Playing against Roma is always a battle, but sometimes more combative than one would like. This match was definitely far more action-packed than the scoreline would indicate, and much of that action ended up being less about football and more about brutality. However, at the final whistle, Milan won 1-0 over Roma in a very hard fought victory with unlikely heroes. And, despite Roma's best efforts, I believe all our players escaped injury, which is another victory in and of itself. It was the kind of match that was violent enough to be unsettling, but a victory that meant more later because of both the battle and the result. That can happen when your team are called upon to be reluctant Gladiators.
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| Winning when it matters. |
There was a sad moment in which there was a tribute to Giovanni Galeone, who had mentored both Allegri and Gasperini, and had passed away earlier that day. Allegri mentioned him solemnly in his Press Conference afterward, because he had been an figure in his footballing career. But after the tribute, the violence football began. Roma actually came into the match in full attack mode. Beginning with our former wantaway Cristante's warning shot in the first minute that went wide, and continuing with El Aynaoui's shot in just the seventh minute that Maignan saved all the way through multiple shots each from Ndicka, Wesley, and Dybala, the first 35 minutes or so, Milan's goal was under siege. It seemed as though a Roma goal was inevitable, it was just a matter of when.
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| Even when the world is against Leão, he smiles amidst every type of abuse. |
Speaking of under siege, in the 10th minute, when Leão had been fouled and was looking for even just a whistle on the play, audible monkey chants could be heard being directed his way from the visitor's section. This would be a perfect opportunity to put that new facial recognition technology into use that is meant to be in both Curvas now. And yet, we have heard nothing about any Roma fans having been identified, let alone charged or banned for their racist abuse of Leão. Even worse, Milan did not even make a public statement in support of their own player. Sometimes, I wonder how Leão's head doesn't explode trying to stay mentally strong, he endures so much.
There was a brief stoppage in play when Svilar had a small issue with his calf, and it was just after this that the magic happened. While Leão dribbled like lightning down the left flank, our "best striker," Pavlović, sprinted from our area all the way into Roma's penalty area in just 13.27 seconds. So, when Leão crossed the ball in perfectly, for once, someone was there, and Pavlović slotted it home past his compatriot Svilar to make it 1-0 Milan.
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| Superstar Milan defender, winger, bomber, and now Papa-to-be? |
Even better, he used his celebration to announce that he was going to be a papa. And after the picture he posted of himself as a baby for Mother's Day this year, imagining a baby Pavlović storming down into the opposition's penalty area just like him honestly made the goal that much better. The goal completely changed the dynamics of the match and switched the momentum Milan's way, with Fofana sending what should have been a goal painfully just wide moments before the half. It's difficult to know who was more frustrated about that, him or the fans.
The second half, Roma barely had any chances, as Milan instead became the attacking protagonists. Ricci's shot went just wide, Fofana had a shot on target, but it was saved. Likewise, Leão had a fantastic shot, but that was also saved. In the 50th minute, Nkunku helped Roma by first deflecting the ball into the post and then back out. Mr. Striker, Pavlović, took another shot that was saved, as was Ricci's shot in the 52nd. Then the battle really began.
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| Securing our defense and securing our win. |
First Gabbia was down, then Leão. With the rate that Milan has been collecting injuries, every time a player goes down, it is terrifying. Pellegrini took a low effort shot that did not challenge Maignan. Then, in the 68th, Svilar made one save, and Hermoso made a miraculous goal line clearance on a point blank attempt from Leão. I usually enjoy goal line clearances, but they are less fun when the other team makes them.
Roma were collecting yellow cards left and right, by the 75th minute, they had three of their five yellows collected for unsolicited Gladiator warfare. Fofana got in on the action and was shown a yellow for a studs up foul on Lorenzo Pellegrini in the 78th minute. That is his third yellow of the season, so he will need to be careful. This is where things really began to unravel, and Guida struggled to maintain control. It took him a full two minutes to get everyone into position for Pellegrini's free kick.
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| Maignan truly had Fofana's back on a night the midfielder would probably like to forget. |
And, to make matters worse, Fofana was called for a pretty obvious handball on that free kick, which Guida rightfully awarded them a penalty for. The deplorable rubbish reject that is Mancini purposely bumping into Maignan's shoulder while setting up for the penalty is probably what fueled our captain's anger and focus. Dybala, who was a perfect 18 for 18 in his penalties at Roma ahead of this shot, stood up to took the penalty. And Maignan saved it. I could kiss that guy, it was so amazing. And the score stayed 1-0 for Milan. This also deservedly earned him the Serie A Player of the Match and Milan's MVP awards. Hopefully, Fofana took Mike to dinner or something for having his back after conceding the free kick and the penalty back to back.
