After two disappointing results in two big and important
games, Milan need to haul in as many points as possible from our remaining
fixtures and pray for teams above us to choke… a lot… to have any hope of
Champions League next season. One we don’t have any control over, but how many
points we grab is completely up to us… and maybe a little to VAR, we’ll see.
The point is, we have to get back to work and get back to winning. Every point
counts at this point in the season.
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| Someone's ready to get back to work |
Sassuolo have struggled a lot this year without Di
Francesco, and with injuries, too. They currently sit in 15th on
the table, in a three way tie on 29 points. Relegation is not completely out of
the question for them. So they will be fighting for every point they can, too. Like
on Wednesday, when they were down a goal and down to nine men, they managed to
grab a goal late into stoppage time to steal a point. For that match, Iachini
lined up Consigli; Acerbi, Dell’Orco, Goladniga, Adjapong, Lirola, Magnanelli,
Missiroli, Cassata, Babacar, and Berardi. He will be missing Adjapong and
Magnanelli, who both saw red on Wednesday, but I believe he will have a full
squad otherwise. That squad includes Milan-killer Berardi, as well as exes like
Matri and Acerbi who threaten to hurt us via the law of the exes.
Gattuso signed a contract renewal this week until 2021. Now
he has to show why he deserves the faith of the club and fans worldwide.
Despite the loss to Juve on Saturday and the draw to Inter midweek, he has the
troops fired up and ready to go. Well except poor Conti, who just had a second
surgery on his knee on Thursday in Rome and will not be back until September.
Wednesday’s match was very physical and several players took knocks. But as of
this writing, I have not heard of any new injuries, so hopefully we are good.
There is also the issue of Silva’s grandfather having passed away, so there is
a chance he may not be available. That will be as close to a full squad that we
can hope for.
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| The Spaniard is always ready to work |
This is a game that won’t be pretty (especially if we have
to see Matri’s face,) but a game where three points is doable if we work hard
and don’t lose focus. At the end of 90 minutes, playing at home, we should be
able to celebrate. But we can’t take Sassuolo for granted or give them any
opportunities, because they may be more desperate than us. Don’t look for
beautiful football, just look for grit and determination. It’s time to get back
to work.
This post inspired by the music of Sex
after Cigarettte’s “Truly”
Serie A Week 31
Milan vs. Sassuolo
Sunday, April 8 •
20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)
This match will be
shown LIVE on RAI Italia and BeIn Sports in the U.S.