Genoa-Milan Preview: Back on the Wagon

Milan are used to facing every match with complete uncertainty: without a proper squad, a good coach, and consistency at the club in general, it was anyone’s guess what could happen traveling away to Genoa. It was almost as if we were addicted to losing. Surprisingly, this calendar year, with a proper squad, a motivated coach, and a 13 game unbeaten run, bringing three points back from the Marassi is now expected. After Thursday’s loss to Arsenal, though, finding that confidence again and especially finding goals may prove more difficult. But if winning is the expectation, then Milan must find a way to get back on the wagon.

A tough draw won't be enough this time

Genoa used to be the club where Milan paid too much for sometimes up and coming stars, Galliani’s favorite feeder club. Then that nasty old woman Barbara Berlusconi had a look at the books and tattled on the old man, and things were never the same. Gratefully. Maybe Fassone and Mirabelli are newbies in the football management world, but they’re certainly not stupid enough to pay too much money for Preziosi’s mediocre players. Now we just have to worry about facing them.

Currently, Genoa sit 13 th on the table, 14 points behind Milan. But to their credit, they did beat Inter a few weeks back. And Lazio before that. Their current run of form is L-W-W-W-L. Unfortunately for them, they fell to Bologna in their last match two weeks ago 2-0. For that match, Ballardini lined up Perin; Spolli, Zukanovic, Rossettini, Hiljemark, Bessa, ex-Milan star Bertolacci, Laxalt, Rose, Galabinov, and Pandev. Ex-Milan fan favorite Lapadula was subbed on for that match, and should be available to hurt us. He will be missing Izzo and Veloso, while former Milan loan special Taarabt is doubtful. Lifelong Milan fan Giuseppe Rossi will be available and I’m sure hungry.

There and back again, a Genoa player's tale

Certainly there is no pressure on Gattuso to get the team back on track. I mean he raised the hopes and dreams of Milan fans everywhere, and even Fassone and Mirabelli said he had exceeded expectations. But then he smashed those dreams with two excellent goals conceded from an opponent with more experience and skill, and as a coach, it’s now on him to pick up those pieces and move forward. The players will wear a special “Ciao Davide” patch on their kits to honor Astori, let’s hope that doesn’t weigh too heavily on them. In Gattuso’s favor, Antonelli and Musacchio return to the squad. However with Conti still out, and Calabria battered from Thursday, missing Abate is an even bigger loss. Never fear, though, Borini could play at right back. The all-purpose, one size fits all position superstar should be feared even more the further out of position he is played.

Ten years ago, and maybe even six years ago, Milan were in losing sobriety. But we fell off of that wagon and we fell hard, we became used to that fix, used to the heartache and pain that came the drug of losing. Gattuso’s mentality brought us back into recovery. We lost weight, found Jesus (Suso), and realized that no matter how difficult it was, winning was a better life for us. Detox was going well until we met Arsenal and forgot out higher powers, succumbing to the temptation to lose once again. Now we need to sober up again and beat Genoa to get back on the wagon again.

This post inspired by the music of Garbage

Serie A Week 28

Genoa vs. Milan

Sunday, March 11 • 18:00 CET (1pm EST)*

*Remember to change your clocks due to Daylight Saving Time in North America

This match will be shown on RAI Italia in the U.S.