AC Milan were on the right side of a 2-1 result against Napoli. However, it could have been very different after the red card.
On Sunday evening, Milan played one of their biggest games of the season. A test against the reigning champions, Napoli. Thankfully, they passed, arguably with flying colours, even if there was a slight blip during the game.
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That blip, of course, was the red card to Pervis Estupinan, who gave away a penalty in a clear goalscoring position. Whether it was a good decision or not is debatable. Either way, though, the Rossoneri fought well and defended their lead, even after it was halved in the following penalty.
Estupinan’s ‘Dinero’
As a result of the red card, Estupinan will be fined, as hinted by Mike Maignan under Estupinan’s celebration and apology. MilanNews relays this, with the Frenchman stating, ‘Bravo hermano, ora dinero, dinero’. Something which translates to ‘Well done brother, now money, money’.
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Of course, this is a hint at the fines system, which is a playful rule established within the dressing room. There are a range of different possible fines, such as a fund for group activities, dinners for those fined, gifts from a ‘guilty player’ or even a donation to the Fondazione Milan.
This is not something that the defender will dispute, and he responded simply.
“No problem, captain, the important thing is victory.”
A mistake, and one that he is not hiding from. The best way to react.
Just rewatched the game.
I think all the criticism of Estupinan after the match was over blown.
Yes he made a mistake on the penalty but it was a tight call and the VAR decision was a touch controversial. One high camera angle showed he did a sneaky shirt pull and then Di Lorenzo went with the contact. He should have just pushed with his shoulder and then worst case it was a penalty and yellow.
Saelemaekers made far more mistakes in the game. Including not being tight enough on the header from Anguissa that Mike pushed out to Di Lorenzo for the penalty.
Had other players marked better and Mike not made that great save, then there is no penalty.
Saelemaekers made a lot of bad pass turnovers in the first half. Many in very dangerous areas.
Estupinan was crucial in the first goal. Watch it again. He makes a very attacking and precise pass to Pulisic that initially releases him for the run. Pavlovic receives from Mike near the left penalty box corner. He then pushes up the line to Estupinan. Who with his back to goal threads an angled pass back towards the centre circle where Pulisic receives and takes a quick touch on the angle back to the left wing and is away.
Without Estupinan that first goal never happens. Not taking anything away from what Pulisic did next.
All first half Estupinan combined well with Pavlovic and was always looking for Pulisic as his first thought. And why wouldn’t you in his current form.
At times he should have been tighter on Politano but the worst moment that came from that was an off target header from Anguissa (midway through first half). Where again Saelemaekers lost him on the marking.
Estupinan has been good for several games. Mistakes happen. We should just be glad that the rest of the team stood up and fought the rest of the game to salvage the three points.