Near the end of the broadcast of Milan vs. Parma, the brilliant commentator from the World Feed, Thomas Holmes Reed, described this match as "the definition of a smash and grab" for Parma. And honestly, it was so perfect. Loftus-Cheek's face was smashed, and Parma grabbed all three points with an assist from the VAR refs, who are becoming increasingly more powerful than the head refs in Serie A. The final score was Milan 0, Parma 1, and any fans who were not consumed with concerns about Loftus-Cheeks well being were shocked and outraged by what had just happened. Again. Milan's 24 match unbeaten streak was over, Landucci's perfect win record was gone, and Inter's lead grew bigger, with only their referees having played in this match. It truly was the ultimate smash and grab.
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| They told us what to believe instead of our own eyes. |
Even before the match, we lost Gabbia to an injury during warmup. So De Winter was a last minute replacement in the starting lineup. After a couple of introductory shots from Mateo Pellegrino that required interventions from Maignan and Tomori, the focus turned to an attempt from Saelemaekers at the other end in just the seventh minute. And from that play came the smash. As the ball was sent in, Parma's goalkeeper, Corvi, collided with Loftus-Cheek's face, and both went down. It was clear right away that Loftus-Cheek was not okay, to their credit, it was actually mostly Parma players surrounding him, trying to assist him, and calling the medics over.
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| The last thing you ever want to see is a player being stretchered off. |
After nearly a five minute delay, Loftus-Cheek was seen in a neck brace, being stretchered off. And for the invasive voyeurs of tragedy, their closeups showed that his face was bloodied. I think it was around halftime that news agencies reported that he had lost teeth and potentially suffered an alveolar fracture. Which sounded brutal, so I googled it, and let's just say, I'm not even posting his pre-surgery picture he shared on his social media, which was likely the next morning, no bleeding. Needless to say, he had facial/dental surgery in Milano on Monday morning, and the original estimates are that he will be out eight weeks.
I would like to revisit the collision itself, as it has caused a lot of controversy. To my eyes, at first, it seemed like a really unfortunate collision. I understood why it might not have been a red card or even a foul. But then people pointed out that since the defender got the ball and the goalkeeper only got Loftus-Cheek, the foul should have been given. I can see that point, even if goalkeepers have a right to go for the ball, and you cannot see who is getting the ball once your feet have left the ground. I understand the distress at the horror injury, but bad injuries can happen in football without fault, too.
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| Corvi REALLY came out for that foul on him. Completely innocent, obviously. |
So I would be able to potentially accept no card for Corvi, or no foul. But calling a foul on the defense instead was absurd. Loftus-Cheek had just as much right to be there as Corvi did, and if Corvi did not see him coming, then we cannot expect Loftus-Cheek to have eyes in the back of his head. Mike usually gets those kinds of fouls if there is any contact, so why does Corvi get the benefit of the doubt here? Calling the foul on Loftus-Cheek and thus giving the goalkeeper a free kick for the restart added insult to injury, because Milan had possession outside of the area when he blew the whistle, so he should have simply stopped play and it should have been a drop ball for Milan, if I'm not mistaken.
I do have to say, though, that this 100% felt like Karma after Saelemaekers injured their first goalkeeper, Suzuki, in November. And nothing has more Karma than Parma's goalkeeper injuring one of our players. Disconcertingly, I happened to mention this Karma possibility in the match preview, mainly because it has bothered me since November that we never saw a public apology to Suzuki from Saelemaekers. He injured him in public, the apology should also be public.
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| Jashari did everything he could to avenge Loftus-Cheek's injury. |
Jashari replaced Loftus-Cheek, and he was mad. He seemed singlehandedly determined to avenge Loftus-Cheek's injury and forced Corvi into a few saves. Although Leão had a header and Pulisic and Modrić each had a shot saved, as well. Oh, and it was Saelemaekers who was shown the first yellow card for a foul on Streffeza, Tomori pleaded his case, pointing out that he did, in fact get the ball first. However, the tackle was apparently seen as dangerous, and also, obviously, he was wearing the Milan crest, so yellow card. Obviously.
