January Update
Well an unexpected Milan derby this month as we faced off in the Italian Cup as I looked to keep my great record against Inter. We also face Napoli in the Serie A
AC Milan 3-0 Avellino
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A comfortable win against the Serie B champions to give us the three points. We lead early on with Malcom hitting a low effort just inside the post to give us the lead. Bonaventura headed in a Flanagan cross at the back post to extend the lead. Bertolacci rounded off the scoring late in the first half his first effort was blocked but, the rebound fell to him and he fired it into the top corner no keeper could save it. A good win as we stay well atop the Serie A
Udinese 1-2 AC Milan
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A good win for us and another three point gained. Malcom scored two early goals first firing in a low Bonaventura cross. He then scored a near identical goal from the other side hitting in a Fekir cross. Udinese were reduced to ten men before the end of the first half. Minutes later Gaston Gil Romero was also sent off in the first half to even it up. Ex- AC Milan player Verdi set up a shot from outside the box that went in to make it 2-1 we held out for the win.
AC Milan 3-1 Carpi Italian Cup
View attachment 231608A easy win for a rotated side in the cup. We scored first early on as Babacar hit an unstoppable powerful penalty into the top corner. We extended the lead in the second half with Niang scoring the rebound of a Fekir shot. Carpi pulled a late goal back a great free kick robbing Delac of a debut clean sheet. We regained our two goal lead just after as Babacar belted an effort in from close range. As mentioned at the beginning we draw Inter in the quarter finals.
Catania 3-0 AC Milan
View attachment 231607Definitely my worst result so far. We missed a number of good chances early on before Catinia took the lead after a great passing move getting into the box. After this we crumble and it took some good saves from Perin to keep us only a goal down. We were looking better in the second half until Witsel got a straight red for a horror tackle after 51 minutes Catania took full advantage as a player got to the byline and cut it back to allow their player to tap the ball into an empty net. We let in another minutes later their winger beating a couple of men before firing past Perin. At this point I played into the team and we shored up the defence however, Romangoli picked up his 3rd red card of the season. Just after this game Maicon arrived and I think he adds the experience and leadership to stop this from happening again. Not great preparation for the game against Inter.
Italian Cup AC Milan 1-1 Inter (AET)
The game went down to penalties. Maicon made his debut. Inter took the lead as Mertens was tackled in the box and the ball fell to Icardi and he fired it in. We equalised early in the second half with Bacbacar heading into the top corner from a De Sciglio cross. Gary Medel was sent off for Inter after 67 minutes but, we couldn't capitalise. Luiz Adriano made his return from the injury sustained in the last Milan derby very late on so that he could take a penalty
Babacar scores the first penalty continuing his great run of penalties
Hernanes beat Perin to level it up
Luiz Adriano beats Handanovic to justify the substitution
Miranda scores as Inter re level the spot kicks up
Berardi fires high into the corner Handanovic had no chance
Perin dives right to save Taider's penalty
Malcom steps up and fires past Handanovic Inter lose if they don't score
Kovacic steps up and fires his effort well wide AC Milan win on penalties
AC Milan 1-1 Inter (4-2) penalties
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AC Milan 1-1 Napoli
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Not the best result not the worst. We took the lead through Berardi as he seized on Reina spilling a Bonaventura shot. Napoli hit back minutes later. Higuain cut past a defender inside the box and fired past Perin. I wanted a win as we haven't had one in the last few games but, a point is a fair result.
Sampdoria 2-0 AC Milan
View attachment 231604Possible crisis four games without a win and three in the league. We look poor upfront and let in a couple of goals. Daria opened the scoring after getting lots of space in the box and somehow getting his shot past Perin. Zapata scored late on to confirm the defeat redirecting a Barreto shot sending Perin the wrong way. A win against Verona is vital as our lead has been cut to ten points.
AC Milan 4-1 Verona
View attachment 231603We get back to winning ways with a big win over Verona. Bonaventura flicking in a near post header from a De Sciglio cross. Fekir firing a low shot into the bottom corner to get his first league goal to extend our lead. A cross was half cleared to Bonaventura and he fired a low half volley into the bottom corner. We then let an unlucky goal as a shot hit Niang and went in as it wrong foots Perin. Babacar scored a late goal to finish the off the game heading in a Niang cross to wrap up the win. Hopefully it is a catalyst for a good February.
Table
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We have seen our lead cut to ten points which is big but, we still have to play almost all of our title rivals. 15 big games left for us in the league. Juve are also out of the Champions League places as it stands.
Finances
Somehow we have already earned more money this year than we did last year thanks to higher attendances, more games and Champions League football/prize money. However, we had spent quite a bit of more money than we did last season but, still looking good financially.
Transfer News
Bonaventura is wanted by Real Madrid and wants me to accept a bid if it comes in which I agreed to do however, whether I will or not remains to be seen.
Youngster
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Daniel Manzo who I signed from Cesena is rapidly improving and could maybe get some first team football at the end of the month.
We have a lot of big games in February Juve, Fiorentina in the cup semi final and league and our Champions League first leg game against Sporting.
