Shamrock Rovers 0, AC Milan 2: Don’t Put Pineapple on Pizza

Milan's marketing team scored a big loss today, as they promised to have the game accessible on their app in countries it was not being televised. That did not happen. Luckily, AC Milan's players are much better at doing what they promise. Which ended up being a fail for Shamrock Rovers' sponsor PaddyPower, because they tried to troll AC Milan with the giant banners in the stadium. I guess the lesson learned today is don't make promises you can't keep, and don't put pineapple on pizza.

This will always be your downfall

Credit to Shamrock Rovers, they played very well, they just maybe needed a bit more luck. Or maybe they were pineapple-logged from their pizza. Either way, they put up a good fight. Fortunately for us, it is a fight that we won. Ibrahimovic scored a great goal in the 23rd to put us ahead, with an assist from Calhanoglu. 1-0 Milan. Gigio had a couple of saves in the first half, and Ibrahimovic, Castillejo, and Calhanoglu all had chances, too.

Not weighed down by pineapple

The second half started out with the only yellow card of the game, for Shamrock Rovers. Apparently, the Hungarian ref collects cards himself, and didn't want to give any away, even if the players were in mortal danger. Calhanoglu took a fantastic bicycle kick that hit the post, and that rebounded out and was played to Calabria, who took a great shot that was saved by Mannus. 

Ibrahimovic opens our European scoring adventure

That was followed up by a powerful Calhanoglu free kick that Mannus did well to get his fingers on to save it in the 59th. Finally, in the 57th, Calhanoglu got his goal, with an assist from Saelemaekers. 2-0 Milan. Gigio was called into action a few times to make some huge saves, but he was always up to task. Wearing the captain's armband and keeping a clean sheet seem to be just two of his superpowers.

Tonali and Brahim Diaz came on in the 84th to get a few minutes in their European debut for Milan. It is great that we have such talent to draw from the bench, and we know that being so young, it won't be long before they will be the starters.

He could have easily had 3 goals on his own

Some lessons are harder to learn than others. Gazidis learned tonight that if you stab Milan legends in the back and fire them, then make promises to fans but don't deliver, the fans will remember. We never forget. Especially when you rob us of your legends and our team that is playing so well. Shamrock Rovers learned tonight that if you're facing a team bookended with a 6'5" striker and a 6'5" goalkeeper, you've got trouble. Oh, and also, don't put pineapple on pizza.

This post inspired by the music of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

Our next round is

Serie A Week 1

Milan vs. Bologna

Monday, September 21 • 20:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)