Pulisic had a couple of other chances, one saved, one just wide, and Saelemaekers also sent one curling wide. At the other end, Strefezza sent one in that did not even trouble Maignin, while Bernabé sent his shot wide. But it was the elbows thrown by Milan – both Estupiñan and Leão to Bernabé, and De Winter on Pellegrino – that demonstrate Milan's frustration level at halftime.
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| Pulisic seems to be feeling better, his form seems to be returning. |
The second half picked up there, with Troilo, who had been defending everything, being carded for fouling Leão. Around this time, in the 48th minute, the cameras showed Allegri coming back from wherever, looking like he was chewing on something. Perhaps he is why Milan are repeatedly fined for being late, this match it was €20,000, because they are both repeat offenders and were late at the beginning of both halves. That makes €85,000 in fines this season for Milan for starting late. The Lega Serie A have a bit of a cash grab of their own going on here.
Saelemaekers, having already brought the Karma to this match, and already being on a yellow card, kinda fouled Valeri – in particular a slight collision of his boots to Valeri's face. But somehow, Piccinini had convinced himself not to send anyone off this week, I think. After Rabiot's effort went wide, Leão was taken down by what seemed to be a couple of Parma players, actually, but no call. However, the bad blood between he and Troilo boiled up to the surface, and Leão, in a very rare display, shoved Troilo, earning the Portuguese player a yellow card for himself.
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| Leão came the closest to scoring, but even with 25 total Milan shots, close was not good enough. |
And right after that, Leão was running in on goal, and Corvi came out, threw himself in the path, and Leão went down in the 58th. It was Corvi who was looking for a foul here, but I am glad it was not given, because we have certainly seen Maignan carded for doing less to an opposition player, and I don't know how Corvi got away with that, to be honest.
Bernabé took a shot that forced Maignan into a big save, and Pulisic went down, with a knock that looked a bit worrisome. A few minutes later, Allegri Landucci, who had actually played a season for Parma, sent Pavlović and Füllkrug on to replace Estupiñan and Pulisic respectively. Then, Milan's best chance came, when Rafa Leão hit the post in the 64th.
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| To be fair, Saelemaekers was shown some leniency. Just not three points |
The tense battle continued, Saelemaekers took some arm contact to the face, then was in the face of the linesman, again, luckily, Piccinini did not card him for this, although last week, that might have been a straight red. The Belgian then saw another shot saved by Corvi. But it was in the 80th minute that the biggest controversy hit.
A header from Troilo hit the back of the net. And Piccinini immediately whistled the goal off. A VAR review would have been right, just to confirm the decision, but that is not what happened. the VAR referees took it upon themselves to make up a story about what they thought they saw based on selective stills or wanting their Marotta checks to clear or whatever. Not only did they wrongfully tell Piccinini he was wrong, they insisted he take a look at the play. But there was not enough evidence for it to have been a clear and obvious error.
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| Milan had a game plan, but bogus refereeing and two new injuries thwarted it. |
This was evidenced by the two minute-long On Field Review (OFR) that Piccinini did at their request. And despite the fact that there were at least two fouls that we all saw and heard, Piccinini caved and reversed his on field decision. The audio from that exchange was strange, because the VAR refs Campione and Pairetto really argued their points with Piccinini, which has never been the idea of VAR. The head ref is always supposed to make those decisions. And when he announced his decision, they exclaimed, "Good!" That is neither neutral nor professional.
So many former referees, players, etc. all say that 1) there was not enough of a clear and obvious error for VAR to have ever intervened. 2) Yes, Valenti was clearly and intentionally blocking Maignan. As reported by so many, you can see him glancing behind him to be sure where Maignan was and moving his body accordingly during the set piece. It was blatant, obvious. Piccinini got it right in real time. And 3), Troilo having both hands and body contact on Bartesaghi before he headed the ball is a clear offensive foul. Using video review, such as Campione and Paireto literally had in front of them in the booth at Coverciano, it is all clear as day.
