Milan 3, Roma 1: The Fall of Roma

Roma are out of the Coppa Italia, and Milan are through to the semifinals. In a cruel twist of fate, it was a Roma-owned player who scored a brace to put Milan in front. And Milan's marquee transfer window signings, on their debuts, who connected to seal Roma's fate in Milan's 3-1 win at San Siro. Roma did not lie down and take it quietly, they fought like gladiators for their Coppa lives. But the fans at San Siro actually supported their team for once, and provided Milan with the edge they needed to defend against the incessant attacks. And the world witnessed the fall of Roma.

Roma's downfall caused by their own player.

After each goalkeeper had saved a shot, in the 14th minute, Abraham went down in the box after contact with Hummels. The referee, Piccinini, did not stop play, and VAR did not intervene, either. Perhaps that just increased the motivation, because just two minutes later, Reijnders took a shot that Svilar had to parry away, and Theo chased it down and crossed it in where Tammy Abraham had jumped and seemed to be momentarily hanging in the air, waiting for the ball to connect. The epitome of a towering header, as Abraham, who is already 6'4" (193 cm) standing, was well above anyone else. His aim was lethal, sending it past his own Roma goalkeeper, Svilar. 1-0 Milan.

Tammy the Punisher.

Kyle Walker, who had talked to Tammy before choosing to come to Milan, jumped on Abraham's back as the team and stadium erupted with joy. This was a fantastic start for a single elimination match that could potentially lead to another trophy. Unfortunately, Roma were not nearly as happy about this. Despite the final scoreline, Roma tormented Milan for 90 minutes, and had more shots and even one more shot on target than Milan when the final whistle blew.

What they did not count on was the strong defense that Theo, Pavlović, Tomori, and Walker have forged these past few matches, or how insanely good Maignan has been this season. He had six saves in this match alone, even facing someone like Dybala, who has a World Cup medal at home.

Part defender, part destroyer, all Milan.

There were certainly some scares for Milan fans in the first half. Like when Maignan had to send the ball over from a Shomorudov shot in the 23rd. Or Pisilli's header that actually hit the crossbar. Of his big save on Dybala in the 31st minute. Or Maignan's save on Dybala's excellent free kick just before halftime. Roma will certainly lament that they could not be just a little more clinical. 

Or that their defense did not make such glaring errors. in the 42nd minute, they made the error of letting one Theo Hernández slip past them. He is difficult to keep up with when you start out from the same spot, but once he is past you, there is simply no catching him. And Tammy Abraham also ran clear and was completely unmarked in the middle, so once again, Theo sent it to Tammy, who sent it home. 2-0 Milan.

The Tammy-Theo combination was key to the fall of Roma.

Ranieri did his best to try to make up for the deficit, making three changes at halftime. But Conceição's halftime speeches are motivating enough to turn matches around, so with a two-nil lead, Milan were more motivated than ever. In the 49th minute, Walker had a header that Svilar, the guy with the cartoon villain facial hair, had to push over. Tammy sent a dangerous cross in that Svilar had to deal with. And just when Milan were looking dangerous, Roma struck.

In the 54th minute, Angeliño, the guy with the haircut that looks like someone laid a bad carpet sample on his head, sent the ball in for Dovbyk, who scored at the near post. Now it was just 2-1 Milan. Saelemaekers was emboldened by this, and took a momentary reprieve from the Theo-Saelemaekers battle and took a shot that Maignan saved. But Roma were unprepared for what was coming.

Imported from Mexico to destroy Roma.

In the 58th minute, Conceição introduced into the match (and to the San Siro) two of Milan's marquee signings, Santiago Gimenez and João Félix. They replaced Milan's MVP Tammy Abraham and Pulisic, and the excitement was in the air. Theo had a free kick that was just wide, he's already scored one like that this year. Then, in the 63rd, Álex Jiménez, who was phenomenal in this one, actually scored a goal, but it was disallowed as he was offside.

Even though Roma had gotten themselves back in the game, it was Milan who were now dominating chances. Musah had a shot saved. The very entertaining Theo vs. Saelemaekers drama continued. Pavlović was harassing Dybala. And Manu Koné earned himself the only yellow card of the match for fouling João Félix.

Another "Chelsea reject" to rehabilitate.

