Near the beginning of the second half, my commentator
referred to Milan as “football royalty.” But the only royalty from Milan were in the
stands or on the sideline in the likes of Maldini, Leonardo, and Gattuso. That
last guy only brought 19 players to Luxembourg, and only started two starters
in an eleven that would never be called royalty. They were absolutely woeful,
and lucky to score the goal. But Dudelange were the first team from Luxembourg
to ever play in the Europa League Group stage. And for that alone, tonight they
were football royalty.
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| Thank goodness someone can score |
When I saw the squad Gattuso was traveling with, I didn’t
expect much, honestly. I find it weird about how he goes on and on about how
much team spirit these guys have and how solid the squad is, then he left
eleven players at home. They didn’t get to support their teammates, they didn’t
get to celebrate with their teammates. Just stayed home to train. I wonder how
much of a “team” they feel like now.
Also strange that Gattuso talked so much about respecting
Dudelange, but started only Higuain and Romagnoli of our typical starting
eleven. I’m all about squad rotation, but that was like changing your good
tires for last year’s old tires and expecting the same driving experience. And
our experience was nothing like what we are used to.
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| Acceptable |
Higuain and Romagnoli were phenomenal, of course. But they
were only two players and could only do so much on their own. Reina did well
enough, of course, with Dudelange’s singular shot on goal. Jose Mauri had a
good performance. If he was consistent, I could see him playing a little more
often. Caldara didn’t wow me, but he also didn’t disappoint, so I will not show
him my wrath. Abate was solid, but faded by the end, he’s simply not getting
any younger.
Both Laxalt and Castillejo are very fast, their speed is
impressive. But when they get anywhere near the box, they lose the ball, shoot
wildly, or send in crosses for the neighborhood deli or something. Castillejo
is especially woeful at his delivery, why he was taking set pieces was beyond
me. Ironic, then, that he sent in one good cross to Higuain in the 59th, and
Higuain scored the singular goal with that cross. 1-0 Milan.
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| I'm not convinced, despite the assist |
Plenty of people were liking how Castillejo got forward.
That is great. But once he was forward, it was not great. He is dispossessed so
easily, it’s impressive. He’s like the track star who got so fast because he
was always being chased for his lunch money. Only tonight, he got to keep his
lunch money… once. The rest of the time it was dreadful. Bakayoko is similar,
he loses the ball too much. But he’s a bit stronger and he moves more
tactically. I’m still not convinced I’d want him to start.
None of them are nearly as dreadful as Borini. Why Fassone
& Mirabelli’s wet dream is still at Milan at all, let alone given a chance
to start is completely beyond me. The same applies to Bertolacci, but I know
who is to blame for that: Gattuso. And I’m not going to forget that, either.
His singular contribution to the game was complaining for being fouled in the
52nd minute, as usual. He was the first to be subbed, and bringing Kessie on
for him was like being given a Ferrari to drive when you are used to riding a
tricycle. The difference was immediate, after having an okay Mauri as our
midfield all night, immediately, Kessie was three times as good as our three
midfielders.
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| What are you celebrating for, Bertolacci? You're like Dudelange's 12th man |
And as well as Mauri did, when Calhanoglu came on for him,
it was like the professional footballer came to play with the kids. He threaded
through a gorgeous pass to Higuain almost immediately, who forced Frising into
another great save. Gattuso’s last sub was Halilovic for Borini. In the five
minutes or so that the adorable little Croatian got, he showed a couple of
sparks, including a shot that was blocked by the defense, but five minutes is
an insult to everyone. Both Abate and Romagnoli earned yellow cards, which I
suppose we might have to worry about if we get past the group stage. And also
if Gattuso doesn’t ask for a new deck of cards for each match.
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| Please make it stop |
There were almost 8,000 spectators on hand to watch history
be made in Luxembourg. And no, I’m not talking about Borini playing for 87
minutes without being laughed at and mocked hysterically. I mean that Dudelange
were making history in the Europa League. And at the whistle, Toppmöller and
his staff were almost as happy as if they had won. And why shouldn’t they be?
Dudelange just held Milan, the seven-time Champions League winners, to a single
goal win. They probably didn’t care that Gattuso played the speedy towel boys.
For this night, they could celebrate the first Europa League group stage match
in all of Luxembourg. And that alone makes them football royalty.
This post inspired by the music of XTC’s
“King For a Day”
Our next match is
Serie A Week 5
Milan vs. Atalanta
Sunday, September
23 • 18:00 CEST (12noon EDT)