Kiss the ring boys and girls....
There is a new DON in town!
Quick review: The first half was a wash. We tried going down the right with some effectiveness but it seemed labored and obvious. The defense was good but honestly Chievo was just strolling around hoping for a draw. The first half stats were awful. Zero shots on target for us and 1 for them. ZZZZzzzz....
Then the second half came. The attack switched from the right to the left. Seemingly Chievo never really adjusted as Antonelli and Jack had acres of space to get the ball up the pitch down the right. Up and down we went, chance after chance until FINALLY Bacca laid off a gorgeous pass to Antonelli and BINGO... we had a lead. We had what seemed like 20 chances after that (actually it was 11 more shots of which only 2 were on target). Other than one breakdown on D and a gorgeous save by THE DON, all was quiet. You see but that is the key... a keeper might have to make only one big play all night long but he has to be ready to step up. AND HE DID! Clean sheet baby!
The last time we had a clean sheet Abbiati was in goal and SIX players started that are no longer even at the club. It was 156 days ago. Pippo was still coach. I think Ronald Reagan may still have been president! Yugoslavia might have still been a country!
In short, it’s been a while.
A grade and a sentence on each:
THE DON: B+ Cool as the other side of the pillow. THE YOUNGEST KEEPER IN THE HISTORY OF SERIE A TO KEEP A CLEAN SHEET!
DESCIGLIO: B Replaced Abate, ruled the right and even launched a beutiful speculative shot.
ALEX: B Strong, dependable and solidifying his spot beside Romagnoli.
ROMAGNOLI: A So silky smooth that he almost never seems to put forth an effort. Remind you of anyone?
ANTONELLI: A Put away his chance and covered serious ground... MOTM along with Romagnoli.
KUCKA: B Covered acres of ground and made us remember what a midfielder is... but was a little selfish with his shot selection.
MONTY: A- Great cover in front of the CBs and held his ground.... a captain-like performance?
BERTOLACCI: C Popped up for some nice stretches but seemed to disappear for others
CERCI: C+ Put in some nice crosses in the first half but the action moved away from him later
BACCA: A Worked his ass off to make plays and lay off some gorgeous passes. Only Antonelli converted but could have had 2-3 more assists.
JACK: B The moonshots seem to have returned but his work rate and crosses are becoming invaluable.
There you go folks. No minute by minute tonight because I was actually able to sit down and watch almost the entire game. That’s rare but I’m glad I could. Miha is slowly figuring this out.
Cheers and FORZA MILAN!!!!!
Lisi