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| If only Rubes had realized this was one of the final moments with those teeth, he might have smiled. |
However, the AIA is telling us not to believe our own eyes and ears, but rather to believe that "for me, he (Valenti) doesn't move," as the audio from the VAR room indicated. (Was that just because their computer screens froze? Because he 100% moved.) Or that Troilo doesn't foul Bartesaghi, "Watch him from behind," they said. From behind? You can't see that both of his arms are literally pressing Bartesaghi down as he jumps up... if you look at any other angle besides from behind. What were they trying to hide? And why?
And it gets worse. They blame Piccinini for the questionable movements in the box, because he did not explain how set pieces work sufficiently enough that time. And also, he should have "immediately validated the goal after blowing his whistle", therefore not needing VAR to intervene. They're literally saying the players didn't make the fouls, the VAR did not make the errors, this is all Piccinini's fault. Oh, and this week, they're going to work with the refs to remind them how to explain set pieces better to professional players (who know full well how set pieces work, that's why they foul and try to get away with stuff like this.) That is some sick, messed up psychological mindgames.
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| The Super sub would have appreciated the opportunity score, instead they stood around for VAR. |
So Parma grabbed their goal. The AIA gifted that to them, no questions about how they got it, they claim no Parma player did anything wrong, despite the damning photos and videos. The VAR referees, who very clearly were wrong from start to finish, and manipulated the head ref to do their bidding, are also absolved of any wrongdoing. Piccinini, who made the right call in real time, did everything he was supposed to, but second-guessed himself from peer pressure from those corrupt VAR officials to change his ruling, will now experience some kind of a "stop," though it is not really going to be punitive, apparently.
Only Milan are screwed over completely. We lost all three points in that referee grab of power. Again. And now they're "changing the rules" to make it look like we were wrong, they were right. Again. And Milan staff member Alberto Marangon was sent off in this incident. His suspension for the next match is list as for "having addressed an assistant, disrespectfully commented on a referee's decision." Another unnecessary suspension. Again.
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| Rabiot another one the AIA has targeted, he is still one booking away from suspension. |
I cannot tell if their message is "We enjoyed your call to the AIA on Friday reminding us of all the ways we have previously acknowledged we screwed your team over this season," or if their message is "Don't call us, we'll call you." Because in the Marotta League, nothing changes. Ask why Rabiot was sent off? Your Sporting Director gets fined €10,000, and we'll release the ref cam footage, edited so we don't have to show he never did anything to deserve the second yellow card. And while Juventus are actually getting apologies for their errors, we are just getting screwed over harder again and again and again, and told that we did not see what we saw or hear what we heard. And oh, yeah, that player who had to be stretchered off and have facial surgery? He fouled Parma's goalkeeper, did you know that? The gaslighting is stifling. But so blatant.
The match closed out as Landucci subbed Nkunku and Athekame on for Jashari and Tomori. Both Füllkrug and Rabiot had a couple of shots that went wide, but that was it. Even after nearly eight minutes of stoppage time, Milan were unable to compensate for the bizarre referee decision.
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| The referees stole this man's perfect win record. |
And it's no wonder that the guys felt dejected. They played without their manager, who was suspended because the opposing manager at the last match committed a serious infringement of unsporting behavior, and nothing happened to him. They lost a player to a gruesome injury, and were told that he committed the foul. They were fouled in not just one but two different ways, the referee initially called the opposition goal off, and then the VAR manufactured excuses to gift it to them anyway, and thus, Milan lost.
If this was just one time, it would be hard to swallow. But Milan have dropped at least nine points due to these errors, then told to shut up and take it. Over and over. How do you get a team to believe they can win, when time and time again, they are shown they will not be allowed to, no matter what they do? How can they even pretend like the Scudetto is even in their reach, when the referees and their shady network keep changing the goalposts to give another team (only one team) all the advantages, and keep creating controversies that steal points (and hope) from their closest rivals?