Poor Roma also lost Dybala, who injured himself trying to take the penalty. Karma is not kind, and the events at the Stadio Olimpico at the end of last season with Roma fans are probably the other reason that Roma did not end up on the scoresheet. Not to mention the exquisite Schadenfreude of watching Gasperini fall to his knees as if in physical pain when Dybala's penalty was saved.
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| Dybala was not getting that penalty past Maignan. |
There had been a lot of "furbo" behaviors ahead of the penalty to intimidate Dybala, and one was Pavlović taking a stroll right across the ball on the spot, which Hermoso took issue with. After the penalty save, though, Hermoso took his life into his own hands when he tried to pick a fight with Pavlović. Like Pavlović is four inches (10 cm.) taller than him, and is a player you would never want to meet in a dark alley. Or maybe even in a well-lit alley during the day.
Why Hermoso slammed into him, I don't know, but at least Guida carded him for it, especially since Pavlović definitely went to ground to call attention to it (something that has been discussed a lot this season.) The whole reluctant Gladiator thing was really starting to get out of control. Allegri took that opportunity to make his very first sub in the 84th minute, bringing on Loftus-Cheek for Nkunku. And a few minutes later, Athekame for Saelemaekers, who looked to have possibly been injured after yet another collision with Wesley.
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| Nkunku's new hairstyle made an impact on Sunday, but unfortunately, his football really didn't. |
Saelemaekers had been provoked by Wesley and was also very provocative himself all night. From early on in the match, Wesley, who replaced Saelemaekers at Roma this season, roughed up our Belgian disruptor a little extra, and it deteriorated from there. After having shoved him out of bounds in the 73rd minute, Saelemaekers taunted Wesley by literally sticking his tongue out in Wesley's face while he was on the ground. He made Theo's old antics look angelic in comparison. Wesley retaliated with a foul a minute later that earned him a card and Saelemaekers' wrath. Gabbia pulled Saelemaekers away, Allegri tried calming him with a hug, and Cristante, Roma's captain, shielded his teammate from our Red Devil with both his body and some words. But needless to say, Saelemaekers was wound up.
When Maignan made his penalty save on Dybala, Saelemaekers turned and celebrated with a primal roar. Whether or not he intended to do this right in Guida's face, or if he was merely trying to avoid an altercation with his former Roma teammates, it is difficult to know. But Guida was right there, and did not appreciate the ferocity of Saelemaekers' celebration. And he reacted. He stepped forward into Saelemaekers, kicking his foot. The referee. Kicked a player.
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| Saelemaekers got under Wesley's skin like no one else could. |
Many overlooked this interaction, or have downplayed it, but Saelemaekers and Guida could be seen pointing at one another and heatedly exchanging words during the ensuing free kick. This was an aggressive act in the heat of the moment by Guida, there was nothing friendly about it. And the fact that Guida did not card Saelemaekers when he was going back and forth with him proves that he knew he had done something egregiously wrong.
Referees cannot touch players or even react like that. Maintaining control of matches is difficult enough, but to keep their authority, they are drilled to remain calm, emotionless, and help diffuse situations, not incite them. Particularly since violence and abuse of referees has become an increasing problem in recent years, they are mandated to remain calm at all costs. If Guida did not appreciate Saelemaekers screaming in his face initially, he can and should have shown him a yellow card, or at least given him a verbal warning. That is his job. But he crossed a line and used physical contact and intimidation instead.
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| Even a player might be carded for what Guida did. Except he's the one who gives out cards. |
But here is the most infuriating part of this interaction: The AIA is not going to sanction Guida in any way. And this is the same Guida who has a penchant for making glaring, suspension-worthy errors, too, whether on VAR duty or on the pitch. Like making horrific calls has seen multiple referees suspended so far this season, but a referee doing something so shocking and against everything referees are meant to do, nothing. This sets such a terrible precedent for both referees and players throughout the entire league. And I am sure Saelemaekers is not happy about it, either. Whenever improper behavior goes unpunished, it is then assumed that one can get away with it. And this is not the kind of incident that should be repeated ever again.
Speaking of incidents, in the 90th minute, in the box, Mancini shoved Bartesaghi a bit, Ndicka ran into Mancini, and they both landed hard on Bartesaghi, who was a bit twisted under the weight of the two Roma players. And, in true scumbag fashion, Mancini was yelling at Maignan, our captain, who had pulled Mancini off his own teammate, since the Roma douchebag was taking his sweet time getting up.
