Milan fans are traumatized by results against Genoa under Pioli. We are traumatized by Milan's poor performances for the lunchtime games. We are traumatized by the poor results at the San Siro this season. Fans may also remember that this was our last fixture before the world shut down due to COVID-19 last year, and also the day after Gazidis wrongfully fired Boban. So it is only natural to have PTSD flashbacks.
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| PTSD flashbacks... no thank you |
Unlike last year, when Genoa were in the relegation zone and fighting for survival when we met, this year, they sit in 13th place on the table. Their recent form is L-D-W-D-L, with the most recent loss being a 3-1 loss inflicted by Juventus last week. For that match, Ballardini lined up Perin; Masiello, Radovanovic, Criscito; Biraschi, Behrami, Badelj, Rovella, Zappacosta; Scamacca, and Pandev. Against Milan, Criscito is suspended, while Zappacosta and Luca Pellegrini are out injured. Keep in mind, though, that Ballardini could use ex-Milan players Zapata and Destro against us. The latter has ten goals this season, including a brace against Milan in December when we drew 2-2 with Genoa.
Pioli is down to two injuries: Calabria and Maldini. However, thanks to Maresca's bizarre sending off of Ibrahimovic last weekend, Milan will be without our Swedish talisman. Romagnoli returned to training this week after a long injury and is expected to be called up, but it is unlikely that he will play much, if at all. There are six Milan players that risk suspension against Sassuolo if they get a card in this match: Calhanoglu, Castillejo, Dalot, Theo Hernandez, Saelemaekers, and Rebic. While Pioli gave the team a day off this week, and they seemed to be having way too much fun on Friday, Pioli has not won against Genoa since coming to Milan.
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| My kind of flashback |
The omens are many and the fear is real, particularly since the race for the top four spots is so tight. There is one good omen, though. Yesterday, the news broke that Boban is being appointed Chief Football Officer at UEFA, the same position he held at FIFA prior to coming to Milan. Perhaps his new job will pacify Karma, and Milan will be able to dominate the 13th place team as we should. But it is a lunchtime game, and we do have the curse of the San Siro this season... hopefully those are non-factors this time, and I'm just having PTSD flashbacks.
This post inspired by the music of Muse's "Stockholm Syndrome"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
12:01 AM
Rating:
