Milan have been so inconsistent this season, but the one
thing they have been consistent on is conceding goals. But their second half
meltdowns were becoming all too familiar, too. So what a refreshing surprise
that after conceding a goal in the first half, they managed to step it up in
the second half and win in style. And to add to the feel-good win, the goals
were scored by our returning-from-injury strikers.
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| Scoring a brace on return from injury is an ideal comeback |
In the sixth minute, Bonaventura did all he could to score a
goal. He was onside, his strike was perfect, the ball was heading into the net.
And then Castillejo, who was not onside, impulsively tried to tap it in and it
was called off. Had he not touched it, Milan would have been winning. This kind
of “teamwork” did not bode well at all, and Bonaventura could have really used
the boost of that goal because he’s not been playing at his best lately.
Things went from bad to worse when Biglia fouled Guerrero in
the 13th minute, only for Guerrero to retaliate in the form of a goal a minute
later. 1-0 Olympiacos. (I am not going to mention that Zapata was marking him
or that he proved why he’s been rotting on the bench repeatedly throughout the
game, because I still want to cling to last year’s Zapata, who was solid
whenever called upon.)
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| Turning the game around |
There were some good chances, and Olympiacos had a couple,
too, but Milan settled into their wasteful shot ways, and fear settled into the
hearts of Milan fans everywhere. But then, in the 54th, Gattuso subbed early
and subbed well. He brought on Cutrone and Calhanoglu for Castilejo and
Bonaventura. And as if that wasn’t enough, he also switched tactics. Mid-match.
It was like he listened to the last podcast or something. Certainly, it
was a tactical miracle for us fans.
So in the 70th, Cutrone scored a brilliant goal to equalize
from a great cross from Rodriguez. 1-1. Higuain, not to be outdone, got a great
cross from Calhanoglu and scored in the 76th to make it 2-1 Milan. And as if
going for a walk in the park, Cutrone flicked the ball into the back of the net
from a great assist from Calhanoglu, who had the vision to see Olympiacos’
defensive vacuum. 3-1 Milan. I believe Gattuso is campaigning to change the “mercy
rule” to the “Borini rule.” In the 80 th, after we scored three goals in nine
minutes, he pulled the amazing Suso off and replaced him with Borini,
effectively bringing Milan to ten men.
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| "Maybe those guys on that podcast had a good idea" |
At the half, it was difficult to believe Milan would be able
to do more than even draw, if we were lucky. But Gattuso managed to do what he
hadn’t achieved before, which is sub early, sub well, and change tactics
successfully mid-match. And by doing that, the players responded, and we got
the result. Even more exciting to have our strikers back from injury. For a
dreaded midweek match, this ended so much better than we could have hoped. It
went from the continuing saga of Milan disappointment to the feel-good story of
the comeback kids.
This post inspired by the music of Cigarettes
After Sex
Our next match is
Serie A Week 7
Milan vs. Chievo
Sunday, October 7
• 18:00 CEST (9am EDT)