Milan showed up at the San Siro on Saturday looking like they were dressed more for a slumber party than a football match. Wearing the "silver" version of the Slam Jam collaboration Fourth Kits, perhaps they also felt like they were in their pajamas, because once again, they did not really wake up until the second half, causing all of us to suffer for at least the first 30 minutes for sure. With just a few minutes of enjoyable football, the rest was a tough battle with a determined opponent, one that finally ended in a 3-2 victory over Torino. And that was lucky, too, because can you imagine how embarrassing it would have been to lose or even draw dressed like that? It's humiliating enough they looked like they were having a pajama party.
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| Actions speak louder than words. |
The match got off to a difficult start, with Tomori shown a yellow card for a foul on Gineitis in just the ninth minute, knowing Allegri did not really have great options on the bench. While Milan both looked and played like they were closer to sleep than being awake, Torino took advantage of that and tried to create chances. They had a chance in the 13th minute, which Maignan uncharacteristically failed to get to, but luckily, they were also unable to capitilize on this. Pulisic got the first real shot for Milan in the 19th minute, but it was straight to former Milan Youth goalkeeper, Paleari, now 33 years old and having won a starting spot after Vanja Milinković-Savić's exit last summer.
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| This man wins games even while sleepwalking. |
Things also got very physical. Duvan Zapata elbowed Saelemaakers. Tomori fouled Zapata, who was very upset about it, to the point of almost earning himself a card. For Rabiot, who famously formerly played for Juve, this was like a Derby. So he started firing early and powerfully, forcing Paleari into a massive save. That was foreshadowing, but what came immediately afterward was so brilliant.
Saul Coco tried to head clear Pulisic's ball in, but instead, he sent it bouncing into the path of our star center back-winger-midfielder-striker, Strahinja Pavlović, who was well outside of the area. I suppose Torino thought that was safe, but clearly, they have not met Pavlović, who took one touch and just unleashed all of his grinta and skill with his left foot and sent it in, bouncing off the underside of the crossbar, out of Paleari's (or any other goalkeeper's) reach. An unbelievable goal for those who are not familiar with Pavlović's game. Or most players, really. The rest of us were as happy for him as he was to score for the team like that. 1-0 Milan. Milan fans obviously voted him Milan's MVP.
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| Pavlović the Great. |
That triggered Torino into action, though, and Duvan Zapata forced Maignan into saving a quick response from him. Pedersen took a shot, but it was headed off the crossbar by... you guessed it... our star center back-winger-midfielder-striker, Strahinja Pavlović. Hero at both ends of the pitch. Tomori, not to be outdone defensively, had a brilliant tackle just a minute later. Just before halftime, though as Maignan made a great save on Vlašić at the post, Simeone came along and poached the rebound to draw Torino level. 1-1 all at the half.
With Tomori on a yellow, Allegri subbed him off and introduced Athekame after the break. I don't know if it was Pavlović's stunning goal, something Allegri said at halftime, or maybe he gave them some smelling salts, but the Milan that returned to the pitch after the half were definitely awake, even if they were still wearing their corporate-mandated pajamas. Bartesaghi was feeling it, and dribbled it in twice, only to hit the side netting twice.
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| Sorry, Torino, he will always score against you. And yes, it is personal. |
Then Rabiot, the ex-Juve and Torino rival, got his goal in the 54th minute from a great cross from Pulisic. 2-1 Milan. Pulisic has been receiving some grief from the media for not having scored, but this assist was important to note, he has not been slacking off or anything.
Two minutes later, Athekame sent a great ball forward for Fofana. Before you think you know how this ended, think again. And also maybe prepare for the end of the world, because Fofana dribbled around the Torino defenders and slotted it into the back of the net. Not over, not wide, straight past Paleari. 3-1 Milan. A great goal, and worth celebrating. Serie A even awarded him their Player of the Match.
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| Fofana went from being our steady assist man to finally getting another one on target. |
The two French goalscorers celebrated in an amusing yet important way – they combined Leão's surfing celebration with Pulisic's eye of the Tiger celebration, and they did it together. Pulisic was laughing, clearly enjoying the reference, and Leão, though injured, was shown in the stands amused by it as well. This was their teammates' way of quelling the media-driven controversy surrounding Leão and Pulisic following the events during and after the loss to Lazio, confirming that not only are the two attackers united, the entire team is united behind them. Actions speak louder than words.
After the joy of scoring back to back goals and being up two, as well as the joy of those celebrations, Milan kind of took their foot off of the gas a bit. This led to Simeone taking a shot in the 67th minute which forced Maignan into a massive point blank save. In the 70th minute, Allegri did a bit of trolling, subbing on Torino's former captain, Samuele Ricci, who replaced Fofana. Nkunku also replaced Füllkrug.
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| He's back. |
In the 77th, we also finally got to see Santi Gimenez make his return from his lengthy injury when he replaced Pulisic, ironically the player he has played so well with in the past. But this long-anticipated return was almost immediately marred by VAR, as much of Milan's season has been.