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| An attempted smash and grab by management on the fans. |
Speaking of smash and grab, Milan wore their new fourth kits, a collaboration with with Slam Jam. The design lines were pretty nice, very much inspired by the lines of our away kit this season. But the fabrication was hideous, a bright, orange-red satin that looks like either a boxer or a disco dancer from the 1970s or 1980's, or possibly pajamas.The option is a very pale "silver" color that is even more shiny. No thank you.
And it's not just the fashion that says no. This is not the first loss Milan have had in their 4th kit. In fact, more often than not, their results are poor wearing these completely "monetizing the fans" optional kits. Translation: Milan's management are being punished on the pitch for trying to make some extra cash pimping out our boys with these fourth kits. Also known as a "smash and grab." Not thank you. (Now those prematch "Chaos is Order" track kits are fantastic. And they were not wearing them when they lost, either. But I don't hand my money to corporate leeches like Gerald, so I will just admire the pictures.)
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| Why even play if the result is predetermined? |
So, to recap, Milan lost a starting defender to injury before the match kicked off. They lost a teammate to a gruesome and troubling injury just seven minutes in. They were completely robbed of all three points, and told that they did not see and hear what they actually did see and hear. Another Milan staff member was sent off, after their manager served an absurd ban for another manager's shocking behavior. And they had to do it all in tacky, shiny, corporate sell-out kits that made them look ridiculous (and also may be cursed.) The commentator was 100% right. This was yet another costly smash and grab.
Milan Primavera Win 2-1 at Home vs. Napoli Primavera
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| Pippo Scotti acknowledges Domniței's perfect assist as Napoli players are devastated. |
In a rare home win, Milan Primavera were able to defeat Napoli Primavera 2-1 with a brace from Pippo Scotti. The Primavera captain came out firing, and there were a number of chances on both sides, but Bouyer did his part to keep Napoli off the scoresheet, and the first half ended goalless.
The second half was a different story. Scotti scored from an exquisite free kick in the 47th minute, his sixth goal of the season. Then, in the 77th, he played a one-two with Domniței, who threaded the ball through perfectly for Scotti, who slotted home his seventh goal of the season. Napoli would hit the crossbar, but it was a penalty conceded in the 87th minute that allowed Gorica to score for Napoli. Brief highlights are available.
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| The players are a tight-knit group, celebrating Scotti's first goal. |
The Primavera are in a 3-way tie between Monza, Verona, and Milan, which sees Milan sitting in 11th at the bottom of that trio on 37 points. They are away to second place Roma to face off with their former manager, Guidi, on Sunday.
Milan Futuro Destroy Caldiero Terme 3-0 in Their House
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| Magrassi, in a rare start, also scored right away to get the show started. |
Perhaps it was revenge for the 2-0 defeat the Gialloverdi handed Milan Futuro back in October, but on Sunday, Milan Futuro absolutely dominated Caldiero Terme for a 3-0 win in their house. This was also Futuro's second consecutive win, which pushed them back up the table to third place as well. All three goals were scored in the first half, but Caldiero Terme showed very few signs of ever being a threat, it was a fantastic performance from Oddo's guys.
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| Chaka Traorè made no mistake from the spot. |
Magrassi, in his second goal of the season, opened the scoring in just the eighth minute. 1-0 Milan Futuro. Then, in the 19th minute, Caldiero Terme's goalkeeper fouled Chaka Traorè, and a penalty was awarded. Traorè stepped up and converted it coolly, 2-0 for Milan Futuro. Sala scored the third goal in the 29th minute, and Milan Futuro were up 3-0. A few minutes later, Torriani did make a great save, and he had another in the second half, as well. There were a couple of great chances for Futuro as well. Caldiero did score a goal in the 80th minute, but it was offside.
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| The team celebrate Sala's goal, the nail in the coffin in less than 30 minutes. |
But the craziest thing was the fight between multiple players that broke out at the full time whistle, I'm still not sure what that was all about, but everyone was separated before it escalated too much. Brief highlights of the match are available. Oddo will be on the hunt for a third consecutive victory on Sunday as they host the league leaders, Folgore Caratese.
This post inspired by the music of Rage Against the Machine's "Take the Power Back"