This match began as dreadful as the last two, if not worse. Como were clearly playing much better than Milan, much more possession, and creating more chances. Or, as Fabregas pointed out, Como "made 700 passes to their 200." But, our Frenchman Nkunku converted his penalty to equalize at the half, Maignan made superhero level saves, and their compatriot, Rabiot, scored two brilliant second half goals. So Milan defeated Como 1-3 at their lakeside home, thanks largely to three of our French players, our French heroes.
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| Our two biggest heroes of the night. |
As with so many of Milan's matches lately, they conceded an early goal. Kempf scored a header from a corner in just the 10th minute. 1-0 Como. And it's not like Como needed the motivation, either. While Fofana was willing to shoot on Milan's behalf, between being fouled (no call from Guida, of course,) and his apparent allergy to actually putting the ball into the net, Milan may as well have just handed the ball to Butez for a goal kick, it would have saved time.
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| Füllkrug already mesmerized at how such a good midfielder can have such an aversion to scoring. |
At the other end, Nico Paz was beginning a nightmare that will probably haunt him for a while, and that was facing Mike Maignan and his gloves. Don't get me wrong, Nico Paz took many of Como's 18 shots, and probably forced most of Maignan's brilliant seven saves. And while Milan fans only solidified their love for and worship for our captain between the sticks, Nico Paz left the match goalless and traumatized in disbelief that not even one of his fantastic shots had managed to go into the back of the net.
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| Our monster in goal will give Nico Paz nightmares for a very long time. |
Other Como players took chances as well – van der Brandt, Da Cunha, Douvikas – they all peppered Maignan's goal with their attempts, and France's number one was up to the task each time. But it was the goalscorer, Kempf, who would allow Milan to equalize, when he clearly fouled Rabiot in the box. More astonishingly, Guida actually awarded the penalty. And even though Di Paolo was the Assistant VAR referee, VAR did not take the penalty away. (For reference, every single Milan match Di Paolo has been in the VAR room, there has been a penalty. Four have gone against Milan, and this is only the second one for Milan, probably because Doveri was the head VAR ref.)
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| The penalty that turned the corner for Milan. |
To continue with the standard of heroics set by his fellow Frenchman Maignan, Nkunku stepped up to take the penalty. And while Butez did get his hands to it, the shot was too powerful for him to stop, and it went iinto the back of the net. 1-1 all just before the half. Game on.
In the 55th minute, Leão, playing on his preferred left side, chipped a perfect ball in for Rabiot, who controlled it with his chest, then sent it screaming past Butez from distance to make it 2-1 Milan. Seemingly envious and/or frustrated, a few minutes later, Nico Paz sent another shot in, but this one hit the top of the crossbar. In the 62nd minute, van der Brempt just threw Leão to the ground, but obviously, there was no call, it was Guida, after all.
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| The 23 year-old defender helping to keep the star 21 year-old striker off the scoresheet. |
A minute later, Allegri brought the wounded Füllkrug on for Nkunku. Despite having a broken toe, he insisted on playing, with Allegri mentioning that the German player told him he had played with this injury before. Massive points for that level of commitment. And it was really helpful, too, because his physical presence really does draw defenders and help create more room for everyone else in the area.
In the 68th, De Winter, who was deputizing for the wounded warrior, Pavlović, calmly shut down a brilliant little slalom from Jesús Rodriguez, who seemed to think he could just slip right into our goal. Allegri then subbed Loftus-Cheek on for Leão and Ricci on for Fofana for the final twenty minutes. In the 78th minute, Füllkrug was down, and it was a bit worrying, because he had tangled with Diego Carlos, fallen backward, and hit the back of his head. But he was able to continue, because he is badass.
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| Thank you, sir, may we have another? |
Loftus-Cheek sent a header over the bar. In all, Milan only took seven shots, four of which were on target. Talk about clinical. For the last few minutes, Allegri replaced Modrić with Jashari and Saelemaekers with Athekame to bring on some fresh legs. But it was not either of them who made the difference, once again, it was Rabiot, who apparently only scores braces.
In the 88th, Rabiot took a powerful shot from outside of the area, a low shot that was just inside of the post, but underneath Butez. Perfectly executed, impossible to stop. and it was 3-1 Milan. We were all letting our hair down after that one. After 90 very long minutes of suffering at the hands of this possession-obsessed side, a brilliant goal like this to absolutely seal the win was exactly what was needed to make up for lost time.
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| How Milan fans also felt after Rabiot's second goal freed us from another dreaded draw or a one goal win. |
People talk about Milan dropping points to lower table sides, claiming it is something that has happened for the past several years. But that is not exactly true. They have been wildly inconsistent since Maldini's departure. This year, Allegri's Milan are the only team to be undefeated against the big teams, yet have very distinctly dropped 13 points against newly promoted or lower table sides. However, a match like this cleanses the palate from those disappointments, and as Fabregas pointed out, the win was based on individual quality. Also known as our French heroes.
Renna's Primavera drew 3-3 with Fiorentina Primavera in a Goal Fest
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| Nolli and Lontani celebrate with Angelicchio for his first goal. |
Milan Primavera started off their match on Friday well, but the second half turned into a massive goal fest and it ended up a 3-3 draw with visitors Fiorentina Primavera. Angelicchio got things started in the 31st minute with a goal, following up a shot and slotting it past the keeper for his very first Primavera goal to make it 1-0 Milan going into the half. The second half started with Cissé unfortunately conceding a penalty, which Puzzoli converted for the equalizer, bringing it to 1-1 all in the 47th minute. But five minutes later, Vladimirov also decided to open up his account with the Primavera with a great header from a Lontoni free kick. 2-1 Milan Primavera.
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| Vladimirov races to celebrate that first goal feeling with his captain. |
Castiello subbed on and hit the post almost immediately. Then Fiorentina equalized again ten minutes later through a goal from Jallow. 2-2 all. But that did not last long, as Castiello scored a fantastic goal just one minute later to put Milan Primavera ahead again, 3-2 in the 87th minute, from a Nolli assist. However, Fiorentina Primavera had the last say with a goal in the 92nd minute from Conti to equalize for the final time, 3-3 all. A very exciting match with plenty of twists and turns, but a good performance from Renna's guys. Brief highlights are available. Milan are away to Frosinone Primavera on Tuesday.