Chapter 40 Becoming an Audience
In the stands of the Ferraris Stadium, Degan sat with a few teammates who could not play. Beside Degan was the old goalkeeper Fiori who was the first to express his kindness to him after coming to Milan.
At the away game, Degan also omitted the little show of being booed by the fans, and it was much quieter. Originally, Degan didn't want to come, and it doesn't feel good to be a spectator, but Ancelotti has his own In other words, once the team has an injury before the start of the game, it is their chance.
Shit chance!
Degan is very clear that Ancelotti is holding back now to prove that without him, AC Milan can still win, to prove that he is right.
How can Degan not know about Ancelotti's careful thinking, but Degan doesn't think AC Milan will lose against Sampdoria. After all, Sampdoria is not the majestic team back then. The Sailors have gone through relegation, and after the financial crisis, Sampdoria's current level in Serie A is at most the middle and lower reaches.
This game also has a special meaning. Captain Maldini will usher in his 800th appearance on behalf of AC Milan, and tie Zoff's record of 570 Serie A appearances.
Sampdoria achieved a good record last season with their defense, but conceded 4 goals in the first 2 rounds of the new season. And in the history of the confrontation between the two coaches, Novellino is at an absolute disadvantage against Ancelotti with 1 win, 2 draws and 11 losses. He and goalkeeper Antonioli both played in AC Milan. Dalla, who came on loan this summer Bona and Borriello also belong to AC Milan.
After the opening, Sampdoria's defense was quite tight. It was not until the 17th minute that AC Milan ushered in a real opportunity. Pirlo made a direct pass from the center line. Shevchenko touched his heel midway. The right foot pushes the lower right corner to score, and AC Milan takes the lead 1:0.
Gilardino excitedly ran to the bench and embraced Nesta and others. However, judging from the slow motion, Gilardino seemed to be suspected of offside at the moment Shevchenko touched the ball with his heel.
Subsequently, Sampdoria, unwilling to fail, also stepped up their offense. In the 26th minute, after Diana rebounded from the cross from the right, Zauli volleyed with his right foot in front of the goal, which was confiscated by Dida.
Since then, AC Milan has missed opportunities in a row. In the 31st minute, Shevchenko hit the left side of the penalty area and knocked back before the ball was about to pass the baseline. Goalkeeper Antonioli has lost his position, but Gilardino is a bit slow to follow up , As a result, the ball was hit high under Castellini's interference.
In the 34th minute, Gattuso received a ball from Kaka in the middle and made a low pass from the right. Shevchenko pushed forward with his right foot and missed the near post.
Then AC Milan's defense withstood a severe test. Maldini and Stam's partner obviously lacked some tacit understanding, and the continuous battle also made Maldini's physical condition a little out of shape.
In the 38th minute, Sampdoria's free kick on the right was ejected. Tonetto got the ball from the left and made a pass. Castellini nodded the ball and hit the crossbar and bounced to the right. Bonazzoli made it in time. Followed up, volleyed sideways with his left foot in front of the goal and scored from the far corner, 1:1.
After the start of the second half, Milan was still squandering a lot of opportunities, Karazze made a pass from the left, and Gilardino's header missed the right post. In the 53rd minute, Tonetto was given a yellow card for a foul, and Pirlo took a free kick and was hit by Antonioli.
In the fifty-eighth minute, Sampdoria ushered in a goal again. Diana threw a ball from the right side of the line. It was a bit slow, but Diana made a tackle, and the latter made a cross from the right. Fraggi missed the barb in front of the goal, but Tonetto volleyed vigorously into the near corner with the instep of his left foot on the left side. Sampdoria won 2:1. The score was overtaken.
After the score was overtaken, Milan immediately pushed forward. In the 62nd minute, Shevchenko's shot from close at hand was saved by Antonioli. Immediately afterwards, after AC Milan's right corner kick rebounded continuously, Shevchenko shot again. Blocked by Antonioli, Shevchenko then fell to the ground and shot with his left foot, which was blocked by Antonioli who fell to the ground.
The team fell behind, Ancelotti once again sent his favorite Serginho, replaced Gattuso, AC Milan further strengthened the attack.
In the 70th minute, Milan played an exquisite cooperation in the middle. Relying on his personal ability, Shevchenko continuously changed his left rib to break through the defense, shot diagonally with his left foot in front of the goal, and missed the far post.
Since then, Ancelotti replaced Pirlo with Ambrosini, and then, Vieri replaced Cafu, AC Milan changed to play three defenders.
However, these two substitutions also became evidence that Ancelotti was criticized after the game. Using Ambrosini to replace Pirlo made the team lose control in the middle. Ambrosini's defensive ability It is better than offensive ability, and his forward assault ability is too poor to help the team in offense.
In addition, let Vieri replace Cafu. Although the manpower on the front line has been increased, without the flying wing of Cafu, Milan's ability to pass from the side has basically been weakened to a negative number. Vieri's impact is Strong, but without the help from the wing, he can't do anything.
The game continued until the third minute of stoppage time. AC Milan launched an attack desperately. Maldini rushed to the front field and made a pass from the left. Missed the last chance, and finally could only accept the fate of away defeat.
Degan has been watching the game quietly. When Milan scored a goal, he didn't cheer, and when he fell behind, he didn't feel upset. In this game, when Ancelotti started to be conservative after taking the lead, Degan Already had a premonition of failure.
The continuous battle has caused problems for the physical strength of the Milan players, especially in the defensive line. Maldini's milestone game, but because of his physical exhaustion, he failed to perform at his due level. Kaladze is a big player It's a joke, this Georgian's mind is probably all on politics, and his enthusiasm for football is very little. As for Cafu, his spirituality is still there, and his offensive ability is also very strong, but he is old and far behind in terms of speed. At first.
As for Ancelotti's several substitutions during the game, he was even more confused. Except for Serginho, the other two substitutions were completely aimless. If such a game can not be lost, then That's a weird thing.