This game could have been another disappointment. The guys were exhausted after the Europa League run, and we still had six players out for this one. But when Fiorentina equalized, Milan didn't give up. Even when Fiorentina were up a goal, they never gave up. They bravely fought and clawed their way back into the match, then took all three points, like champions do. This team simply has the will to win.
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| Winning mentality |
This game was certainly not boring. Starting with a Tomori headed goal line clearance in the fifth minute, it just kept going from there. Ibrahimovic got back to face Dragowski one on one in the 9th minute, onside with a great pass from Kjaer, and just like that, it was 1-0 Milan. Unfortunately, in the 17th, Pulgar sent a missile of a free kick into the upper left corner of the net, and Gigio Donnarumma could not stop it. 1-1 all.
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| The big man with big space |
The rest of the first half was filled with failed chances, with Ibrahimovic clearing a free kick at the other end and more. In the 31st, Ribery went down in the box with virtually no contact from Brahim Diaz. It's actually surprising he didn't get a card for diving. Ibrahimovic hit the crossbar, he would also later hit the post, the woodwork was unkind to him on this night. Calhanoglu got a yellow card for dissent, and then the bearded wonder, aka Dragowski, twisted his ankle on a goal kick and had to be subbed off for Terracciano just before halftime.
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| Never give up |
The second half started out with a Dalot yellow card for a foul on Ribery. Then Ribery made us pay by scoring a goal in the 51st. 2-1 Fiorentina. But just six minutes later, Kjaer tried to send the ball in from a free kick but was battling in the box, so the mighty Brahim Diaz took that ball and sent it beyond Terracciano. 2-2 all.
Pioli brought Bennacer on for his first appearance in a long time, and he was a sight for sore eyes. A few minutes later, Gigio came all the way up to the center of the field to help keep the ball in Milan's possession, that's how much he wanted to win. Milan were getting more dangerous, and finally, in the 73rd, Kessie passed it to Calhanoglu, who sent it through at the perfect angle to beat Terracciano again. 3-2 Milan.
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| Deadly from there |
The guys fought valiantly and defended like their lives depended on it. Meite came on in the 90th, only to earn a yellow card for timewasting less than two minutes later. But when Guida blew his whistle at full time, Milan had all three points. Amazingly, both teams scored with their only shots on target, although Milan took 13 shots in all and Fiorentina only had seven.
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| Like a family |
These three points were so important to keep our Champions League hopes alive. On a night that Juventus lost to lowly Benevento, and Napoli took down Roma to draw level with them on points, this win was important to stay in the race, as well as for Milan's mentality and momentum. Now we have the international break, and hopefully we'll recover some of our injured players. Most of our players will be able to rest and recover before we face Sampdoria on April 3rd. Time will tell if Milan can hold out or not, but for tonight, they showed once again that they have the will to win.
This post inspired by the music of Queen's "We Will Rock You"