Some matches don’t seem like much on the surface. Then you
look at the table and look at the time in the season and other factors, and
realize that this game could be very important in the big scheme of things. For
example, Torino are showing signs of climbing up the table, and they are only
four points behind us going into this match. Meanwhile, Milan would be only one
point behind Inter with a win in this match. That’s one point behind third
place, leaving Lazio a full three points behind us, too. That would be massive
right now. Especially with our injuries and playing a team that does so well away. So maybe this game is
bigger than you think.
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| Is the rooster ready to return? Or can we keep him in his pen? |
Torino are coming off of a 2-0 midweek victory over Südtirol
in the Coppa Italia to put them into the next round. And last weekend, they
beat Genoa 2-1, too. Mazzari had some health issues that saw him sit out a week
or so, but he is back, and along with him, Torino’s determination to do
something big this season. For the match against Genoa, he lined up Sirigu;
Izzo, N’Koulou, Djidji; De Silvestri, Rincon, Meite, Ansaldi; Falque; Belotti,
and Zaza. Granted, they scored two goals against Genoa, who were on ten men,
and whose owner sacked their coach (again) after that loss. They will also have tired legs from their Coppa Italia match. But still, they are
a threat, even away.
Milan have rallied together in spite of injuries, and not
even missing such an important player like Fabio Borini can break their
spirits. That’s right, Borini is injured. But don’t be despondent, Montolivo is
called up, so you can still dream of being dazzled by mediocrity. In good
news, Strinic is training hard to get fit again by the end of the month, and
Musacchio and Romagnoli are back in training, although it remains to be seen
exactly when they will return. Until that time, we will have to rely on former
Torino player Abate as a center back. Bonaventura’s season is over, but Biglia
and Caldara are working to return within the next 4-6 weeks.
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| How can we play without such an important player? |
Inter and Lazio dropping points is a curse and a blessing.
It opens the door for us to catch up, but it’s a curse because we always choke
when they give us these opportunities. There is this twinge of optimism in me
that says the injuries have forged a strength in this team that will be able to
break our curse and pull off the three points in spite of ourselves. Or maybe
it’s just wishful thinking, but either way, I hope it comes true. Because this
game is maybe bigger than you think.
This post
inspired by the music of the Stone Temple Pilots’ “Big Bang Baby”
Serie A Week 15
Milan vs. Torino
Sunday, December 9
• 20:30 CET (3:30pm EST)
This match will be
shown LIVE on RAI Italia America in the U.S.
It is also
available for streaming on ESPN+