Despite a turbulent season where 12 new players came in and
we downgraded our coach with surprising results, going into our last match,
Milan are in the same spot we were last season. Only with this match, we have
the possibility of actually finishing lower. Having massively choked in the Coppa
Italia and then given up a late goal to Atalanta last week to drop more
points, we have 90 minutes to prove ourselves worthy of sixth place. It all
comes down to this.
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| Despite our best efforts, they held us to a draw in December |
Fiorentina have had a much, much, much more painful season.
In March, their captain, Davide Astori, suddenly and unexpectedly passed away.
I honestly don’t even know how I could get through something like that as a
fan, let alone as a teammate. They have played valiantly through the pain of
such a massive loss, but their place on the table likely won’t change with this
match. For them, this match is more about redemption and honor. Which is far more
inspirational than Milan’s cause.
Last week, Fiorentina lost 0-1 to Cagliari at the Stadio
Artemio Franchi. For that match, Pioli lined up Sportiello; Milenkovic,
Pezzella, Biraghi, Laurrini, Simeone, Badelj, Eysseric, Veretout, Benassi, and
Chiesa. Veretout got himself sent off spectacularly in that match, so will miss
this match and the first two matches of next season as well. The Viola will
also be without Lo Faso with a long-term injury, while Hugo and Maganjic are in
doubt for this match.
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| The Curva honored the Milan Youth player's passing, let's hope they are respectful on Sunday |
Gattuso has some absences himself. On the plus side,
Montolivo and Borini are both suspended for this match. However, that leaves
him without two of his three go-to subs, so we’ll see if he remembers the names
of his other players on the bench. Conti is still out, of course, but Biglia
actually trained with the team yesterday, and with his insane drive could
possibly make this match. However, Suso picked up an injury in training today
and will miss this match. With so many missing and so much on the line, this
match will be a true test of Gattuso’s abilities.
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| Tough as nails on the pitch, will he be able to fight for this win? |
The burden of proof lies with Milan. With so much on the
line, including the money of the ICC tournament and the season starting a month
later with a win, it will be interesting to see if they can rise to the
occasion. Certainly we didn’t in the Coppa Italia, where we could have solved
those questions in 90 minutes. But Fiorentina have one more chance to honor
their fallen captain this season, even if they are playing at the San Siro. And
after seeing how they played to honor him before, Milan fans might want to plan
on an early season. It all comes down to this.
This post inspired by the music of
Pearl Jam’s “Why Go”
Serie A Week 38
Milan vs. Fiorentina
Sunday, May 20 •
18:00 CEST (12noon EDT)
This match will be
shown LIVE on BeIN Sports in the U.S.