Another three points we let slip through our fingers…
although this time at least it was to a worthy opponent. The match could have
ended any other way, even just by the inches Bonaventura was offside when his
first goal was disallowed. But Milan slightly outplayed Atalanta, and Gasperini’s
assistant, Gritti, slightly out-coached Gattuso. And when it is that close, it
can easily end in a stalemate.
 |
| We love you too |
Gomez may have fired the first shot, but he was not on
target. So Higuain, just 90 seconds in, showed him how it was done from a great
cross in by Suso, Higuain’s powerful volley made it 1-0 Milan. Milan
took a number of chances, 17 in all, but only five were on target. That included
the infamous Bonaventura goal…no VAR…not goal in the 20th minute from a great
Calabria cross. Kessie’s chances against his old side were wasted, as it felt like
most of our chances were. But when the goalkeeper you are facing is also a rapper, I
suppose it could be intimidating.
For me, the masterclass move was at the beginning of the second
half. And it wasn’t Gattuso who made it. It was Gritti. He was himself subbing
for Gasperini, who was given a one match ban for committing blasphemy,
something the league has cracked down on this year with everyone. Because
worrying about uniform armbands and which curse words people use is where Serie
A chooses to focus on, not lucrative TV rights, bringing fans back to the
stadium, marketing in and out of Italy, etc. Anyway, Gritti pulled off Barrow
and Pasalic who had not been making much of an impact, and brought on Rigoni
and Duvan Zapata to start the second half.
 |
| No question about that goal |
That move was bold, using two subs at the half, and it was also
costly, as when Papu Gomez got injured in the 78th, they essentially finished
on ten men. However it brought them back into the game, as Gomez scored the
equalizer from a Zapata cross within ten minutes. 1-1 all. Bonaventura answered
just seven minutes later, from a great assist by Suso. 2-1 Milan. However,
Atalanta were improving as Milan were fading.
Higuain came in on Golloriu$ with a
high boot, so saw yellow, but also saw the worst of a collision with the
rapper/keeper and had to receive treatment before he was handed his card. Maybe
that’s what gave Gattuso time to think about making a change. He brought on
Abate for Calabria in the 67th, then Bakayoko for Bonaventura in the 74th, and
finally Castillejo on for Calhanoglu in the 85th. As always, too little, too
late. None of those players really made any impact, they may as well have
stayed on the bench.
 |
| Hope his learning curve is shorter than his predecessor |
Musacchio clashed heads with Toloi, hopefully he’s okay,
since he’s just recovered from some mild head trauma. Papu Gomez made a
challenge and also came out much worse for it, seeing yellow and some apparently
intense groin pain. He eventually got back on the pitch, but that’s about it,
Atalanta were basically a man down. Rodriguez had a brilliant goal line
clearance in the 89th after Gigio had come out and missed and a few other shots
were attempted, it was simply amazing. But two minutes later, Rigoni, the other
of Gritti’s halftime subs, shot from a rebound and equalized again. 2-2 all.
 |
| My hero |
This game could have finished with a win or a loss, but a
draw was probably the most fair. Of course Milan made mistakes and didn’t
capitalize on their chances, but Gattuso was also out-coached. With Gritti
benching Zapata and Rigoni initially, he was able to put them on at the half to
create a full-strength squad as Milan’s legs were starting to tire. That
nullified the brilliant performances of players like Higuain, Suso, Bonaventura,
and Rodriguez, and in the end saw both teams get a point. Some players may
regret chances, but Gattuso should regret his subbing and the opportunities he
has to make decisions that actually impact the game. Until everyone can
improve, we should feel lucky a game like this ended in a stalemate.
This post inspired by the music of
Radiohead’s “Let Down”
Our next match is
Empoli vs. Milan
Thursday, September
27 • 21:00 CEST (3pm EDT)
Stay tuned for an all new Milan Obsession Podcast