Serie A typically does not schedule matches on Easter Sunday. Although the Pope is a football fan, he frowns upon it. But this year, all hell is breaking loose anyway, so here we are, Milan is hosting Atalanta on Easter Sunday. And it's perfect, since the Easter holiday is a symbol of renewal, that Milan are trying to jumpstart their redemption arc for the rest of the season. Some genius figured out that it is still mathematically possible for Milan to finish anywhere between second and 14th. (Maybe they were celebrating 4/20 early?) Obviously, it would be an Easter miracle for Milan to even finish top four, but it would be great to at least get a better result than we did vs. Atalanta in their house in December. So let's hope for at least that Easter miracle. Buona Pasqua.
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| Let's hope Milan comes "con sorpresa" in the shape of another victory. |
Atalanta at one point were in the race for the Scudetto. Then Gasperini announced he would leave when his contract was up, and their season fell apart. Despite being a full 10 points ahead of us, now they are just trying to hang onto a Champions League spot, with the competition for third and fourth places very hot. After having lost three in a row, last week, Atalanta defeated red hot Bologna 2-0.
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| D'Amico was smart enough to sign the players Milan threw away, so now they want him for Sporting Director. |
For that match, Gasperini lined up a 3-4-2-1 with: Carnasecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolašinac; Bellanova, de Roon, Éderson, Zappacosta; former Milan player and still Milan fan, Pašalić, Lookman; and Retegui. Our former De Ketelaere had been injured, but has recovered and is on the list of players called up for this one. However, Gasperini will be missing Scalvini, Scamacca, Kolašinac, Palestra, and Posch to injury. This will be the first time we are facing Atalanta since they purchased Daniel Maldini. I don't even know what to do with that.
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| I never thought I'd see the Maldini name on a Nerazzurri shirt. |
Conceição is not being given any credit for managing the injuries so well, but he has worked miracles. For this one, he will only be missing Emerson Royal, Loftus-Cheek, and Walker. Both Maignan and Santi Giménez have fully recovered and returned to training with the team on Friday, so will be available for the match. Loftus-Cheek has a bit more time after his appendectomy, but Walker is pushing to make it back for the Coppa Italia Semifinal midweek, he had actually hoped to play for this one.
The Curva Sud have also been back in full force cheering for the team instead of protesting the last few matches, despite Scaroni making an incredibly tone deaf statement last week. For once, I actually agree with their response, calling out Scaroni and the club for not doing anything to lift the ban on banners and flags that color the stadium, making it a place without "Milanismo." Scaroni gets paid a lot of money to do virtually nothing, and that he is championing a "grey stadium" which fails to support or inspire our team, while scolding those who wish to fill it with passion tells you all you need to know about him.
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| How I hope to be celebrating Easter. |
We will see who actually comes to the stadium on Easter Sunday in Italy. Those not held hostage by Nonna and her cooking for Easter may not be able to remember how to get there because it is also 4/20. Atalanta definitely know the way, and I hope that Milan remember the way to answer them. We need every point we can from now until the end of the season. So for that miracle, I am hoping everyone who celebrates any holiday on Sunday has a good one, and that Milan makes it better. Forza Mlan e Buona Pasqua!
This post inspired by the music of Stereo MCs' "I'm a Believer"
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Campionato Primavera 1 Week 35
Reviewed by Elaine
on
3:00 AM
Rating:
