It is often said that no one cares about the Coppa Italia.
However, with Milan and Lazio both in the four or five-way battle for the last
Champions League spot, it feels like earning a berth in the Coppa Italia final
may be a consolation prize at this point. But then there is the plight of
Bakayoko. He discovered the dangers
of social media the hard way, then did a really dumb thing, for which
he was heavily fined. However, Lazio Ultras have their own twisted sense of
justice. After protesting the fact that he was not banned for his actions, they
sang racist chants against him on Wednesday during their game against Udinese.
Leaking the video out on… you guessed it… social media, they avoided
punishment. So they reportedly chanted again on Saturday in their match vs.
Chievo. Not only that, but videos are emerging that their “twinned” club,
Inter, also chanted racist insults against Bakayoko on Saturday. So consider
this an opportunity for a moral victory. Let’s win this one for Bakayoko.
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| Time for redemption |
With Italy’s bizarre rules for the Coppa Italia, the
semifinal is the only round that has two legs, and this is the second leg. The first
leg at the Olimpico ended in a scoreless draw, so Lazio have the
advantage of the opportunity of an away goal in this match. Lazio lost their
match with Chievo on Saturday, 2-1, despite having won their game in hand
against Udinese 2-0 midweek. For the Chievo match, the Other Inzaghi lined up
Strakosha; Patric, Acerbi, Radu; Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Badelj, Alberto,
Durmisi; Caicedo, and Immobile. Although both Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto
were both sent off in that match, they should be available for this match
because it is a separate competition. The Other Inzaghi is still missing Lukaku
and also likely Berisha to injury.
Gattuso should have everyone but Bonaventura available, yet
will still start Borini, obviously. Traditionally, the second keeper plays in
the Coppa Italia, so I would expect Reina in net. As for everyone else, I
suppose he’ll try to rest a few starters and give some bench players some time,
but he is so unpredictable with his changes, I could never guess which ones. It
would be nice for Bakayoko to be able to prove himself on the pitch, but it
might also be wise to keep him on the bench so as not to antagonize the Lazio
Ultras, too. At least by playing this leg at the San Siro, the entire team will
have the support of our fans. Security is on high alert for visiting Lazio
fans, given the recent tensions.
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| Please just make him stop |
This game seems almost a distraction to our focus of hanging
onto fourth place, of which we are only holding on by our head to head
record, since Atalanta beat Napoli yesterday and are now tied with us. But if
we shift the focus to a form of redemption for the horrific abuse sent Bakayoko’s
way when he wasn’t even present, this game still has some meaning. So who cares
about the Coppa Italia, I’m looking to a moral victory… for Bakayoko.
This post inspired by the music of She
Wants Revenge
Coppa Italia Semifinal Second Leg
Milan vs. Lazio
Wednesday, April
24 • 20:45 CST (2:45pm EDT)
This match can be
streamed LIVE on ESPN+ in the U.S.