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| The clean sheet specialists. |
Again, Maignan has about 26 pounds (12 kg.) of muscle mass on Mancini, and kickboxes for relaxation. Why Mancini thought he would win that confrontation is beyond me, but he's also not very intelligent in addition to being a gigantic reeking, putrid pukestain. And the fact that Pavlović was playing peacemaker here tells you just how heated things were getting.
In the 91st minute, Ndicka elbowed Pavlović in the face in the box. Again, it was bloodsport. After Ndicka sent a shot wide while Leão had been seen cramping up, Allegri sent in Tomori to replace Leão and reinforce the defense for the final couple of minutes of stoppage time. Ndicka also shouldered Gabbia in the back in the 94th minute, sending him flying to ground. The sleazebucket waste of space that is Gianluca Mancini had been harassing Guida like a Karen asking to speak to the manager. He took it too far, earning himself a yellow card for his complaints in the 95th minute. Deserved. And still, he kept going. Like I said, not very bright.
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| Beauty overcomes violence. |
When the final whistle blew, the Milan players celebrated as if they had defeated a pack of actual feral wolves, and had earned their freedom after being retained for gladatorial combat. Allegri's 1-0 defensive wins are not good for the heart or circulatory system, but are so much better than frightful draws. But it was a massive three points that put us even on points with Inter and Roma, taking away Roma's top of the table advantage, and leaving Napoli only one point ahead of these three teams at the top. With the Curva Sud and the San Siro fully behind them, having been provoked, attacked, battered, bruised, and with even the referee crossing the line, our players emerged triumphant, despite having been ensnared in Roma's violence and becoming reluctant Gladiators.
Milan Primavera draw 1-1 with Lazio Primavera
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| Captain Pippo Scotti celebrates his early goal. |
This season, three of four of Milan Primavera's wins have been playing away. However, this trip to Rome to face Lazio, they were missing three starters in Longoni, Lontani, and Pandolfi, who are all away representing Italy at the U17 World Cup in Qatar. Given those circumstances, a 1-1 draw with Lazio Primavera was still a positive result for Renna's boys.
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| 16 year-old Bianchi warms up ahead of his memorable first start for the Primavera. |
Things started off in the worst way, conceding a goal from Lazio's Cristo Muñoz in just the ninth minute. For perspective, Muñoz is 20, the maximum age of this league, and the Milan goalkeeper is just 16 years old. However, undaunted, captain Pippo Scotti scored a header from an Ossola cross just seven minutes later to equalize, 1-1 all. Milan were awarded a penalty late in the first half, but unfortunately, Mancioppi's effort was saved by the Lazio goalkeeper. There was also a Milan goal called back for offside in the 64th, that is how close Milan Primavera came to getting all three points from this one.
With Longoni away, 16 year-old Bianchi got his first start in goal this season, and he made it a memorable one, with a brilliant save in the 77th minute. Milan truly have so many talented young goalkeepers right now. This match also saw the debuts of Angelicchio and some kid called Denzel Viana Seedorf (yes, the 18 year-old son of that Seedorf,) who both were able to be subbed on during this one. Brief highlights are available.
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| "Il Professore's" son, Denzel Viana Seedorf, made his debut as a sub in this match. |
While the win would have been ideal, coming home with a point is still a positive result. That makes four wins, four draws, and two losses this season for this young side, and they sit in seventh place in the Campionato. They will host 13th place Juventus Primavera on Saturday
Milan Futuro Defeat Oltropò FBC 2-1
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| Diego Sia celebrates his goal with Chaka Traorè, the provider. |
After the midweek disappointment of crashing out in the Coppa Italia Serie D, Milan Futuro redeemed themselves with a second consecutive win in the league, a 2-1 victory over Oltropò FBC. Victor Eletu's spectular free kick curled into the net in just the seventh minute to put Futuro ahead 1-0 over the visitors. Six yellow cards later, Milan conceded a goal with a tragic defensive error in the 77th minute. But Diego Sia came back with a goal in the 84th, assisted by Chaka Traoré on his return from injury to complete the win, 2-1 Milan Futuro.
Brief highlights are available, or you can watch the full match here. Milan Futuro are tied on points with the fourth and fifth place teams, but sit in sixth place on Group B of Serie D. They will face Nuova Sondrio Calcio away on Sunday.