[han2503]

Serie A 2006/2007 - Day 37

Milan - Udinese

Saturday, 19th of May, 2007

Time: 17:00 (UK), 18:00 (IT)

This post has been edited by han2503: May 13 2007, 06:38 PM

[Tennie]

Hiho, all. I'm just back from Milan and will add my observations on the game. Apologies in advance if I don't make much sense, as I'm knackered and whacked out on painkillers (I broke two toes at the stadium and it is NOT fun hobbling around cobblestone streets afterward like that).

Anyway, as for things that stuck out.....

1. If you go to the San Siro, sitting on the Orange side is generally a good place to be. I was able to get Tribune seats from the Milan Point store and was sitting opposite the Milan bench. Behind the bench was the VIP area where the first team players were watching. I only realized it was them when, after Billy scored his goal, Pippo Inzaghi stood up on the railing and did the sort of cheer he usually does when HE scores.

2. The ovations for Billy. There were several of them. First was when the players came out for their warmups. Then when the teams came out (when Billy had his son with him). Then again when they took their places for kick-off. And of course a huge ovation when he scored the penalty. The roars were deafening when he was substituted and when he took his lap of honor. It was a really nice touch when the first team players all came out wearing Costacurta jerseys. (did anyone get a clip of that whole scene? Amazing, that. Seemed to me that Maldini and Nesta were the ringleaders of the 'toss Billy into the air' thing).

3. The Curva was in fine voice, for the entire game. There were a lot of cheers for Billy of course, but general cheering throughout the whole game. There were even chants of 'Juve Juve Vafancullo' when they showed the score of the Juve-Arezzo game on the screen (Juve 5-Arezzo 1). The Curva (as well as the rest of the crowd) didn't seem terribly upset or surprised that Milan lost. It was more of a 'let's celebrate Billy' attitude.

4. The kids. Granted, some of them looked a little shaky, but most of 'em hadn't seen a Serie A game all year. Di Gennaro had a couple of good runs and looks to be a talent for the future. Grimi...well, he started well but had some howler moves on defensive coverage. The one who impressed me (and the native Milanese sitting around me) was Darmian, who's a Berretti, not a Primavera. He looked pretty good, IMO, for a kid. The Milanese commented jokingly that it was nice to see him playing with the 'Grande' (which could either mean 'the grownups' or 'the first team'), to which one guy behind me commented jokingly, 'You think that Gourcuff is a Grande?'.

5. Oliveira. This guy lost or misplayed EVERY SINGLE BALL. He was horrible! Borriello wasn't spectacular but he at least tried. Can we give Oliveira to the Merda or something? I don't care if the team makes a loss, but this guy is useless.

6. Scarves for sale. There were several CL Final scarves on sale (t-shirts too), and one other scarf I found particularly amusing. Rough translation is: 'WE (in red and black) will be playing the CL Final on May 23. YOU (in blue and black) will be shopping in Milan.'

7. VIPs in the audience. Donadoni was there. Savicevic was there. I think Boban was there too. (side note: I saw Donadoni after the game in downtown Milan.)

In general, no, it wasn't the best of games in a pure footballing sense. But I don't think many people at the stadium were really expecting one. Everyone's thinking ahead to Athens. The game WAS, however, a fine send-off for Billy, and I'm glad I was there.

[milanista1899]

Hiho, all. I'm just back from Milan and will add my observations on the game. Apologies in advance if I don't make much sense, as I'm knackered and whacked out on painkillers (I broke two toes at the stadium and it is NOT fun hobbling around cobblestone streets afterward like that).

Anyway, as for things that stuck out.....

1. If you go to the San Siro, sitting on the Orange side is generally a good place to be. I was able to get Tribune seats from the Milan Point store and was sitting opposite the Milan bench. Behind the bench was the VIP area where the first team players were watching. I only realized it was them when, after Billy scored his goal, Pippo Inzaghi stood up on the railing and did the sort of cheer he usually does when HE scores.

2. The ovations for Billy. There were several of them. First was when the players came out for their warmups. Then when the teams came out (when Billy had his son with him). Then again when they took their places for kick-off. And of course a huge ovation when he scored the penalty. The roars were deafening when he was substituted and when he took his lap of honor. It was a really nice touch when the first team players all came out wearing Costacurta jerseys. (did anyone get a clip of that whole scene? Amazing, that. Seemed to me that Maldini and Nesta were the ringleaders of the 'toss Billy into the air' thing).

3. The Curva was in fine voice, for the entire game. There were a lot of cheers for Billy of course, but general cheering throughout the whole game. There were even chants of 'Juve Juve Vaffanculo' when they showed the score of the Juve-Arezzo game on the screen (Juve 5-Arezzo 1). The Curva (as well as the rest of the crowd) didn't seem terribly upset or surprised that Milan lost. It was more of a 'let's celebrate Billy' attitude.

4. The kids. Granted, some of them looked a little shaky, but most of 'em hadn't seen a Serie A game all year. Di Gennaro had a couple of good runs and looks to be a talent for the future. Grimi...well, he started well but had some howler moves on defensive coverage. The one who impressed me (and the native Milanese sitting around me) was Darmian, who's a Berretti, not a Primavera. He looked pretty good, IMO, for a kid. The Milanese commented jokingly that it was nice to see him playing with the 'Grande' (which could either mean 'the grownups' or 'the first team'), to which one guy behind me commented jokingly, 'You think that Gourcuff is a Grande?'.

5. Oliveira. This guy lost or misplayed EVERY SINGLE BALL. He was horrible! Borriello wasn't spectacular but he at least tried. Can we give Oliveira to the Merda or something? I don't care if the team makes a loss, but this guy is useless.

6. Scarves for sale. There were several CL Final scarves on sale (t-shirts too), and one other scarf I found particularly amusing. Rough translation is: 'WE (in red and black) will be playing the CL Final on May 23. YOU (in blue and black) will be shopping in Milan.'

7. VIPs in the audience. Donadoni was there. Savicevic was there. I think Boban was there too. (side note: I saw Donadoni after the game in downtown Milan.)

In general, no, it wasn't the best of games in a pure footballing sense. But I don't think many people at the stadium were really expecting one. Everyone's thinking ahead to Athens. The game WAS, however, a fine send-off for Billy, and I'm glad I was there.

(IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) Ouch! How did you do it? You should sue! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) I bet it wasn't fun, hope you get better soon (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Thanks, I'll remember that (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif) I knew the orange (east)side was opposite the red (west)side but I always figured it'd be better to be in the red side (more expensive though isn't it?) as you're closer to the bench & players, while still getting a good view of the pitch/game. I never thought about being able to see the players (at the bench) better from the orange side though. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

Yea it's in the video section - brilliant! That reminded me of Baresi's testimonial except that was in the dark I think (at the end).

Nice! We'll be able to shout that even more now that they're back (which I have mixed feelings about!)

Good point, I forgot about that.

My sentiments exactly!

I like it! did you get one?

Shame it was after you hurt yourself, or you could have maybe talked to him? (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) I remember one night I was out in town with my friends and saw Ranieri here in Lincoln! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif) I was like what are you doing here?! (I said to myself) Maybe for a break away from London (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif) and Lincoln is a historic town most known for it's Cathedral (It's where the Da Vinci code was shot, with Tom Hanks & directed by Ron Howard from Happy Days) It was when he was manager of Chelsea, he was with his wife I think and I spoke to him in Italian, was so nervous & forgot to ask him to get Abramovich to buy Rivaldo off us (he was useless) I said good luck with Chelsea & soon after that he was sacked (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)

Glad you were there too Tennie, thanks for the great story! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/king.gif)