Things went from bad to worse when in the 70th minute, Leão was subbed on for Álex Jiménez. It almost seemed unfair. (So this is what it's like to have depth in attack?) Just a minute later, the magic we all wanted actually manifested. Santiago Gimenez sent the ball forward and João Félix chipped the keeper, a cucchiaio, or "spoon," as they call it in Italian. 3-1 Milan. The San Siro went insane. The new guys had just arrived, had been on the pitch less than 15 minutes, and had already connected for a goal. It was like a dream. (Or a nightmare if you are a Roma fan.)

The vibes were almost cut short less than five minutes later, when Reijnders was battling in front of goal and accidentally headed it past Maignan. Own goal. I know my heart sank. He's been having such an amazing season. But... Piccinini was listening to his headset. There was a VAR check. It turns out that Dovbyk was offside ahead of the goal, so it was disallowed. Reijnders' error was saved by a Roma error, and the score stayed at 3-1 Milan.

Serie A is not going to know what hit them.

Tomori had a great block in front of our goal, and Leão collided with Koné, the only player on a card. The replay looked very much like he was trying to draw the foul... is that what Conceição was talking about teaching them? Reijnders had a free kick that went wide. Roma had a few attempts, then Conceição introduced Sottil, replacing Musah, in the 90th minute. Roma's last real effort was when Rensch just sent it soaring into the stands. Roma had fallen.

Therapists worldwide must be making a fortune from Milan fans because of the actions of this inept management. Just last weekend, going into the Derby, the mood at the club was so poor with Morata and Calabria leaving, (and then Bennacer, too,) and so much of the transfer market uncertain. Just a few days later, with some key signings and a nice Coppa Italia win, it feels like a completely different club altogether. Like someone flipped a switch.

And introducing our token Italian player, who also scores goals as a pastime.

A hard fought draw in the Derby where every call went our way, then defeating Roma, which is also always delicious, to move on to the Coppa Italia Semifinals, and this has turned out to be a very good week. Add to that the positive profiles of our new signings, and there have actually been a few moments I can almost forget that this club is owned by an ignorant, narcissistic, greedy businessman who has systematically taken all the Milan out of Milan. Success often  comes at a price, but we didn't have a say in them removing the heart and soul of Milan, so we may as well at least enjoy the success... while it lasts. So I plan to thoroughly enjoy the fall of Roma.

Milan in the Semis by Winning the Coppa Italia Primavera Quarterfinal Derby!

Celebrating the wiin after the final penalty.

The Primavera Derby in the Coppa Italia was everything you could want in a Derby – an own goal, a missed penalty, tied at the end of regulation, and going to penalties. However, after a 2-2 draw in regulation, Milan Primavera triumphed 4-2 on penalties. 

Scotti battling two biscioni at once.

It started when Bakoune's shot was sent into the net by an Inter player for an own goal. 1-0 Milan. Inter Primavera came back and scored two great goals, but then Liberali scored a golazzo in the 68th minute to draw it level.

Liberali scored a big one.

Unfortunately, after Victor Eletu was fouled in the box and a penalty awarded to Milan, Liberali sent his penalty over, hitting the top of the crossbar. So it finished at 2-2 in regulation and went to penalties.

Longoni denying Inter's penalties. Twice.

Longoni started strong by saving the first Inter penalty. Bonomi, Perrucci, Victor Eletu, and Perina all scored their penalties, while Longoni also saved Inter's third penalty. So Milan Primavera won 4-2 on penalties.

Running into the semifinals.

There are highlights of the match available, and also a recap of the penalties. Guidi's boys will go through to the Semifinal, where they will face Lecce in March.

That Penalty Hero Derby Winning feeling.

This post inspired by the music of Måneskin's "La Fine"

Our next matches are:

Primavera Campionato 1 Week 24

Juventus Primavera vs. Milan Primavera

Saturday, February 8, 2025 • 13:00 CET (7am EST)

This match is not being televised in the U.S.

Serie C Week 26

Milan Futuro vs. Lucchese

Saturday, February 8, 2025 • 15:00 CET (9am EST)

This match is not being televised in the U.S.

Serie A Week 24

Empoli vs. Milan

Saturday, February 8, 2025 • 18:00 CET (12noon EST)

In the U.S., this match can be streamed on Paramount+,

or use a VPN to access better coverage