It feels like Sassuolo have a special curse on Milan where
they win every time. But actually, Milan have won five of their last ten Serie
A meetings, drawing once and losing four times. However one of those four losses
was instrumental in getting Allegri fired, so it was kind of like a win. Still,
every time we meet them, it seems like we experience some kind of flashbacks.
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| A face no Milan fan ever wants to see again |
This time will be no exception. Their squad features our
ex-NASA launch expert Boateng, more recently known as Prin$$. It features
one of Milan fans’ most hated ex-players, Matri, as well as one of Milan fans’ most
beloved ex-players, Locatelli. Only with Sassuolo currently sitting in third in
the league and Milan drowning in 13th, all of those –exes look pretty clever
right about now. Also in the Sassuolo squad is Berardi, the Milan-killer, who
has scored more goals against Milan than any other club in Serie A.
Sassuolo have surprised everyone, possibly even themselves,
with four wins, a draw, and a loss. Their only loss was against Juventus, and
their good form continued with a 2-0 win over SPAL on Thursday. For that match,
De Zerbi lined up Consigli; Marlon, Magnani, Ferrari; Adjapong, Bourabia,
Magnanelli, Rogerio; Djuricic, Babacar, and Boga. He also rested a number of
key players like Di Francesco, Berardi, and our exes Boateng and Locatelli.
Because De Zerbi knows how to rotate.
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| It's just too much. |
In the category of coaches who still have yet to figure out
the rotation thing, Gattuso has a bit of a crisis up front. Higuain is still
injured, while both Cutrone and Borini are also battling injuries. The former
was not even called up for our trip to Mapei Stadium, while the latter two are
called up but not likely to start. Caldara is still injured, and of course
Conti and Strinic are out long term. Also out injured are Milan fans who
expected more from this team and are quickly losing faith with the former Milan
midfielder’s tactics.
Milan’s mentality do not seem up for any game at this point,
least of all to face a team owned by a Milanista that is not afraid to hurt us.
That team are in third place and have a well-managed squad who seem to be
salivating at the prospect of kicking Milan while we are down… in 13th place. So
whatever your vice is, alcohol, chocolate, or whatever, I would strongly
encourage you to indulge before this match. It could go well, I suppose, but it’s
more likely going to go badly, with all of our –exes scoring on us. That’s how
it goes with Milan flashbacks.
This post
inspired by the music of Oasis’ “Don’t Look Back in Anger”
Serie A Week 6
Sassuolo vs. Milan
Sunday, September
30 • 20:30 CEST (2:30pm EDT)
This match will be
shown LIVE on RAI Italia in the U.S.
Can also be
streamed on ESPN+