Lecce-Milan Preview: In My Life (I Love You More)

They say that you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. I feel like I appreciated Milan and Serie A a lot, but after missing it for three whole months, I appreciate it on a whole new level. So as we jump back into Serie A with an away match to a team fighting for safety, all I can think of is that I get to see my Milan play again. After all we’ve been through, all I can think of is that in my life, I love you more.

Let's see that again, please

Ahead of the outbreak of COVID-19, Lecce were in the relegation zone, fighting for safety. Teams like this are so unpredictable, because they’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. Plus, home advantage… oh, wait… while we will be playing at the Stadio via del Mare, the lack of fans really makes it a neutral venue.

Without having played in three months, it is difficult to tell how Liverani will line his team up. He will be missing Donati to suspension, and Dell‘Orco to injury. Also in doubt for Monday are Deiola and Farias to fitness issues. We do know that ex-Milan players Gabriel, Saponara, and Lapadula are all available and likely to start.

The law of the exes: Those who can't score for Milan will probably score against them

Milan have the advantage of having played against Juve a little over a week ago, and then getting plenty of time to recharge. While we are still missing Ibrahimovic to injury, as well as Duarte and Musacchio, we will have Theo Hernandez and Castilljeo back. Also, Rebic, although he was sent off in the Coppa Italia match, will be available for this one because it is a league match.

Pioli’s debut in October was dampened by Lecce, when they equalized twice to take points from us. Milan looked shaky against Juve, then improved in the second half, and one has to believe that despite all of the rumors that Pioli’s job will end in August, the team are ready to fight for him. Just as long as Gazidis doesn’t fire anyone the day before or talk salary negotiations two days before, we should be able to play some decent football.

For Pioli

I have dreamed of this match for three long, lonely months. In my mind, I don’t even think the result matters anymore. We have been through so much as a global society that simply being able to watch football again is like an oasis in this awful desert. Lecce have nothing to lose, Milan want a European spot, but I just want some decent football. Or any football, really. Milan, in my life, I love you more.

This post inspired by the music of The Beatles’ “In My Life (I Love You More)”

Serie A Week 27

Lecce vs. Milan

Monday, June 22 • 19:30 CEST (1:30pm EDT)

This match will be shown LIVE on ESPN in the U.S.