Milan secured a top seven finish last week, so are now only playing to improve their position on the table. With so many tough games behind us, and a few injuries, they could have just showed up and played this game at less than 100%. However, they absolutely showed up to win, albeit with a devil-may-care feeling about them.
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| Making it look so easy |
Ibrahimovic opened the scoring almost immediately, with a great Rebic assist in the fourth minute. 1-0 Milan. Sampdoria did not roll over, a testament to the team who had nothing to really gain or lose in this match. They fought shot for shot, testing Gigio but not breaking the plane. At the same time, Milan continued to attack, taking 20 shots in all with nine of those on target. The first half would finish 1-0, with Rebic earning an extra day off for his vacation after being given a yellow card for a foul on the spectacularly bandaged head man (Gastón Ramirez.)
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| 9 goals and 8 assists, no fans. Maybe there's a correlation? |
The second half started with Milan more focused and determined to accumulate some goals. The 52nd saw Calhanoglu slot one home, with an assist from Ibrahimovic, which was initially whistled off for a foul in the box. However, after VAR review, Pasqua rightfully determined that his marker had simply slipped, and it was 2-0 Milan. They traded niceties just a few minutes later when Ibrahimovic would score his second, with a Calhanoglu assist. 3-0 Milan.
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| The self-proclaimed "Benjamin Button" with the brace |
Milan seemed to be coasting through, despite efforts like Quagliarella testing Gigio twice within less than a minute in the 60th. Sampdoria finally caught a break when ex-Milan reject Bertolacci was fouled in the box by Kjaer in the 78th, in search of an Academy Award. After a VAR review, Pasqua rightfully gave the penalty. But in an act of pure Karma and also a lot of talent, Captain Gigio saved the penalty. That is his fourth penalty save this season.
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| Even better with the armband on |
Milan were shocked by another team with a nice goal from a young new player, the Norwegian Askildsen, who scored one for Samp in the 87th to make it 3-1 Milan. But Leao, who always looks like he has a devil-may-care attitude, making it all look so easy, refused to leave the pitch without scoring one himself. In the second minute of stoppage time, he took a pass from Bonaventura and slotted it home effortlessly. 4-1 Milan.
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| Devil-may care |
The clean sheet would have been nice, but a testament to Ranieri’s side, they did not show up for a training match. They had dangerous attempts, 19 in all, six on target, but in the end, were held by a confident, attacking side. Yes, that’s right, I just used both the words “confident” and “attacking” in reference to Milan. It seems like the devil cares, very much, actually. But they are enjoying themselves as well. That makes it so much easier for us fans to enjoy it, too. We go into the final match of the season with great performances and a wealth of confidence. Yet they’re making it look so easy, as if the devil may care.
This post inspired by the music of INXS’ “Devil Inside”
Our final match is
Serie A Week 38
Milan vs. Cagliari
Saturday, August 1 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)