Friday started out looking very bleak, with the news breaking that Elliott were in serious talks to sell the club, most likely very quickly, and to another investment fund. After such positive financial news lately, putting everything into question was the last thing the team needed to be worrying about on gameday. But they did not seem to be distracted, and in fact, pulled off a number of miracles in front of the 70,259 fans at the San Siro. Between missing players, breaking our scoring drought, a seventh clean sheet, and more, this match turned into an Easter miracle.
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| Messias scores on Good Friday, then points to... |
The first miracle was Kalulu's perfect cross all the way from the right side of the pitch over to Leão, whose volley hit the post and bounced in past Sirigu. 1-0 Milan. Wait, that was a couple of miracles, especially considering that Calabria was supposed to have been playing at right back, but got sick at the last minute, which is why Kalulu was there instead. But seriously, that cross.
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| The miracle of the cross |
Gabbia replaced Calabria, but obviously played in the center instead of Kalulu. Gabbia's contribution was a shot on our own goal, forcing Maignan into one of only two real saves on the night. The young center back was then subbed off in the 74th, looking possibly injured (or maybe just exhausted or perhaps a liability?) In his place was Krunić, who then played on the right, while Kalulu moved to the center. That we kept a clean sheet with that revolving makeshift defense truly is a miracle.
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| A sight for sore eyes |
Milan only took ten shots, but five of them were on target. The second goal was scored by Messias, who rebounded his own shot that had been parried by Sirigu, making no mistake the second time. 2-0 Milan. That's right, Messias scored on Good Friday. Talk about an Easter miracle.
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| A second goal to resurrect our scoring |
Pioli's substitutions seemed a little desperate, but worked out in the end. He brought Rebić and Messias on for Giroud and Saelemaekers, the latter who could not make a shot on target to save his life tonight. Then Krunić at right back, then Ballo-Touré on for an exhausted Leão, and Brahim Díaz for Bennacer. I had forgotten that we even still had Ballo-Touré, I think this was his first appearance this calendar year at least. So that we won with those substitutions – also a miracle.
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| Also miraculous to see Kjaer, who returned to Milanello this week, having been injured vs. Genoa in December |
The final miracle was Maignan's super save on Hernani's header from a corner in the final minute. I believe it was Genoa's only shot on target, and Maignan got down and saved it right on the line. So many people are calling Maignan the player of the season for Milan, and they forget that he missed two months with a broken hand, and has still been that valuable to us.
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| The source of so many miracles this season |
Considering that Inter had played Spezia right before this one and taken all three points, a game that was fairly reffed, unlike our match against the same team, winning this was particularly important. Everyone keeps talking about how many points Milan have dropped to teams in the lower half of the table this season without acknowledging that at least five of those points were due to egregious referee and VAR errors that were acknowledged by the AIA and others. That made this match even more miraculous, playing another lower table team and not having any points stolen from us. Sad that we have to be so grateful for something every team deserves, but truly an Easter miracle.
This post inspired by the music of U2's "40"
Buona Pasqua!
Reviewed by Elaine
on
11:00 PM
Rating:
