Sometimes, just when you expect the worst, Allegri's Milan will surprise you. Winning 3-0 vs. Verona for a lunchtime game on Sunday was definitely a pleasant surprise. A Nkunku brace, a clean sheet, and another goal for Pulisic, as well as a dominant performance were all part of the festivities. A shame the Curva Sud are still being restricted on their coreografia and banners, because all parties need colorful decorations, and they certainly provided a loud and supportive soundtrack throughout the match. And while Verona never really showed up for Milan's bash, it was still a very welcome surprise party.
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| Nkunku's brace was an open invitation to celebrate. |
The first half was a lot like showing up early or on time to a party. It was kind of tedious and boring, and there was not much to be excited about. Well, except for the thug tactics, of course. It's such a miracle that we did not fill Milan Lab with bodies after Verona were done with our players, they were whistled for 15 fouls to our five. And that does not include all of the physical play that was not considered to be fouls as well.
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| Loftus-Cheek came so close to getting a goal or two as well. |
Just ten minutes in, Pulisic was down, having collided heads with Nelsson. In the 18th minute, Loftus-Cheek was boxed in by no fewer than three Verona defenders, and Nelsson came in with a hard tackle on him (no card, of course,) and he required treatment for a while. But that may have helped fuel Loftus-Cheek's monstrous performance in this match. He was dangerous in attack throughout the match, and had a shot or two that went just wide, too. He also fueled Modrić's anger, who showed a lot of "passion" toward the referee, Fabbri, when he made a call against Loftus-Cheek.
Verona created a few chances in the first half, but most were chut down. In fact, Tomori had a fantastic tackle on Bradarić in the 32nd minute. But Milan were creating more and better chances, like when Rabiot sent the perfect ball into Nkunku, but Verona's defense stopped what would have been a great goal. Niasse did have a shot that went just wide, but Maignan's blood pressure didn't even really rise in the first half.
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| Pulisic is inevitable. |
Pulisic fouled Unai Núñez, Bernéde fouled Rabiot, Saelemaeker fouled Bella-Kotchop, Bella-Kotchop fouled Pulisic. It was like a never-ending chain of violence until Al-Musrati was shown the only card of the match for fouling Pulisic really hard. And when Pulisic gets angry, he takes it out on the opposition team in the perfect way – by scoring. Rabiot headed the ball toward the goal from a header, and Pulisic nailed it home. 1-0 Milan just before halftime. That was his tenth goal of the season in all competitions, and his 50th goal involvement in the three seasons he has been at the club.
Nelsson kicked off the second half party in much the same way he had raised hell in the first half. Only this time, his foul on Nkunku in the box was called for a penalty. Some people felt this was controversial, I think it was just the ongoing narrative that Inter-owned media has pushed that Milan have somehow been favored by the refs. Because otherwise, there is no explanation. Fabbri immediately called it. VAR immediately confirmed it. Rocchi and the AIA said without a doubt it was absolutely a penalty, no doubts whatsoever. In fact, it was perhaps the least controversial referee call of Milan's season.
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| He made sure everyone knew he could still score (or at least almost.) |
What ensued was lovely to see. While Pulisic is known to take Milan's penalties when he is on the pitch, the ball was handed to Nkunku, who had only one goal so far this season in the Coppa Italia, and could use the boost a penalty goal would give him. And he did not disappoint. A great penalty into the corner, out of Montipò's reach, and it was now 2-0 Milan. Out came the balloon for his son, and the entire team came to celebrate with him, it was magical.
Saelemaekers went down in a little collision that was worrying, taking a knock to his calf. But after a bit of treatment, that was quickly forgotten, because of what happened in the 53rd minute. Modrić took a powerful shot that Montipò somehow kept out of the net, but did not clear. So Nkunku was there for the rebound, and slotted home his second Serie A goal in five minutes. 3-0 Milan. Now this was a party.
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| Modrić nearly had a goal in this one, too. |
Inspired by his teammates, De Winter took a couple of headers, one that forced Montipò to tip it over the bar. Loftus-Cheek had a great shot saved. At the other end, Nelsson tried to redeem himself for all of his party fouls and headed it just wide. Then Loftus-Cheek sent a great ball in for the oncoming Pulisic, but he was unable to reach the ball in time. Then it was time for Allegri's sub. Jashari replace Modrić, who was given a standing ovation, and Fofana made his return from injury, replacing Loftus-Cheek.
Six minutes later, in the 76th minute, Saelemaekers and Pulisic came off for Athekame and Ricci, respectively. Bartesaghi showed he knew how to be physical without getting carded by taking out Niasse, having kicked the ball straight into his stomach. But then Bernéde elbowed Ricci in the back, no card. And in the 82nd minute, Gift Orban stepped on Maignan's fingers when he was trying to get near the goal.
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| Hope our captain and goalkeeper hero got any medical attention he needed. |
Odogu got to make his Serie A debut, subbing on for Tomori in the 86th minute. And in the 87th minute, Verona thought they had scored with a really scrappy goal, but not only was Gift Orban offside, he also fouled Maignan in the buildup to the goal. Which included stepping on Maignan's fingers again. Now it did not seem like an accident at all, that one or the first time. And I will be so upset if he broke Maignan just when he is been in such incredible form this season.
And then the final whistle blew. Milan had three goals, three points, and a clean sheet. All great party favors, especially when Allegri's side had struggled so much with the lower table teams this season. But every party risks someone spoiling it, and Allegri knew just the guy. He invited his former boss, Andrea Agnelli, to the match, as they were having lunch after. If you know about who Agnelli is and what he's done, you'd be sick that he was anywhere near our club, let alone sitting one seat away from our club president, Scaroni. So it wasn't quite all fun and games.
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| So happy for Nkunku, for the camaraderie between the guys, but especially for the win. |
But at least the win was a huge relief, especially for those of us who were prepared for another disappointment. Even without the injured Santi Gimenez, Leão, and Gabbia, they pulled off a win that put us back at the top of the table for a few hours. No crazy bad refereeing that cost us points or huge controversies, either (other than the made up ones.) A great confidence builder ahead of a run of three games in quick succession next week. A great way to finish 2025, by going out with a big win against the little team. A fantastic surprise party.
This post inspired by the music of Diana Krall's "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?"
| A very Happy and Blessed New Year to all Milanisti |