly.
It remains to be seen whether or not that moment unlocks the
scoring beast we all believe lies sleeping within Silva, but if it does, it
couldn’t come at a better time. We face Arsenal again on Thursday in England,
then host Chievo on Sunday. Then Juve, and somewhere in there we will have a
Derby to make up. With goals at a premium for Milan this season, and beautiful
goals even more rare, certainly we could use some more Silva magic. But even if
that’s the only goal he scores this season, it was an important one and one
that dreams are made of. Finally, Silva.
This post inspired by the music of
Lush
Our next match is
Europa League
Round of 16 2nd leg
Arsenal vs. AC Milan
Thursday, March 15
• 9:05pm CET (4:05pm EDT)