This match was a delicious win after recent suffering, and
tangible evidence that Ibrahimovic is still a world class player. Although Cagliari
had more possession, it was a deserved win for Milan fans, who have been
starved for goals and wins this season. The new formation made a visible
difference in play, and the outcome was simply Ibralicious.
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| Bringing relevancy back to Milan |
The first half was tense, and it was clear that everyone
would have to adjust to Pioli’s 4-4-2. I doubt that I was alone in worrying how
long Ibrahimovic would be able to play, but he managed all 90 minutes, without
even puking like he did in 2010. How much he will be able to play of
every game is what everyone is concerned about, because more than anyone or
anything else, he has had the most immediate and dramatic effect on this Milan
team this season.
Ibrahimovic took a lovely cross from Leao in the 30th minute
and barely missed with his shot, it was a thing of beauty even without the
goal. Gigio was caught off his line in the 37th, but apparently has decided
that instead of not going off his line so much, he’ll just run back faster, and
he did, and was able to miraculously punch away the shot of impending doom.
Absolutely brilliant.
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| Second half announcement: I'm here |
After looking a little uncertain, Leao came back from the
half, took a Castillejo ball and sent a bit of a clumsy shot past the
unprepared Olsen to make it 1-0 Milan. It was not even 7am here yet, and I
could barely contain my excitement.
In the 64th minute, Bonaventura was subbed on for
Calhanoglu, and Ibrahimovic decided to open up his tally for Milan in that same
minute, taking a perfect cross for Hernandez and sniping it into the back of
the net. 2-0 Milan. Ibra would also have a goal called off in the 82nd, because
I think his nose was offside or something. And Gigio would have more
breathtaking heroics in the 70th minute, when he came out and actually beat
Cerri, much to the Cagliari player’s disappointment.
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| He's back |
There were other players and stuff, but it seemed like you
had to be 6’3” (1.9m) or taller to really make the impact in this match. The
4-4-2 was a little rusty, I wouldn’t be surprised if Pioli plays other players
in that formation, or perhaps plays the 4-3-1-2 like so many of us dream of.
Kessie took a nasty knock to his shoulder late in the game, and Calabria was
subbed off injured after going down three times with the same injury, so those
potential injuries could impact our match on Wednesday.
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| I could get used to this |
This match was far from perfect, but with the three points
and Ibra and Leao both scoring, no one is complaining right now. Ibra’s
mentality is big enough to draw the whole team together and give them
confidence and purpose, the things we’ve been missing all year. Let’s just hope
this was not a one-off, because it was absolutely Ibralicious.
This post
inspired by the music of Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy”
Our next match is
Coppa Italia Round of 16
Milan vs. SPAL
Wednesday, January
15 • 18:00 CET (12noon)