Despite the referee, Fourneau, having allowed the match to play on after Simeone continued to dramatically lay on the ground to try to get a penalty after an alleged foul, VAR reviewed it. If they used the same footage we were shown, which we are supposed to get, they used a zoomed-out overhead shot that still did not show enough contact from Pavlović to award a penalty. Particularly not enough to show a clear and obvious error, the common thread between all of Rocchi's Marotta's army of referees this season.
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| No fake penalty call can take away this man's hero status. |
So, even after an On Field Review, Fourneau awarded Torino the penalty, and Vlašić converted it. Notw it was 3-2 for Milan, and we went from feeling fairly comfortable, a rare occurrence under Allegri, to suddenly reaching for alcohol or a medication for heart/blood pressure or a medication for digestive issues or whatever Milan fans usually need every single match.
Things fell apart football-wise, though. Torino wanted an imaginary handball that they were not given, Vlašić shoved Saelemaekers in the back. Forneau did not punish either incident. He did, however, show Torino's manager, D'Aversa, a yellow card for dissent when he complained about the imaginary handball. Barteaghi powered into the side netting one more time for good measure, and Odogu replaced Saelemaekers a minute into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, Torino's former captain had a chance to inflict more pain on the visitors, but instead sent his chance over.
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| Together. Even when they are forced to wear their pajamas. |
And that was it. Milan had managed to hang on to their lead and all three points, despite once again causing fans unnecessary physical and psychological stress. At least the refereeing, despite being controversial yet again, did not derail the match completely. Also, especially for having to wear those embarrassing pajama kits, Milan players are to be commended for winning this one with decisive and even spectacular goals.
We also got to see the return of Santi Gimenez, and even if it was overshadowed by other events, I very much look forward to seeing more of him. Although I think he may face competition for his spot from an unexpected source, our star center back-winger-midfielder-striker, Strahinja Pavlović. Going into the international break this win was important for mentality, even if they all seemed to have their heads partially into the break, starting the match as if it actually was a pajama party.
Milan Primavera Draw 1-1 with Juventus Primavera
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| Domniței does not miss when given the chance to score a penalty vs. Juve. |
Following their negative streak of 3 consecutive losses, the Primavera were able to pull off their second straight draw, this time a 1-1 draw vs. Juventus away. Juventus Primavera scored first, when Bouyer saved the initial attempt, but Juve's Bellino unfortunately scored on the second attempt, putting the home team up 1-0 in just the 29th minute. Domniței decisively scored a penalty Milan Primavera were awarded to equalize just before halftime.
The second half, Milan Primavera defended well, including a great save from Bouyer. However, they were unable to score a winner, and had to settle for the point. Brief highlights of the match are available. Despite earning points in consecutive matches, the Primavera have dropped to 15th in the league, tied with Torino Primavera on 39 points. After the international break, they will face Lecce at home.
Milan Futuro Draws 2-2 with Nuovo Sandrio at Home
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| Early goal, early celebration. |
Milan Futuro went ahead twice, only to end up with only a point as they drew 2-2 with Nuovo Sandrio at home. This was an improvement, as they had lost to Sandrio in the previous fixture, and Futuro are still unbeaten in five matches. They managed to cling to second place, but only just barely, as Chievo Verona won their match and drew level on points.
The match started with a very early penalty awarded to Milan Futuro, which Chaka Traorè converted in just the sixth minute to take the 1-0 lead. And Milan Futuro continued to take their chances. But Sondrio pulled one back through a Pierpaolo Longo goal in the 23rd minute, so it was 1-1 at the half. Cappelletti nearly scored a few times, but once again, in the 59th minute, Milan Futuro went ahead through a goal from Geroli, 2-1 Futuro. However, Kanta scored for Nuovo Sondrio in the 81st, and despite Futuro's best efforts, it ended 2-2. Brief highlights are available. Their next scheduled opponent is Week 30's opponent, Ville Valle, at home.
Milan Futuro Draws 1-1 at Home with Villa Valle
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| Sardo's late header salvages a point for Milan Futuro. |
The results of some matches don't always tell the whole story, and for this one, Futuro drawing 1-1 with Villa Valle definitely does not. Milan Futuro came out fiercely in this one, creating chance after great chance immediately, and Sala even hit the crossbar. And at the other end, Torriani had some great saves, too. But, after Villa Valle's goalkeeper made some massive saves and other unlucky things, the first half ended goalless. Unfortunately, Villa Valle scored a header in the 57th minute, making it 1-0 for the visitors.
However, Oddo's team continued to work even harder, and finally, answered back with their own header from Sardo in the 87th minute. Highlights of the match are available. This makes their unbeaten run now six consecutive matches, however Milan Futuro have fallen to fifth place due to the lost points of three draws and sit five points behind second place Chievo Verona. They will play Real Calepina midweek next week to recover the match they otherwise would have played over the international break.
This post inspired by the music of The Cranberries' "Dreams"
Reviewed by Elaine
on
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