Milan have secured sixth place, and all that’s left is to play for the final three points and our undefeated streak. Well, that and to debut next year’s kits. Because the team has played so well since the restart, new kit sales are up 1700% from their first week last year. Maybe that will show Gazidis why it is important to not sabotage the sporting side, it actually does translate into income. But tomorrow’s match will be slightly bittersweet, as it will be the last time we will see some of these players in a Milan kit. This run of form since the break has been nothing short of magical, and I for one don’t want it to end. Don’t dream it’s over.
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| It's not over 'till the big guy scores... again |
Cagliari humiliated the Scudetto winners Juventus on Wednesday and helped to put Cristiano Ronaldo’s Capocannoniere dreams at risk, too, by thrashing them 2-0 at the Sardegna. I’m not sure if they will feel invincible or just be worn out from celebrating, but it was their first win in nine games. Former Inter keeper-turned-manager Zenga faced Juventus with Cragno; Walukiewicz, Ceppitelli, Klavan; Faragò, Ionita, Rog, Mattiello; João Pedro; Gagliano, and Simeone. He will be missing Nainggolan, Luca Pellegrini, and Oliva to injury. Marko Rog will be suspended for this match as well. However, he will have the legendary Valter Birsa and also Paloschi, both Milan exes, available for this one.
Pioli meets with Maldini next week to make plans for the transfer market, but until then, he is focused on taking all three points from Cagliari again, after our 2-0 win in January, and giving fans another amazing performance. He will have to do that without Rebic, unfortunately, who is suspended for card accumulation. Also missing are Romagnoli and Musacchio to injury, and both Conti and Calabria are in doubt as of this writing.
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| Facing the Slovenian Messi... again |
We couldn’t wait for football to be back, and now it’s hard to see the season end. Especially since Italian authorities are already doing what they do best: argue about everything to prevent football from happening. While they bring the drama back up to argue starting the new season anywhere from mid-September to October, then they will go on to argue about protocols for COVID-19, whether to have fans, and whether or not the captain’s armbands are uniform enough, we have this one last match to savor with this squad. Don’t dream it’s over.
This post inspired by the music of Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over”
Serie A Week 38
Milan vs. Cagliari
Saturday, August 1 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)
This match can be streamed LIVE on ESPN+ in the U.S.