About Ismael Bennacer; "Isma is a very sensitive boy, he was already crying two days ago, all the expressions of affection I received from my boys but also from the fans meant a lot to me, thanks to everyone." -- Stefano Pioli.
Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in. “For the first time in Australia, two of Italy's most historic football teams will come together to take the pitch for an exclusive match at Optus Stadium on Friday 31 May. Don't miss the opportunity to witness this once-in-a-lifetime event and experience the atmosphere of Italian football at its best.” AC Milan v Roma in Perth on Friday. I saw this a while back and put it out of my mind, but now the dreaded day is upon us. It’s not clear to me which players, including our two, will be participating. Pioli will not. “According to today’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport (see photo below), Pioli will not be the head coach during the friendly against Roma next week. Instead, Daniele Bonera will be in charge of the team as the new first-team manager should be appointed at the start of June. The game will take place in Perth, Australia, and kick-off is set for 13:00 CEST. Bonera is also expected to be in charge of the U23 team, should Milan register one for next season, and the friendly will thus be a good warm-up for him.”
There is no way Internationals will be there. Can't possibly be. Buyer Beware for those fans that got tickets.
Pulisic excused, but not Musah ... Goalkeepers: Nava, Sportiello, Torriani. Defenders: Bartesaghi, Calabria, Florenzi, Gabbia, Hernández, Kalulu, Jiménez, Simić, Terracciano, Thiaw, Tomori. Midfielders: Adli, Loftus-Cheek, Musah, Pobega, Reijnders, Zeroli. Forwards: Giroud, Jović, Okafor.
Musah played the second half, one of Milan’s six HT subs (including the GK), who helped turn a 2-1 HT deficit into a 5-2 defeat. Although both teams eventually made nine substitutions, Roma only subbed twice at halftime, by implication taking the match a bit more seriously. Still, I expect to read a withering critique of the Milan players’ performances later from SempreMilan.