2-1 Win for Cagliari in the final game of their stadium’s life. This game wrote history as well, as they have not beaten Milan in their last 27 matches; spanning back before Donnarumma was even born! That all changed today.
The only goal of the first half went to Cagliari, as Joao Pedro nabs his sixth of the season. The play began from a counter attack which saw the former Milan man, Borriello, sending in a perfectly timed through ball to the Brazilian which he slotted low and wide into the bottom right corner.
Lapadula would net home the equalizer with the second penalty of the game. A low and powerful striker just left of center would equalize the score line with Milan now the aggressors.
Pisacane would score the winner in the last seconds of the game with a tap in from the follow up of a saved goal kick. Regardless of the result, Milan have already secured Europa league and sixth place.
A win, loss, or draw today would not have altered the table in anyway, shape, or form. This game brings an end to the 2016-2017 Serie A season; one that was bitter sweet as early expectations fizzled out and secondary objectives became primary concerns. AC Milan would achieve those objectives and with the sale to the Chinese completed, all fans can look forward to the summer mercato and the changes to come.
The match started off fast as Borriello almost scored off the break just 44 seconds into the game with a powerful headed effort. Shortly there after Cagliari hit the post in another effort.
The first bit of the game was all the home team as Borriello slotted in the through ball off the counter for the Joao Pedro goal in the 17th minute.
Milan responded in a big way not long after. In the 21st minute Bacca hit the crossbar down into the body of the Milan owned, Cagliari goal keeper. Goal line technology proves the ball never fully crossed the line but was close.
We take a quick water break here before things turned sour for il Diavolo as Suso had to be substituted due to an injury in the 30th minute. Lucas Ocampos would replace him.
Five minutes were added on in the first half but it was not capitalized on by either team. We would head into half time at 1-0 for Cagliari, but it could easily be 2-0, or 3-0. Milan the weaker side.
The second half began bleak but in the 61st minute Cagliari would concede a penalty which Carlos Bacca would take. Much to the surprise of the crowd, the penalty would be saved on the young Crosta’s senior debut.
Ten minutes later Milan have another penalty. This time Lapadula takes it. Lapadula shoots it strong and even down the middle to level the score line 1-1.
Paletta would earn himself his second yellow just three minutes later; being sent off for the 5th time this season. While a good defender, he has proven to be ultimately reckless.
Han would score a go ahead goal for Cagliari but deemed offside. Excellent work from the linesmen as the replay showed it was inches offside.
In the 93rd minute Cagliari have a free kick which is fantastically saved by Donnarumma but the follow up from Fabio Pisacane will sink the Rossoneri for the first time in 27 matches. Cagliari win 2-1.
For a game with zero reprocussion on either side, it certainly was played with malice from both teams. With six yellow cards, one red card, two penalties, one disallowed goal and three standing goals; this game had plenty to enjoy. Now we look towards next season and the summer mercato.
Can’t wait for the Summer mercato, hope we strengthen this weak team because, as well as every other Milan fan around this planet, i am sure as hell sick and tired of seeing this team lose out to “weaker” teams, games we should of easily won 3 or 4 to nothing yet we are not capitalizing on our opportunities. If we won every “small” team we played this season, we would of been top 4 by season end… I trust “Fassobelli” will do something to address this weak Milan line up.